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Research · Midsize Cars

1999 Saab 9-5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 117 owner complaints for the 1999 Saab 9-5. Most complaints involve electrical system (69) and engine and engine cooling (17). The EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–22mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jan 2003
Owner complaints
117
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Wheels: hub

Free remedy

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.

WheelsReported Jan 13, 2003NHTSA 03V006000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

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."

EquipmentReported Jun 23, 1998NHTSA 98V139000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

117 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 1999 – Sep 2018
  1. Electrical system69
  2. Engine and engine cooling17
  3. Fuel system, gasoline8
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  5. Equipment5
  6. Air bags4
  7. Tires3
  8. Wheels3
  9. Exterior lighting2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 9-5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1999117
2000102
200182
200265
200349
200419
200511
200623
200717
200820
20092
20102
20119
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

69 reports1 fire
“ALL OF THESE REPAIRS IN ABOUT A TWO YEAR PERIOD: ABS MODULE, OIL COOLER, THROTTLE BODY, UPPER RADIATOR HOSE, AND BOTH DIC CASSETTES. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY A $40K CAR. I HAVE LOVED SAAB'S SINCE MY CHILDHOOD, BUT THIS ONE CAR HAS COMPLETELY TURNED ME OFF OF THEM. FIRST THE ABS MODULE WENT, HAD IT REBUILT ($150) AND NO IMPROVEMENT. SO I BOUGHT A NEW ONE ($350). THEN JUST AFTER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY DIED ($450). THEN JUST A FEW MONTHS LATER THE OIL COOLER ($1100) WENT OUT. IT RAN SMOOTH FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT THEN BOTH DIC'S DIED AT THE SAME TIME ($850). IT IS TIME FOR THIS CAR TO GO AWAY, AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER SAAB. WHY IS THERE A RECALL ON THE DIC FOR ALL SUBSEQUENT YEARS, BUT NO THE 1999'S? THANK SAAB!!! *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10432601

Engine and engine cooling

17 reports
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN SHE STARTS HER VEHICLE, IT MOVES SLUGGISHLY AND MAKES NOISE. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR REMAINS ILLUMINATED AND AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUMES EXIT THE EXHAUST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE IGNITION CASSETTE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND WAS HARMING THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2008Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10252814

Fuel system, gasoline

8 reports
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2006Fuel system, gasolineODI 10165214
All 1999 9-5 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl turbo · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
9-5
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850404
9-5 Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,850404
9-5 Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,100444
9-5
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,300468
9-5
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,300468
9-5 Wagon
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
  • 9-5
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 9-5 Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 9-5 Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 9-5
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L, Turbo
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 9-5
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 9-5 Wagon
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1999 Saab 9-5 as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1999 9-5 questions

How many recalls does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

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

Owners filed 117 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (69), engine and engine cooling (17), fuel system, gasoline (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1999 Saab 9-5 get?

The EPA rates the 1999 Saab 9-5 at 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026