RoadVitals

2011 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.
9
Latest Dec 8, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
6
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 2011 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

  • Exterior lighting545.5%
  • Brakes218.2%
  • Airbags19.1%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Steering19.1%

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

Exterior lighting

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

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PREMATURE WEAR (BURN-OUT) OF THE HALOGEN-STYLE LIGHT BULBS IN EACH OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS (THE HALOGEN LIGHTS SERVE AS BOTH A TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT). THE HALOGEN LIGHTS APPEAR TO BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTING/FUSING TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE RISK. THERE IS PREMATURE RUST FORMING ON THE TRUNK LID ASWELL.

NHTSA ID 11156954 · filed Dec 8, 2018

SINCE 35,000 MILES, I AM CONSTANTLY GETTING NOTIFICATION ERRORS TO A REPLACE REAR TURN SIGNAL WITH EACH USAGE OF IT. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE SIGNAL BLINKING IS OVERAGGRESSIVE, ANNOUNCING ITS MALFUNCTION TO MY FELLOW ROAD COMPANIONS AND TRAFFIC AUTHORITIES WHO THEN POLITELY TELL ME MULTIPLE TIME A DAY THAT MY TURN SIGNAL IS ABOUT TO GO OUT. ALTHOUGH I APPRECIATE THIS, I HAVE REPLACED THE BULB MULTIPLE TIMES TO RULE OUT FAULTY BULBS. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ISSUE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. THE TURN SIGNAL BLINKS AT 160+ CLICKS PER MINUTE VERSUS THE ACCEPTED 80 CPM. THE BLUB AND SOCKET ARE MELTING TOGETHER. I HAVE LOOKED AT FORUMS AND MANY ARE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, CONSIDERING USING TURN SIGNALS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR MANEUVERS WE MAKE IN OUR VEHICLES AND TO KEEP OURSELVES, AND OTHERS, ESPECIALLY OUR PASSENGERS, OUR LOVED ONES SAFE ON THE ROAD, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

NHTSA ID 10852417 · filed Mar 30, 2016

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

MY 2011 SAAB 9-5 IS CURRENTLY IN THE SAAB REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL REPLACED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT RETURN TO ITS PROPER POSITION AND WAS LOCKING THE BRAKES ON AND ALSO LOCKING THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON. IT FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE A FLAT TIRE AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS HOLDING IT BACK. IN MY CASE I RUINED THE BRAKE ROTORS AND DISCS AS THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. THIS COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE AND MADE THE CAR HARD TO HANDLE AND OF COURSE REDUCED THE PROPER BRAKING ABILITY. GM SHOULD PUT OUT AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CASES LIKE MINE. IT TOOK A LONG TIME FOR ME TO BE AWARE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN A YEAR AND IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. MOSTLY IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY. GM SAFETY RECALL NEEDED NOW! CONTACT SAAB IM AUTOHAUS, 551 N WASHINGTON ST, FALLS CHURCH, VA 22046, AT (703) 534-0770, FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA ID 11124540 · filed Sep 5, 2018

ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT COMPLETELY RELEASE. NOTICED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AND POOR GAS MILEAGE.

NHTSA ID 10806185 · filed Nov 23, 2015

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

Airbags

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID 10862214 · filed Apr 29, 2016

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

PREMATURE WEAR (BURN-OUT) OF THE HALOGEN-STYLE LIGHT BULBS IN EACH OF THE REAR TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHTS (THE HALOGEN LIGHTS SERVE AS BOTH A TURN SIGNAL AND BRAKE LIGHT). THE HALOGEN LIGHTS APPEAR TO BURN OUT EVERY 4-6 MONTHS. THE BULBS ARE CREATING EXCESSIVE HEAT WITHIN THE LIGHT HOUSING AND MELTING/FUSING TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING. I BELIEVE THIS IS POTENTIALLY A FIRE RISK. THERE IS PREMATURE RUST FORMING ON THE TRUNK LID ASWELL.

NHTSA ID 11156954 · filed Dec 8, 2018

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

HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEEL TURNED ALMOST AT LOCK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE DEPRESSION. READING ANY SAAB FORUM I COULD, AND SPEAKING TO DEALERS AND READING SERVICE BULLETINS IN RELATION TO THIS CAR, ALL OTHER SAAB VEHICLES WITH THE HALED 4.0 SYSTEM WHICH DEBUTED ON THE SAAB 9-3 TURBOX, IT IS VERY EVIDENT THIS IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. FROM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, EVERY OWNER OF A SAAB THAT HAD THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROVIDED BY HALDEX HAS THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE INABILITY TO DRIVE ONCE THE SYSTEM SHUTS ITSELF OFF, OR LOCKS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE OWNERS STRANDED OR CAUSE THE PROP-SHAFT TO BIND, THEN LOCK AT SPEED AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO BIND AND HOP AND LOCK CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE DEALERS HAVE ADMITTED TO THE SYSTEM HAVING DESIGN FLAWS AND UPDATED PARTS AND REDESIGNED COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED MULTIPLE TIMES. IF THIS IS AN ADMITTED DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS DEALERS ARE CHARGING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX ISSUES THAT ARE IMMINENT AND NOT AT THE FAULT OF THE OWNERS. QUOTES TO FIX THIS ISSUE RANGE FROM $3-7,000 AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND COVERED FOR REPAIRS FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON XWD ISSUES ON GOOGLE CAN BRING UP DOZENS OF FORUM LINKS WITH LARGE COUNTS OF PAGE NUMBERS FOR EACH OF COMPLAINING OWNERS LISTING THEIR ISSUES AND DISCREPANCIES AND PRICES TO FIX THIS BOGUS ISSUE CAUSED BY A FLAWED DESIGN.

NHTSA ID 10726594 · filed Jun 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

HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEEL TURNED ALMOST AT LOCK EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT WITH VERY LITTLE THROTTLE DEPRESSION. READING ANY SAAB FORUM I COULD, AND SPEAKING TO DEALERS AND READING SERVICE BULLETINS IN RELATION TO THIS CAR, ALL OTHER SAAB VEHICLES WITH THE HALED 4.0 SYSTEM WHICH DEBUTED ON THE SAAB 9-3 TURBOX, IT IS VERY EVIDENT THIS IS NOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. FROM WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, EVERY OWNER OF A SAAB THAT HAD THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM PROVIDED BY HALDEX HAS THESE CATASTROPHIC FAILURES OF THE SYSTEM CAUSING THE INABILITY TO DRIVE ONCE THE SYSTEM SHUTS ITSELF OFF, OR LOCKS WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE OWNERS STRANDED OR CAUSE THE PROP-SHAFT TO BIND, THEN LOCK AT SPEED AND CAUSE THE REAR WHEELS TO BIND AND HOP AND LOCK CAUSING A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. THE DEALERS HAVE ADMITTED TO THE SYSTEM HAVING DESIGN FLAWS AND UPDATED PARTS AND REDESIGNED COMPONENTS HAVE BEEN RELEASED MULTIPLE TIMES. IF THIS IS AN ADMITTED DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS DEALERS ARE CHARGING THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX ISSUES THAT ARE IMMINENT AND NOT AT THE FAULT OF THE OWNERS. QUOTES TO FIX THIS ISSUE RANGE FROM $3-7,000 AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND COVERED FOR REPAIRS FOR THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON XWD ISSUES ON GOOGLE CAN BRING UP DOZENS OF FORUM LINKS WITH LARGE COUNTS OF PAGE NUMBERS FOR EACH OF COMPLAINING OWNERS LISTING THEIR ISSUES AND DISCREPANCIES AND PRICES TO FIX THIS BOGUS ISSUE CAUSED BY A FLAWED DESIGN.

NHTSA ID 10726594 · filed Jun 22, 2015

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 .