RoadVitals

2006 Saab 9-5 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jul 25, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2006 Saab 9-5, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags1346.4%
  • Electrical310.7%
  • Engine310.7%
  • Exterior lighting27.1%
  • Brakes27.1%
  • Driver assistance13.6%
  • Powertrain (other)13.6%
  • Steering13.6%
  • Tires & wheels13.6%
  • Visibility13.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

13
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL.I NO LONGER HAVE THIS VEHICLE,IT WAS ACTUALLY MY DAUGHTERS CAR BUT I WAS THE CO SIGNER FOR HER LOAN.THIS VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN AT VAN HORN IN FON DU LAC ,WI AT LEAST A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.WE HAVE CALLED PEOPLE INCLUDING CONTACTING GM ONLINE SAYING WE NO LONGER HAVE THIS CAR YET WE KEEP GETTING RECALL INFO!!PLEASE CONTACT VAN HORN TO SEE WHAT THEY DID WITH THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID 11234819 · filed Jul 25, 2019

2006 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

NHTSA ID 11097409 · filed May 22, 2018
All 13 reports naming airbags

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CAR SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY.EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO SHOULDER AND RE START. I TOOK THE CAR TO SAAB DEALER AND THEY COULD NO FIND ANYTHING. I LATER TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER SAAB DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW DEVICE (BELIEVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH COMPUTER) AND SAID THAT IF THAT DID NOT TAKE CARE OF PROBLEM, THEY DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER. THERE WERE NO FURTHER ISSUES UNTIL MAYBE 2 YEARS LATER, ALSO SHUT OFF WHILE COMING OFF A RAMP BUT THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO LOW FUEL ACCORDING TO DEALER (MY FUEL WAS LOW). THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FURTHER INCIDENTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10604642 · filed Jun 19, 2014

UNKNOWN- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME OF REPLACEMENT THE ACTUAL PART HAS MELTED, BURNED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. THE PART IS MELTING AGAIN MAKING THIS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT IN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. ENGINE - EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ALL SAAB AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN NORTHERN CA. STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO BEING ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART OUT OF STATE IN CHICAGO AT QUALITY AUTO PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10510972 · filed May 7, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE MISFIRING, DUE TO COMMON DI CASSETTE ISSUES THAT PLAGUED OTHER MODELS, SOME OF WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. THIS SHOULDN'T FAIL AFTER ON 60,000, REGARDLESS OF AGE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN IT'S EXORBITANT COST. THANKFULLY IT HASN'T FAILED ME ON THE HIGHWAY (YET). *TR

NHTSA ID 10522549 · filed Jul 1, 2013

UNKNOWN- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE UNIT HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. EACH TIME OF REPLACEMENT THE ACTUAL PART HAS MELTED, BURNED OUT CAUSING THE CAR TO AUTOMATICALLY SHUT DOWN. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 MILES. THE PART IS MELTING AGAIN MAKING THIS THE FOURTH REPLACEMENT IN A 3 MONTH PERIOD. ENGINE - EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ALL SAAB AUTHORIZED DEALERS IN NORTHERN CA. STATE THEY ARE UNABLE TO GET PART DUE TO BEING ON BACK ORDER AND NO IDEA WHEN THE PART WILL BE AVAILABLE. BUT I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PART OUT OF STATE IN CHICAGO AT QUALITY AUTO PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ID 10510972 · filed May 7, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.

NHTSA ID 10758592 · filed Aug 22, 2015

THE HEADLIGHTS OF THIS CAR IS SO WEAK THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN THE DARK. I DID POLISH THE OUTSIDE OF THE LIGHTS BOX BUT IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE. I REPLACED THE LIGHTS WITH SAAB BUT IT IS STILL VERY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD IN THE DARK.

NHTSA ID 10743352 · filed Jul 24, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, CAR WOULDN'T STOP. WAS ABLE TO STOP CAR BY PUSHING EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10298139 · filed Jan 4, 2010

NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEAD TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS MARGINALLY FUNCTIONAL AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW. THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS BEGAN TO WEAR SHOWING VISIBLE GROOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 1200 MILES WHILE THE FRONT ROTORS STILL SHOW NO SIGNS OF WEAR OR GROOVING AT 4800 MILES. IMPROPER BRAKE PERFORMANCE IS FURTHER EVIDENCED BY THE RAPID ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST ON THE SURFACE OF THE REAR WHEELS WND ONLY SLIGHT ACCUMULATION OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS. THE VEHICLE IS ALSO QUITE UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO KEEP WITHIN THE TRAFFIC LANE DURING EMERGENCY BRAKING MANEUVERS FROM SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH OR HIGHER. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REPORTED THAT OTHERS HAVE FILED THE SAME COMPLAINT. THE FRONT/REAR BRAKING FORCE IS AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED BY THE VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE IS LEASED TO ME UNDER A THREE YEAR CONTRACT. I THEREFORE HAVE NO OPTION TO SELL IT OR TERMINATE THE LEASE AND AM LEGALLY BOUND TO MAINTAIN PAYMENTS ON THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER 36 MONTHS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10162871 · filed Jul 19, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2006 SAAB 9-5 WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE BROKE, SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. MINOR PROBLEMS ARE RADIO GRILL POPPING OUT AND HEAT COMES ON IN THE SUMMER AND COLD AIR COMES IN THE WINTER. *KB

NHTSA ID 10213949 · filed Jan 3, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.

NHTSA ID 10758592 · filed Aug 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAD A SIMULTANEOUS FAILURE INVOLVING THE STEERING, XENON HEADLAMPS AND POWER TRAIN, SPECIFICALLY THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM. ALL SYSTEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT GM HAS NOT MADE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE, HAS NOT CORRECTED PRODUCTION ERRORS IN CURRENT PARTS. CURRENT PARTS ON MARKET FAIL WITH 10000 MILES.

NHTSA ID 10758592 · filed Aug 22, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE CHAMPION HR TIRES, SIZE: 235/45R/17 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALLS OF TWO TIRES WERE CRACKED. FIRESTONE INSPECTED THE TIRES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTACT RAN OVER THE UTILITY, WHICH CAUSED THE CRACKS. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

NHTSA ID 10743357 · filed Jul 24, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2006 SAAB 9-5 WITH MULTIPLE PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE THROTTLE BROKE, SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. MINOR PROBLEMS ARE RADIO GRILL POPPING OUT AND HEAT COMES ON IN THE SUMMER AND COLD AIR COMES IN THE WINTER. *KB

NHTSA ID 10213949 · filed Jan 3, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .