RecallRepo

1999 Saab 9-5 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1999 Saab 9-5 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 110,039 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

WHEELS 03V006000 2003-01-13 70,726 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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…

EQUIPMENT 98V139000 1998-06-23 39,313 affected
Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
42
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
23
2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
22
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
3
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
3
TIRES
3
Total complaints157

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Driver side airbag deployed while driving in a smooth straightaway country road at about 30-35 mph. No other cas were around at the time and nobody got seriously hurt, only a minor bruise on the arm.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-09-05

“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-5. The contact stated that while parked, the passenger's side impact air bag erroneously deployed. The vehicle was not involved in a crash or any type of impact. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a diagnostic test however, dealer did not provide an…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2013-06-17

“My vehicle was sold originally in california and has been a california registered vehicle at all times. It has rear fog lights installed with it's own separate switch on cluster dash for them . This vehicle does not comply with the california vehicle code 24602 fog tail lamps or rear fog lights.…”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2012-09-10

“My vehicle has a crack about 2 inches in length on the right rear side on roof top. I can provide pictures and would like my vehicle investigated into on this issue. *tr”

STRUCTURE:BODY · reported 2012-07-29

“Vacuum brake booster filled with oil leaking from defective vacuum pump resulting in brake failure. Defective abs module causes brakes to suddenly lock up immobilizing car. This is a design failure in the electronic abs braking system in my opinion. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · reported 2011-07-15

“My 1999 saab's direct ignition cassette has failed -- a very common occurrence in this model, for which a recall was issued. That recall, however, excluded 1999 model years for reasons unknown to anyone I have spoken with. My car is essentially identical to a 2000 saab 9-5, which is covered under…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2011-01-14

“1999 saab 9-5 wagon passenger side (side) airbag deployed while sitting still. Gm is dragging their heels and not offering a rental car and I was told today that if I need a car to drive, I can pick the car up from dealership but they cannot guarantee that another airbag will not deploy. This is…”

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · reported 2010-06-25

“Ignition cassette failure. *tr”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2010-06-01

Defect investigations

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Investigation PE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1999 Saab 9-5 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.