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.
The worst 2011 Saab 9-5 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Lights5
- Brakes2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Lights5
- Brakes2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2011 Saab 9-5 124
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size...
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or...
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
2011 Saab 9-5 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-20 | 28-32 | 21-24 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | AWD | 17 | 27 | 20 |
What 2011 Saab 9-5 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 saab 9-5. The contact received a recall notification of the federal safety agency 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.
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.
About once a month since about 10,000 miles I have had to replace one of the rear brake light socket assemblies because the plastic insert that holds the light bulb is melting. When it heats and melts, its shape slightly distorts disconnecting the connection between the light bulb and the light bulb holder. Thank goodness there are replacement parts on ebay but having to spend an extra 20 bucks every other month seems ridiculous and certainly something worthy to look into as a recall.
The rear tail lights overheat, causing the bulbs to burn out and wiring to melt. We have had the bulbs and sockets replaced multiple times on both sides since 2013, but the only thing that fixes the problem is replacing the entire assembly. Just had the socket and bulb for passenger side replaced twice in one month, and it is gone again.
Electronic emergency brake does not completely release. Noticed by excessive wear on rear brake pads/rotors, vibration when braking and poor gas mileage.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 saab 9-5. The contact stated that the check rear taillight warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that both tail light bulb sockets needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 22,000.
Compare the 2011 Saab 9-5
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Questions about the 2011 Saab 9-5
Is the 2011 Saab 9-5 reliable?
Owners have filed 9 complaints about the 2011 Saab 9-5, fewer than a typical 9-5 model year.
What is the 2011 Saab 9-5 year score?
The 2011 Saab 9-5 scores 87 out of 100 (good). 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 2011 Saab 9-5?
Lights, with 5 complaints. Next is brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 2011 Saab 9-5 have?
No recalls on record.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Saab 9-5 get?
Official estimates for the 2011 Saab 9-5 range from 20 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 28-32 highway.
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