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2005 Saab 9-5 problems

The most common problem on the 2005 Saab 9-5 is airbags. It has fewer complaints than a typical 9-5 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
74/100
Owner complaints
11
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
112
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
20-21mpg

The worst 2005 Saab 9-5 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Suspension
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Suspension
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Seats: front assembly: head restraintReported April 9, 2008 · 57,389 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.

Recall number 08V160000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported March 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 07V087000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2005 Saab 9-5

Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Saab 9-5 112

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 112 bulletins for the 2005 Saab 9-5

2005 Saab 9-5 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.3L 4‑cylFWD17-1826-2820-21

What 2005 Saab 9-5 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 17, 2012 · Airbags · 101,000 miles · MI · crash

I was involved with in an accident on friday december 14th, 2012. I was returning to work on my lunch break and a lady ran a red light, pulling out infront of me, and I ended up t-boning her going roughly 45mph. I was extremely disappointed that no air bags were deployed in such a severe head on collision. The car has been seen by the insurance company and they decided to total the vehicle. In such a violent accident I would expect the air bags to be deployed, especially when the accident was a front on collision that totaled my saab. I was taken to the er because I hit my head on the a frame and had major back and neck pain. This problem about the air bags not going off needs to be known, and I am very disappointed that this vehicle did not meet the basic standards for safety in a head on collision.

Filed Sep 20, 2012 · Fuel system · 122,000 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 9-5 saab. The contact stated that while traveling 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated repeatedly as the vehicle began to sputter and jerk. The contact then merged to the side of the road where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence and was later taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the fuel line failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileages were 122,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 19, 2012 · Engine · 77 miles · WA

Check engine light was sporadically on for about two weeks. On 7/14 coolant level low indication came on. Coolant reservoir was empty. Filled, started engine, coolant leaked in a steady stream from the car. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed ignition cassette as faulty and water valve (part servicing heater core) as faulty and the source of the leak. Check engine light was due to ignition cassette. Good there is a warning, but it could be more specific, as failure of this part shuts down the engine. Water valve leak could cause overheating. Both parts are critical and failure in a car with so little mileage is unacceptable. The ignition cassette for model years 1999-2002 was recalled due to overheating. This was reportedly fixed. Now the part that has failed in a fairly young car is not available through normal channels (saab parts USA) and shops are charging inflated prices for the part (in my case $850 as opposed to $465 list price; and my dealership claims they are not able to sell it for less. My extended warranty will not pay more than list and I am being asked to make up the difference). There is clearly a problem when a part standard to over a million vehicles is not available except from shops who have collected the parts in inventory and are now selling them on something not unlike a black market.

Filed May 14, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · 154,000 miles · VA

Running lights will not turn off, even after the car is stopped and the key is out of the ignition, causing the battery to run down.

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · 113,951 miles · PA

The ignition cassette needed to be replaced.

Filed Sep 9, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 95,000 miles · OH

The ignition cassette cracks causing ignition problems, stalling, acceleration problems. It makes it unpredictable. This is the same problem as the previous recall pasted below. Why does it not cover these other model years? The federal safety agency campaign number: 06v410000 www.the federal safety agency.dot.gov manufacturer saab cars USA, inc. Recall date: oct 23, 2006 potential number of units affected: 5078 description electrical system:ignition:module summary certain passenger vehicles equipped with b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads. Consequence overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash. Remedy dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to january 2003. The recall is expected to begin during december 2005. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007. Note: this recall is an expansion of a previous campaign (please see 05v399).

Filed Aug 15, 2011 · Body, Lights · 137,800 miles · NH

Because of improper design, rear wire harness for reverse lights are being severed causing the reversing lights not to work. This same design flaw can be attributed to the failure of brake lights and electronic trunk release/lock.

Filed May 31, 2011 · Airbags · 46,000 miles · MT · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 9-5 saab. The contact stated that while making a turn she crashed into a parked vehicle. The air bags did deploy after the crash occurred and the driver received injuries to her face and mouth. A police report was filed. She was not transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised her that the way the she crashed into the vehicle, the air bags would not deploy. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 07/18/11 *bf updated 3/6/12

Filed Oct 19, 2010 · Suspension · 45,000 miles · CA

Noticed abnormal / early rear tire wear. Noticed abnormal (out of manufacturers spec.) rear camber. Noticed rear suspension bottom out with moderate loads (approx 1/2 of max load). Oem rear tires cupped and required replacement prematurely due to abnormal rear camber. New tires installed. Rear aftermarket camber shims installed.

Filed Jul 18, 2010 · Suspension · 34,104 miles · MA

My 2005 saab 9-5 arc right front coil spring broke while my wife was driving the vehicle causing extensive tire damage. The vehicle is being repaired requiring the replacement of both coil springs along with the cv boot. The total cost for repairs is approximately $1200.00 along with the above repairs the tire was also replaced at a cost of $100.00.

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Questions about the 2005 Saab 9-5

Is the 2005 Saab 9-5 reliable?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2005 Saab 9-5, fewer than a typical 9-5 model year.

What is the 2005 Saab 9-5 year score?

The 2005 Saab 9-5 scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Saab 9-5: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Saab 9-5?

Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2005 Saab 9-5 have?

2 recalls, covering seats and fuel system, gasoline.

What year does the Saab 9-5 have bad airbags?

The Saab 9-5 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (19 complaints), 2006 (13 complaints) and 2007 (12 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Saab 9-5 get?

Official estimates for the 2005 Saab 9-5 range from 20 to 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.3L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17-18 city and 26-28 highway.

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