NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-5; the most frequently affected component is seats — head restraint. Owners filed 49 complaints, most often about electrical system. Among the 7 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #3 for number of recalls.
Seats — Head restraintCampaign 08V160000 · 09 Apr 2008
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.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline — Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCampaign 07V087000 · 07 Mar 2007
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Electrical system — ModuleCampaign 06V410000 · 26 Oct 2006
Problem: 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.
Risk: Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to january 2003. The recall is expected to begin during december 2005. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007. Note: this recall is an expansion of a previous campaign (please see 05v399).
Wheels — HubCampaign 03V006000 · 13 Jan 2003
Problem: 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.
Risk: These fractures would result in wheel bolt breakage, allowing the wheel to detach from the wheel hub, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be contacted by mail and asked whether they change between steel and alloy wheels. If they do engage in this practice, they will be instructed to bring their cars to an authorized dealer. The dealer will remove the wheels, clean any contamination from the wheel and wheel hub, and replace the wheels using new improved bolts with attached washers. Owner notification began march 31, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
What owners complain about
Share of the 40 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.
Electrical system24 · 60%
Engine and engine cooling5 · 12%
Fuel system4 · 10%
Gasoline4 · 10%
Fuel/propulsion system3 · 8%
Power train3 · 8%
Tires3 · 8%
Equipment3 · 8%
When complaints were filed
20066
20074
20086
20098
20103
20113
20121
20133
20144
20161
20201
From owner complaints
The front seatbelts fray near where the buckle secures the belt when in use. The seatbelt was replaced with oem parts for this reason. The new belt has frayed again over a short period of time. Others report similar problems, perhaps due to something rough abrading the belt somewhere along the belt path. *tr
The horn often fails to work when the steering wheel mounted airbag cover is pressed. This is an ongoing, unresolved problem. A dealer replaced a part under warranty but that did not fix the problem. I have seen several other 2002+ 9-5s with the same horn failure issue. *tr
My check engine light had been on- my mechanic said there was a recall (which i verified on your site), yet when i took it to saab (and called), they said my particular vin # was not covered. Amazing coincidence that the exact part that was recalled got replaced??!! Please advise me what i can/should do. Thank you for…
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-5. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and they stated that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. Three weeks later, the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa…
Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.