Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Saab 9-5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1998 Saab 9-5 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.3 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp) and 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 29 |
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 25 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
98 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 11% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde89
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen60
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt28
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld23
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)23
- Band onvoldoende profiel22
- Remleiding door corrosie aangetast18
- Dim-, grootlicht werkt niet (goed)13
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
57 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 198 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 114 of these cars first registered in 1998 took their annual MOT test. 63% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1998 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.5% | 16.0% |
| Brakes | 8.8% | 11.8% |
| Visibility | 7.0% | 6.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.1% | 7.2% |
| Suspension | 6.1% | 12.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.3% | 9.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
155 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 320,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
3 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1998 Saab 9-5.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saab told its dealers about the 1998 Saab 9-5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 605395 | RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION ON AFFIXING AIRBAG LABEL. *TT |
| 605129 | E-MAIL INFORMATION ON PRODUCT NEWS AND 1999 WARRANTY & SERVICE RECORD BOOKLETS. *TT |
| 604048 | PROCEDURES ON PREVENTING JUDDERING OF SIDE WINDOWS ( UNSMOOTH OPERATION ) FOR VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X3001194 AND W3075121. *YC |
| 602374 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIE-DOWNS IN THE SUBFRAME RAILS IF SHIPPED INCORRECTLY. *YC |
| 602303 | COMPLAINT OF BRAKE PADS JUDDER. *YC |
| 600951 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON INOPERATIVE DOOR LOCKS AND REMOTES. *YC |
| 10020715 | NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. *KB |
| 10019995 | ALTERNATIVE TOWBAR INSTALLATION . *TT |
| 10012036 | REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TURBO CONTROL VALVE. *EH |
| 10012014 | NEW ROUTING OF BELT CIRCUIT. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)