Model year
2002 Saab 9-5
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 65 complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-5 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (19), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE (17), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION (8). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 119 complaints
- 2001 104 complaints
- 2002 65 complaints
- 2003 47 complaints
- 2004 19 complaints
- 2005 11 complaints
- 2006 23 complaints
- 2007 17 complaints
- 2008 20 complaints
- 2009 2 complaints
- 2010 2 complaints
- 2011 9 complaints
- 2012 0 complaints
Recalls
08V160000 · Apr 9, 2008
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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…
07V087000 · Mar 7, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
06V410000 · Oct 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
05V399000 · Sep 14, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 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…
03V006000 · Jan 13, 2003
WHEELS:HUB
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…
02V006000 · Jan 4, 2002
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.
Complaints
65 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 2, fire flag on 5, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05017 | ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Apr 7, 2005 | Sep 23, 2005 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 9-5 · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| 9-5 · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| 9-5 · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-5 · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Saab 9-5 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.