2008 Saab 9-5: complaints, problems and recalls

THE 2008 SAAB 95 PASSENGER AIR BAG TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SITTING ON THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. IT SUPPOSEDLY IS SET FOR 90 LBS PRESSURE BUT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE OVER 120LBS. YOU MUST PULL YOURSELF DOWN WHILE SITTING IN THE SEAT TO KEEP AIR BAG FUNCTIONING. MY WIFE SAT IN OTHER 2008 95 SAAB'S AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS. THEY HAVE A FAULTY SWITCH ON THAT SEAT FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246389 at NHTSA ↗

I HAVE A 2008 9-5 SAAB AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF WHILE SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE CAR IS MOVING. THE SENSOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE SET TO TURN AIRBAG ON FOR 90 LBS BUT MY WIFE AND KIDS WEIGH ABOUT 120 LBS AND THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON IS TO PULL YOURSELF DOWN IN THE SEAT AND HOLD ON. I HAVE NOTIFIED SAAB ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY CANNOT FIX NOR DO THEY SEEM WILLING TO TRY. MY WIFE SAT IN OTHER 2008 9-5?S AND HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY WITNESSED THE PROBLEM SO IT IS NOT JUST …

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246609 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WOULD REMOVED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE FOR THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP . THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10573937 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE TRAVELING ON FREEWAY, IGNITION SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAR LOST ALL POWER. HAD TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER AND THEN RESTART CAR TO CONTINUE. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10614735 at NHTSA ↗

TAKATA RECALL- I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM IN THE MAIL IN MAY 2016 REGARDING A RECALL FOR MY AIRBAG. I CALLED THE NUMBER THEY HAD REFERENCED TWICE TO FIND OUT ABOUT USING A RENTAL VEHICLE WHILE WAITING FOR THE PART. I WAS TOLD THAT GM WAS NOT PROVIDING RENTAL CARS FOR THOSE CONSUMERS WHO WERE EFFECTED. SEEMS ODD TO ME THAT THEY SEND A LETTER STATING THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT THE INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH, YET DO NOT OFFER A SOLUTION. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVE OFFERED TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10875540 at NHTSA ↗

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10881213 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 97,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10895307 at NHTSA ↗

TAKATA RECALL. WHEN DO I GET MY AIRBAGS REPLACED? I HEARD FROM GM IN MARCH BUT THIS IS THE END OF AUGUST!!

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10898769 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2008-04-09 (April 9, 2008)

SAAB IS RECALLING 57,389 MY 2002-2008 9-5 SERIES VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING COMPLIANCE TESTING, ONE OF THE UPPER INTERIOR OCCUPANT PROTECTION TEST POINTS EXCEEDED THE STANDARD'S REQUIREMENTS.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A-PILLAR TRIM WITH IMPROVED ENERGY-ABSORBING CAPABILITY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 25, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.