RoadVitals

2007 Saab 9-5

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
17
Latest Apr 13, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 3, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
1 currently open
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

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 Saab 9-5, most frequently naming the airbags, driver assistance and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 173 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1270.6%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Engine15.9%
  • Steering15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Feb 3, 2016
113,716 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
General Motors LLCManufacturer number 28810 and 28811View on NHTSA.gov

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

Apr 9, 2008
57,389 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
The 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.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.Manufacturer number E080101/15204View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA21002OpenEngineering Analysis

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Opened Sep 17, 2021

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Apr 13, 2023

My vehicle was on recall for Takata air bags. My vehicle was then installed with a new set of Takata airbags. Are not these airbags just as unsafe? Have not there been cases of the same issues happening to these airbags? Is my 2017 front passenger Airbag going to explode like a grenade and kill me? These are all questions I have, but I am told these airbags are safe. Yet I have seen lawsuits where someone died in another vehicle make but with 2017 Takata airbags as the cause of death and or injury. Should not my car have been replaced with non Takata brand airbags? Are any Takata airbags safe when compared to other brands?

NHTSA ID
11516910
Incident
Apr 13, 2023
Airbags
Filed Feb 6, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10949769
Incident
Feb 6, 2017
Airbags
Filed Jan 14, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. 2/3/17 WILL MARK 1 YR SINCE NOTIFICATION OF RECALL. GM SITE SAYS WORKING QUICKLY TO OBTAIN REPLACEMENT PARTS. USE OF ADVERB QUICKLY IS INAPPROPRIATE. I NEED TO KNOW RISK FACTOR AS MY WIFE AND I HAVE A LOADED PISTOL POINTED AT OUR HEADS EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. SHOULD WE DISABLE THE SRS SYSTEM? WHAT IS THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF DEATHS AND INJURIES FROM EXPLODING INFLATORS? ARE THEY REALLY CONCENTRATED IN HHAS OR IS THIS JUST ANOTHER OF TANAKA'S LIES? IS FATALITY/INJURY DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION AVAILABLE? IF NOT, WHY NOT? IF THIS AIRBAG MODULE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A NON-DEPLOYMENT DEFECT, WOULD GM HAVE THE REPLACEMENT REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE?

NHTSA ID
10945253
Incident
Feb 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 12, 2017

2007 SAAB 9-5. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECT WITH DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. RECALL # 16V063000. *LD

NHTSA ID
10943633
Incident
May 2, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jan 3, 2017

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAS NOW BEEN 11 MONTHS SINCE THIS RECALL WAS INITIATED AND STILL NO PARTS AVAILABLE. FEB 03,2016 MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER15041 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V063 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE

NHTSA ID
10939309
Incident
Feb 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Nov 25, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED THE ATTACHED LETTER IN MAY, 2016. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER, GM TELLS ME IT'S OK TO DRIVE. THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE. ATTACHED IS AN E-MAIL STRING OF MY CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR, IT'S IN STORAGE; AND I CAN'T SELL IT WITHOUT FULL DISCLOSURE, WHICH MAKES IT WORTHLESS. AND IT'S BEEN SIX MONTHS WITH NO INDICATION THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.

NHTSA ID
10927805
Incident
May 2, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 24, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM INFORMING ME OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY CAR IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR (2016). IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 8 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED BUT MY CAR'S AIRBAG SYSTEMS HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THERE HAS BEEN NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM GM ABOUT THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP WITH RESOLVING THIS MATTER. THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10918649
Incident
Oct 24, 2016
Airbags
Filed Oct 21, 2016

SUMMARY: IN SOME VEHICLES, THE DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR MAY EXPERIENCE AN ALTERATION OVER TIME, WHICH COULD LEAD TO OVERAGGRESSIVE COMBUSTION IN THE EVENT OF AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THIS CONDITION COULD CREATE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE WHEN THE AIR BAG IS DEPLOYED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE BODY OF THE INFLATOR RUPTURING UPON DEPLOYMENT. SAFETY RISK: IN THE EVENT OF AN INFLATOR RUPTURE, METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL, WHICH MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. REMEDY: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR ON SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THIS RECALL, FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ID
10917950
Incident
Oct 21, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIC5650M

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/or C0775.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

04-06-04-051J

ENGINE

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saab 9-5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012000
2011900
2010200
2009211
2008202147.9
2007Viewing172145.1
2006232143.2
2005112048.6
2004192046.3
2003474043.8
2002656158.9
20011044153.5
20001193154.1
19991182151.3
1998100
1994000
1972010
1971010
1970030
1969020
1968010
1967010
1965010

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.