1999 SAAB 9-5 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
157
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
19
Service Bulletins
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1999 SAAB 9-5
The 1999 SAAB 9-5 has received a total of 157 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with WHEELS:HUB, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS. 19 technical service bulletins have been issued by SAAB CARS USA, INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical Systemignitionmodule (42 complaints), Electrical System (23 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (22 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 SAAB 9-5
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1999 SAAB 9-5, potentially affecting up to 110,039 vehicles.
Recall 03V006000 — WHEELS:HUB
| 70,726 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 98V139000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 39,313 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 SAAB 9-5
157 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 SAAB 9-5. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING IN A SMOOTH STRAIGHTAWAY COUNTRY ROAD AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. NO OTHER CAS WERE AROUND AT THE TIME AND NOBODY GOT SERIOUSLY HURT, ONLY A MINOR BRUISE ON THE ARM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST HOWEVER, DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION ON WHAT CAUSED THE AIR BAG TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
MY VEHICLE WAS SOLD ORIGINALLY IN CALIFORNIA AND HAS BEEN A CALIFORNIA REGISTERED VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES. IT HAS REAR FOG LIGHTS INSTALLED WITH IT'S OWN SEPARATE SWITCH ON CLUSTER DASH FOR THEM . THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE 24602 FOG TAIL LAMPS OR REAR FOG LIGHTS. AS THE CODE STATES: 24602.(B)(3) THE EDGE OF THE LENS OF THE LAMP SHALL BE NO CLOSER THAN FOUR INCHES FROM THE EDGE OF THE LENS OF ANY STOP LAMP OR BRAKE. THIS VEHICLES REAR FOG LIGHT LENSES AND BRAKE LIGHT LENSES ARE RIGHT UP AGAINST EACH OTHER WITH NO SPACE GIVEN BETWEEN THEM. I HAVE ASKED THE MANUFACTURER OWNER ,WHICH WAS GENERAL MOTORS AT THE TIME TO REMEDY ISSUE. THEY HAVE DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE. I HAVE EXPLAINED THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES WHICH WAS WRITTEN INTO CALIFORNIA LAW FOR A PURPOSE. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN USING THEM WHEN WARRANTED ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS REQUIRE AND DO TO THEIR PLACEMENT IT CAN BE CONSTRUED AS IF THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AS COMING TO A STOP OR STOPPED. I VEHICLE BEHIND IT COULD PANIC BRAKE OR HARD STEER TO RIGHT OR LEFT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT . I HAVE ALSO WRITTEN TO THE ORIGINAL SALES DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE . YOUR ASSISTANCE AND INVESTIGATION INTO THIS APPRECIATED. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS A CRACK ABOUT 2 INCHES IN LENGTH ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE ON ROOF TOP. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES AND WOULD LIKE MY VEHICLE INVESTIGATED INTO ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER FILLED WITH OIL LEAKING FROM DEFECTIVE VACUUM PUMP RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE. DEFECTIVE ABS MODULE CAUSES BRAKES TO SUDDENLY LOCK UP IMMOBILIZING CAR. THIS IS A DESIGN FAILURE IN THE ELECTRONIC ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IN MY OPINION. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1999 SAAB 9-5
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 SAAB 9-5 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 SAAB 9-5
SAAB CARS USA, INC. has issued 19 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 SAAB 9-5. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
854 — STRUCTURE
ADDRESSING COMPLAINT OF NOISE CAUSED BY LEAVES ENTERING FAN HOUSING. *TT
411 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
EXPERIENCING RATTLING NOISE HEARD FROM CLUTCH DISC HUB ON VEHICLES WITH MANUAL GEARBOXES AS FROM VIN X3000655 - X3086621. *TT
3672249 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 838: DISTURBANCES DUE TO WIRING HARNESS PROVISIONS FOR CD CHANGER . CARS AFFECTED ARE WITHIN VIN RANGES X3020001 - Y3046149. *TT
8312218 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
IN CONNECTION WITH THE INTRODUCTION IN PRODUCTION OF A NEW SCREW FOR THE TRUNK (BOOT) LID HINGES, A SMALL OPENING IN ONE OF THE FASTENING HOLES TO THE WATER CHANNEL WAS SEALED. THIS OPENING WAS USED TO DRAIN WATER FROM THE TOP OF THE HINGE FASTENING TO THE WATER CHANNEL...
8552199 — STRUCTURE:BODY
CUSTOMER SATISFICATION CAMPAIGN 827 ON REPLACING THE C-PILLAR TRIM ON ALL WAGON MODELS WITHIN VIN RANGES X3020150 - X3090057. *TT
4322038 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 473 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ON VEHICLES WITHIN VIN SERIAL NO. RANGES X3000001 - X3023950. *TT
3832069 — STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 484 TO REPLACE THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SIREN ON VEHICLES WITHIN VIN SERIAL NO. RANGES X3000001 - X3001609. *TT
3712128 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONAL CASES WHERE THE WIRING HARNESS HAS COME TOO CLOSE TO THE ABS UNIT ON ALL VEHICLES WITHIN VIN X300853 - X3001441. *TT
371 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A SID THAT DISPLAYS TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED MESSAGE OR A PROBLEM WITH WINTER OR SPORT BUTTONS. *TT
248 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CHECK ENGINE LAMP ON AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P1230, P1240, P1251, P1530, P1614 IS FOUND. *TT
Showing 10 of 19 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 SAAB 9-5
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1999 SAAB 9-5.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 9-5
- 1994 SAAB 9-5 — 0 complaints
- 1998 SAAB 9-5 — 1 complaint
- 1999 SAAB 9-5 (current)
- 2000 SAAB 9-5 — 121 complaints
- 2001 SAAB 9-5 — 113 complaints
- 2002 SAAB 9-5 — 74 complaints
- 2003 SAAB 9-5 — 69 complaints
- 2004 SAAB 9-5 — 30 complaints