Model year
2003 Saab 9-5
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 47 complaints for the 2003 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 (20), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE (5), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (4). 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.
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…
Complaints
47 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, 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
No investigations are matched to this name.
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 | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| 9-5 · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 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 | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-5 Wagon · 3L · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
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 2003 Saab 9-5 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.