VehicleVerdict

1999 Saab 9-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 157 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 14.3 times the median 9-5 year — the 1999 model ranks #1 of 21 9-5 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 58% of all reports (91 of 157), far ahead of engine at 17.

157

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1999 compare to other 9-5 years?

9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted157 complaints1965: 0 complaints1967: 0 complaints1968: 0 complaints1969: 0 complaints1970: 0 complaints1971: 0 complaints1972: 0 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 157 complaints2000: 140 complaints2001: 141 complaints2002: 89 complaints2003: 69 complaints2004: 30 complaints2005: 15 complaints2006: 29 complaints2007: 17 complaints2008: 21 complaints2009: 2 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 11 complaints
9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1999 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1999 Saab 9-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9158%
Engine1711%
Brakes96%
Fuel System85%
Tires & Wheels64%
Other43%
Transmission43%
Airbags43%
Seat Belts32%
Lighting21%
Body & Structure21%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Speed Control21%
Suspension11%
Steering11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

03V006000Tires & WheelsJanuary 13, 2003 · 70,726 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

98V139000OtherJune 23, 1998 · 39,313 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MY SON JUST PASSED HIS DRIVERS TEST AND WE WERE GOING HOME WHEN THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISES AND THEN STALLED. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE CAR AND SMELLED LIKE BURNT RUBBER. MY SON LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE (AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT). LIFTED HOOD THOUGHT CAR OVERHEATED. I TRIED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 30, 2007 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE DISPLAY CAME ON, BUT BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP (VILLAGE SAAB,ACTON, MA), AND TOLD I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. OIL ALWAYS CHANGED WITHIN SPECIFIED PARAMETERS, W/ 76K MI. SAAB NOTES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 28, 2005

“SAAB 1999 WAGON- PRIOR TO EVENT COMPUTER INDICATED REAR LIGHT FAILURE. THEN BRAKE FAILURE OCCURED, AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. CAR COULD NOT BE STOPPED, COLLISION WITH HIGHWAY WALL. CAR DESTROYED. NO INJURIES. *JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 24, 2005 · crash

“BRAKES FAILED ON 1999 SAAB 9-5. PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A VACUUM FAILURE IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. APPARENTLY THE VACUMM PUMPED OIL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER THUS CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. FUEL STORAGE TANK HAS HAD A LEAK IN THE UPPER SEAM WHICH EMITS GAS FUMES WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 9, 2005

“VIBRATION AFTER CHANGING TIRES. HAD REBALANCED 3 TIMES AND NOTHING HELPED. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED FOR SUSPENSION PROBLEMS, NOTHING WAS FOUND. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL OTHER SAAB OWNERS, I REALIZED THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS EXPERIENCEING THIS. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 26, 2005

1999 Saab 9-5 — common questions

Is the 1999 Saab 9-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 157 complaints put the 1999 model at #1 of 21 9-5 years. It is one of the 9-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1999 9-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (91 complaints), engine (17 complaints), brakes (9 complaints).

Does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 Saab 9-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1999 Saab 9-5 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9-5 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9-5 years to avoid are 1999, 2001, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009. The cleanest record among 9-5 years belongs to 1972.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.