Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system25
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Tires5
- Suspension5
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Power train3
- Structure2
- Unknown or other2
- Equipment2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Saab 9-5 failed the safety check 2.15% of the time — 2% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 143,609 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Saab 9-5 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.3 petrol (184 kW, 247 hp), 2.3 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp) and 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 184 kW 247 hp | 140 |
| 2.3 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 106 |
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 101 |
| 3.0 petrol | 147 kW 197 hp | 33 |
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
398 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 29% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €58,640.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen238
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde196
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt110
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk94
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)92
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan76
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld65
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af58
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
335 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 463 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, 562 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 60% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 20.1% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 14.1% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 10.1% | 13.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.4% | 7.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.8% | 9.4% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 6.3% |
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
431 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 306,000 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
14 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 71% arrived as used imports, 21% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 8 variants: combined 10.0–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–24 mpg US), CO₂ 230–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Linear Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 11.7 | 8.0 | 10.0 |
| 9-5 Aero Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.8 | 8.8 | 11.0 |
| 9-5 Aero Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.8 | 8.8 | 11.0 |
| 9-5 Linear Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 8.6 | 11.0 |
| 9-5 Linear Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
| 9-5 Linear Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.5 | 8.9 | 11.4 |
| 9-5 Aero Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.0 | 11.6 |
| 9-5 Aero Wagon Turbo · Station wagon: Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.6 | 9.0 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-5.
| 2007059 7 Mar 2007 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen f… |
| 2005271 20 Sept 2005 | Electrical Certain 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines, and 2001-2003 9-5 models equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline engines … |
| 2005179 14 Jun 2005 | Other Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 210. The required markings for the child tether anchorage hooks are missing in the luggage compar… |
| 2002247 23 Dec 2002 | Suspension On certain vehicles, when changing back and forth between alloy and steel wheels (as for winter tires), rust and other contaminates may build up on the mating s… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
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.
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 2003 Saab 9-5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11007208 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection. |
| 11006621 | Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers. |
| 11004761 | This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 11004557 | This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim. |
| 11002312 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information. |
| 11000576 | This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process. |
| 10252735 | This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish. |
| 10252163 | XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation. |
| 10251890 | This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 10250775 | This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system. |
| 10249579 | This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine. |
| 10249011 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage. |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10247681 | Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option. |
| 10246952 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10246951 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10245951 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States. |
| 10245950 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States |
| 10244274 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
| 10244201 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only). |
| 10242262 | This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement. |
| 10235802 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 10235799 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
| 10234141 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)