- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2008 Saab 9-5 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2008 Saab 9-5 with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (19) and the electrical system (2). It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in February 2016 for the inflator module. For comparison, the 2007 has 17 and the 2009 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 9-5 year, for its age
#216 most complained-about 2008 vehicle
- Complaints
- 20
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2008 Saab 9-5 problems
Share of all 20 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2008 Saab 9-5 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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20 complaints about the 2008 Saab 9-5
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
I had my airbag replaced on recall several years ago. I now have an error alert on my dash indicating an air bag problem. My service technician tells me there are no parts available. What alternatives are available for me, besides drive an unsafe car or junk it (probably illegal to sell )
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact received 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 had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Recall initiated in feb 2016, notification received from gm in may of 2016, repair is still not available after 10 months from date of recall.
Takata recall - although the recall began february 3, 2016, it has still not been completed. Given the danger of being hit with shrapnel, the situation should be remedied immediately!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 03/03/17*lj *cn
I received this recall notice in may of 2016. The recall was actually in february of 2016. I am being told now that the parts will not be available until some time in the first quarter of 2017. The recall states the issue may "result in injury or death to vehicle occupants". Because of this I will not have anyone in my family drive this car. I can no longer be without this car and feel it is only right that we are provided a fully paid rental car until ours can be properly repaired. This recall is #15041.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The vin was unknown. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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. Parts distribution disconnect.
I have been waiting for long time for an air bag replacement from general motors where I purchased my car.
Takata recall - we received a recall notice in may. We live in sc. The nearest saab dealer to us is in jacksonville, fl. We've called several times and they don't have the parts nor any information as to when they will get them. Saab customer service has no info either. What is the holdup? We have a family member in upstate ny who is gravelly ill and need to travel up there.
Takata recall. When do I get my airbags replaced? I heard from gm in march but this is the end of august!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 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.
Takata recall- I received a letter from gm in the mail in may 2016 regarding a recall for my airbag. I called the number they had referenced twice to find out about using a rental vehicle while waiting for the part. I was told that gm was not providing rental cars for those consumers who were effected. Seems odd to me that they send a letter stating they are concerned about my safety and that the inflator could rupture resulting in injury or death, yet do not offer a solution. This is not acceptable. Other car...
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manufacturers have offered their customers a rental vehicle. Why not gm? I was told it was my decision if I wanted to continue driving my vehicle. Obviously I need to drive if I want to continue my job! There was no timeframe as to when the part would be available, so I guess I just have to cross my fingers every time I get in my car and hope that nothing happens.
While traveling on freeway, ignition suddenly shut off and car lost all power. Had to steer to the side of the road without power and then restart car to continue. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 saab 9-5. The contact stated that when he would removed the key out of the ignition, the vehicle would not turn off. The dealer was contacted and the technician diagnosed that the ignition switch was defective and needed to be replaced. In addition, the air bag warning lamp illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnosed the failure for the air bag warning lamp . The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired for the ignition switch. The failure mileage was 30,000 and the current mileage was 52,000.
I have a 2008 9-5 saab and the passenger airbag turns itself on and off while someone is sitting in the seat and the car is moving. The sensor is supposed to be set to turn airbag on for 90 lbs but my wife and kids weigh about 120 lbs and the only way to keep the airbag sensor on is to pull yourself down in the seat and hold on. I have notified saab about this issue and they cannot fix nor do they seem willing to try. My wife sat in other 2008 9-5?S and had the same problem at the dealerships and they witnessed...
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the problem so it is not just our car. I hope someone at saab/gm will take this up and get it fixed before someone is killed or hurt due to faulty airbags on all 2008 9-5 models! The problem is that the sensor is located such that the weight of the person sitting in the seat is distributed away from the sensor and the ?Repair? Noted in their manual does not work. They do not have this problem in their other line of cars as they have different sensors. The local dealership notified me that they know gm also has this problem in their line of vehicles with the same sensor/seat probe. I hope by getting this information out to the public, no one will be hurt or killed in a crash involving a 2008 9-5 saab when the airbag does not deploy because the person is less than 140 lbs and sitting in the front passenger seat. *Tr
The 2008 saab 95 passenger air bag turns itself on and off while a passenger is sitting on the seat while driving. It supposedly is set for 90 lbs pressure but my wife and children are over 120lbs. You must pull yourself down while sitting in the seat to keep air bag functioning. My wife sat in other 2008 95 saab's and the same thing happens. They have a faulty switch on that seat for the air bag sensor. *Tr
Saab 9-5: every year compared
All 9-5 years2008 Saab 9-5 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Saab 9-5 | 20 | 2 | C | |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 | 184 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 Wagon | 184 | 0 | D | Compare |
| 2008 Saab 9-7X | 22 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon | 20 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2008 Saab 9-5
Does the 2008 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Saab 9-5: inflator module (February 2016); head restraint (April 2008). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saab 9-5?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (19), electrical system (2).
How many complaints has the 2008 Saab 9-5 had?
20 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 22, 2008 and the latest on January 28, 2020. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2008 Saab 9-5 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 52 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saab 9-5 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saab 9-5 years have the most complaints?
1999 (117), 2000 (102), 2001 (82). See every Saab 9-5 year compared.
What should I do if my 2008 Saab 9-5 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data