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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Air bags: frontal, driver side
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk and remedy
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
Seats: front assembly, head restraint
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (1)
Show 1 Canadian recall
Airbag
2016-02-03 · campaign 2016-052
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver airbag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and replace the driver airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles.
Owner complaints (20)
Owners filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Saab 9-5. Among 14 model years of this model, it ranks #7 for the most complaints (median 20).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Air bags | 19 | |
| Electrical system | 2 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Saab 9-5.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2008 Saab 9-5 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2008 Saab 9-5 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| 9-5 Sedan 2.3 L Manual 5-spd | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 9-5 Sedan 2.3 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
| 9-5 SportCombi 2.3 L Manual 5-spd | 18 | 28 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 9-5 SportCombi 2.3 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 26 | 20 | $4,100 |
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.