Known Recalls

Model year record

1999 SAAB 9-5

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 157 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V006000

Wheels: hub

Component
Wheels: hub
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
70,726
Reported to NHTSA
2003-01-13
Owners notified
2003-03-31

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IF AN OWNER CHANGES THEIR WHEELS/TIRES BETWEEN SUMMER AND WINTER USING A STEEL WHEEL IN THE WINTER AND AN ALLOY WHEEL IN THE SUMMER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR RUST AND CONTAMINATION TO BUILD UP ON THE WHEEL HUB DURING THE STEEL WHEEL USAGE. IF THIS OCCURS AND THE CONTAMINATION IS NOT REMOVED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AFTER THE TIRE CHANGE SERVICE, SOME OF THIS CONTAMINATION COULD FLAKE OR GRIND AWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB. OVER SEVERAL SEASONS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS REDUCED FORCE COULD RESULT IN FRACTURES DEVELOPING IN THE WHEEL BOLTS DUE TO WHEEL TO HUB MOVEMENT.

Safety risk

THESE FRACTURES WOULD RESULT IN WHEEL BOLT BREAKAGE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE CONTACTED BY MAIL AND ASKED WHETHER THEY CHANGE BETWEEN STEEL AND ALLOY WHEELS. IF THEY DO ENGAGE IN THIS PRACTICE, THEY WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR CARS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE WHEELS, CLEAN ANY CONTAMINATION FROM THE WHEEL AND WHEEL HUB, AND REPLACE THE WHEELS USING NEW IMPROVED BOLTS WITH ATTACHED WASHERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V139000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
39,313
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-23
Owners notified
1998-09-01

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition: module4273,897 mi
Electrical system2374,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition2265,612 mi
Engine and engine cooling567,187 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine462,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly474,349 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery3108,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly320,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum371,000 mi
Tires3111,000 mi
Wheels: hub3103,754 mi
Air bags284,500 mi
Air bags: side/window2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline296,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger253,000 mi
Exterior lighting2108,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2115,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module295,000 mi
Child seat1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1108,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys150,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger178,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)195,000 mi
Equipment1140,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.174,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift184,783 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump160,564 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Parking brake1—
Power train170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1186,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Service brakes, air: antilock170,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Structure1100,000 mi
Structure: body1160,166 mi
Suspension: rear1115,000 mi
Unknown153,000 mi
Unknown or other186,300 mi
Vehicle speed control129,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1115,000 mi
Visibility1108,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system178,000 mi

The 1998 model has 157 times as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.