VehicleVerdict

2003 Saab 9-5 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 69 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.3 times the median 9-5 year — the 2003 model ranks #5 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 45% of all reports (31 of 69), far ahead of engine at 9.

69

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other 9-5 years?

9-5 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 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, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-5 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Saab 9-5 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System3145%
Engine913%
Fuel System710%
Suspension57%
Tires & Wheels57%
Transmission34%
Body & Structure23%
Other23%
Speed Control23%
Seats11%
Seat Belts11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2003 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

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

08V160000SeatsApril 9, 2008 · 57,389 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

07V087000Fuel SystemMarch 7, 2007 · 94,377 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence

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.

06V410000Electrical SystemOctober 26, 2006 · 5,078 units

Defect

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).

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD BEEN ON- MY MECHANIC SAID THERE WAS A RECALL (WHICH I VERIFIED ON YOUR SITE), YET WHEN I TOOK IT TO SAAB (AND CALLED), THEY SAID MY PARTICULAR VIN # WAS NOT COVERED. AMAZING COINCIDENCE THAT THE EXACT PART THAT WAS RECALLED GOT REPLACED??!! PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 11, 2008

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND I HAD TO QUICKLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO SAAB DEALER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A FAULT IN DI CASSETTE. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 1, 2006

“CAR RUNS PERFECTLY AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WILL RANDOMLY STALL. IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT THE CAR WILL START RIGHT BACK UP AFTER YOU TURN OFF THE KEY AND RESTART. SOMETIMES EVERY COUPLE OF MILES, AND CAN GO SEVERAL MILES WITHOUT THE STALL. SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN AT CONSTANT SPEEDS.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 30, 2009

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-5 EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN N5000 TIRES (N/A). WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, HE WAS INFORMED THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BOTH HAD VERY LARGE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRES HAD NOT BEEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · September 22, 2010

“THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LOADED ANYWHERE NEAR IS GVWR AND MAINTAIN ITS ORIGINAL RIDE HEIGHT (OR ANYTHING CLOSE TO THE UNLOADED RIDE HEIGHT) AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN LOADED THE CAMBER SHIFTS (DUE TO THE REAR SUSPENSION TYPE) VERY NEGATIVE CAUSING POOR HANDLING AND EXTREME TIRE WEAR ON THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · August 27, 2005

2003 Saab 9-5 — common questions

Is the 2003 Saab 9-5 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 69 complaints put the 2003 model at #5 of 21 9-5 years. It is one of the 9-5 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 9-5 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (31 complaints), engine (9 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints).

Does the 2003 Saab 9-5 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Saab 9-5. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.