Saab · 9-5 · 2008
2
Recalls
20
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2008 Saab 9-5 has 2 recalls and 20 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (18 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2008 Saab 9-5 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 18 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 ...
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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. TH...
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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 CONTA...
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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 CON...
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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 ...
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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...
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I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR LONG TIME FOR AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT FROM GENERAL MOTORS WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR.
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 R...
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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 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 EXPERIENC...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 20 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2008 Saab models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2008 Saab 9-5 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 20 owner-reported complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-5.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2008 Saab 9-5.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2008 Saab 9-5 are air bags (18 reports), electrical system (1 reports), electrical system,air bags (1 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2008 Saab 9-5. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.