2006 Saab 9-5: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 23 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact recieved notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called the putnam buick pontiac gmc dealer (198 california drive, burlingame, ca 94010; 650-342-9500) and was informed that the parts were not available and that there was an extensive backorder on the parts needed for the repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
“Takata recall.I no longer have this vehicle,it was actually my daughters car but I was the co signer for her loan.this vehicle was traded in at van horn in fon du lac ,wi at least a year and a half ago.we have called people including contacting gm online saying we no longer have this car yet we keep getting recall info!!please contact van horn to see what they did with this car.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Takata recall. Received the first recall letter involving the takata airbag inflators back in may 24, 2016. The car dealer will not fix the problem unless I get the second letter which, as of yet, I haven't received”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the parts for the recall repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 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 notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2006 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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2016
“The headlights of this car is so weak that I could not see the road when I was driving in the dark. I did polish the outside of the lights box but it did not make any difference. I replaced the lights with saab but it is still very hard to see the road in the dark.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jul 2015
“This car had a simultaneous failure involving the steering, xenon headlamps and power train, specifically the all wheel drive system. All systems need to be replaced but gm has not made replacement parts available, has not corrected production errors in current parts. Current parts on market fail with 10000 miles.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2014
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2006 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 9-5 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Saab 9-5 reliable?
NHTSA has 23 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Saab 9-5. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2006 Saab 9-5 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.