2004 Saab 9-5 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2004 Saab 9-5, and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2004 Saab 9-5
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Head restraint (seats)
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.
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.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
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…
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 Saab 9-5 have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 35,370 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I purchased my 2004 Saab 9-5 in 2023. I was under the impression that everything was running and that drivability was proper. When I attempted to drive the automobile it would start, idle 7 minutes an”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 10, 2025 · Electrical system
“7/26/22 10:23pm on interstate 25 North of Denver mile 249 I was not able to stop and rear ended another vehicle. My air bags did not deploy there were no dash lights indicating any problem with the ai”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 5, 2022 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2004 Saab 9-5 (9-5 Wagon). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 20–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–18 / 25–27 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S5); Manual 5-spd |
Compare Saab 9-5 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Saab 9-5 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 Saab 9-5 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 118 |
| 2000 Saab 9-5 | 3 | 102 |
| 2001 Saab 9-5 | 4 | 82 |
| 2002 Saab 9-5 | 6 | 53 |
| 2003 Saab 9-5 | 4 | 47 |
| 2004 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 19 |
| 2005 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 11 |
| 2006 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 23 |
| 2007 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 17 |
| 2008 Saab 9-5 | 2 | 20 |
| 2009 Saab 9-5 | 1 | 2 |
| 2010 Saab 9-5 | 0 | 2 |
| 2011 Saab 9-5 | 0 | 9 |
Checking a specific 2004 Saab 9-5
How do I know if my 2004 Saab 9-5 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2004 Saab 9-5; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Saab dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 07V087000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Saab models
- 9-31,346 complaints
- 900360 complaints
- 9-7X171 complaints
- 9000136 complaints
- 9-2X121 complaints
- 9-3 Convertible61 complaints
- 9551 complaints
- Aero15 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.