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Owner report · 2008 model year

2008 Saab 9-5

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2008 Saab 9-5
Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Airbags & Restraints

Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 19 of 20 complaints (95%) mention it.

Complaints filed rose from 17 in 2007 to 20 in 2008.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
20
Recall campaigns
2
EPA fuel cost per year
$3,700–$3,850
Combined MPG
20–21

Complaints by model year

  1. 232006
  2. 172007
  3. 202008
  4. 22009
  5. 22010

Where owners report problems

  1. Airbags & Restraints19 (95%)
  2. Electrical2 (10%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2008: 2 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category20062007200820092010vs. 2008 Midsize Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)3,500–3,8503,700–3,8503,700–3,8502,950–3,1003,850
Combined MPG20–2220–2120–2120–2120
City / Highway MPG16–18 / 26–2717–18 / 27–2817–18 / 26–2817–18 / 2716 / 27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)404–444423–444423–444423–444444
Complaints filed23172022Not compared
Recalls issued22210Not compared
Crash-involved complaints00000Not compared
Fire-involved complaints00000Not compared
Injuries reported00001Not compared
Deaths reported00000Not compared
Configurations compared22221

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Saab 9-5 have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Saab 9-5?

Airbags & Restraints: 19 of 20 NHTSA complaints (95%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Saab 9-5 get?

EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Saab 9-5?

EPA estimates $3,700–$3,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (4)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 5-spd42.3LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars18 mpg (high)28 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2Automatic (S5)42.3LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Cars17 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,850 (high)444 g/mi (high)
Configuration 3Manual 5-spd42.3LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Station Wagons18 mpg (high)28 mpg (high)21 mpg (high)$3,700 (low)423 g/mi (low)
Configuration 4Automatic (S5)42.3LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumMidsize Station Wagons17 mpg (low)26 mpg (low)20 mpg (low)$3,850 (high)444 g/mi (high)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine00000
Transmission & Drivetrain00000
Fuel System00000
Electrical20000
Brakes00000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires00000
Airbags & Restraints190000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches00000
Visibility & Lighting00000
Other00000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Campaign 16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.
    Remedy
    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.

  • SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

    Campaign 08V160000 · Apr 9, 2008

    Defect
    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.
    Consequence
    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.