How many recalls does the 2002 Saab 9-5 have?

The 2002 Saab 9-5 has 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 Saab 9-5 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 Saab 9-5?

Of 74 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

2002 Saab 9-5 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Saab 9-5 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 333,373 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 74 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEATS 08V160000 2008-04-09 57,389 affected

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 07V087000 2007-03-07 94,377 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

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 CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 06V410000 2006-10-26 5,078 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 2003. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. NOTE: THIS RECALL IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 05V399).

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 05V399000 2005-09-14 103,202 affected

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 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.

Consequence

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO…

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…

STEERING 02V006000 2002-01-04 2,601 affected

Defect

THE STEERING KNUCKLE CASTINGS ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN CONTAMINATED DURING THE CASTING PROCESS.

Consequence

THESE KNUCKLES CAN BREAK, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING KNUCKLE FOR THE CASTING NUMBER. IF THE KNUCKLE WAS IN THE DEFECTIVE BATCH, THE STEERING KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE…

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SEAT BELTS

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Total complaints74

What owners report

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

“On feb 20, 2013, I went to gillys, a local tire company, sold me two tires and welded a cracked rim. On mar 2, 2013 the tire blew out and upon inspection at walmart automotive. It was discovered the tire was illegally plugged on inner wall. The rim had recracked. This violates 49 cfr 570.10 wheel…”

WHEELS:RIM · reported 2013-03-02

“On feb 20, 2013, I went to gillys, a local tire company, sold me two tires and welded a cracked rim. On mar 2, 2013 the tire blew out and upon inspection at walmart automotive. It was discovered the tire was illegally plugged on inner wall. The rim had recracked. This violates 49 cfr 570.10 wheel…”

TIRES · reported 2013-03-02

“Hello...I need to ask for your help. I have a 2002 saab 9-5 which has a problem with the front passenger side seat belt. It does not retract and therefore the passenger is unprotected. I know that saab has a history of this being a problem. My attempts to get some help from saab have been futile.…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2012-08-01

“Had a head-on accident, traveling approximately 55mph, car pulled out going across intersection, hit head-on. Slammed on brakes noticing she was going, and slammed into her car, her car turned around 180 degs. My airbags did not deploy, nor did the seat belt lock up, which allowed me to go forward…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2010-09-27

“Had a head-on accident, traveling approximately 55mph, car pulled out going across intersection, hit head-on. Slammed on brakes noticing she was going, and slammed into her car, her car turned around 180 degs. My airbags did not deploy, nor did the seat belt lock up, which allowed me to go forward…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2010-09-27

“Passenger side seat belt. Just riding down the road and heard a spring popping sound near passenger door. Then passenger belt went limp with person in the seat. The belt had no tension and would not retract. Called dealer and they said no recall campaign for this problem and I have to pay to…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2010-08-17

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saab 9-5. While driving at speeds of 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle lost power steering and braking ability. The contact was able to move the vehicle off the roadway and restart the vehicle. The vehicle resumed normal operation upon restarting.…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE · reported 2010-06-04

“Car just cutting off while driving almost rear ended two times, as happens without notice, took to shop, was diagnosed as ignition cassette. Witch was recalled, but still defective.”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2010-01-24