Model year guide

1998 Saab 9-5

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Saab 9-5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 24 on record.

1998 Saab 9-5 — representative photo
Representative photo

1998 Saab 9-5 at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints1

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1998 Saab 9-5 recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1998 Saab 9-5.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1998 Saab 9-5 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Dimensions & weight

Length
189.4 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
57.1 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,285–3,561 lb
Front track
59.4 in
Rear track
59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1998 Saab 9-5 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 10

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. *KB

Bulletin 2102554 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006

ALTERNATIVE TOWBAR INSTALLATION . *TT

Bulletin 9802589 · Structure · Oct 2005

REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TURBO CONTROL VALVE. *EH

Bulletin 2912494 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004

NEW ROUTING OF BELT CIRCUIT. *EH

Bulletin 2102486 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2004

PROCEDURES ON PREVENTING JUDDERING OF SIDE WINDOWS ( UNSMOOTH OPERATION ) FOR VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X3001194 AND W3075121. *YC

Bulletin 8431953 · Visibility · Nov 1998

RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION ON AFFIXING AIRBAG LABEL. *TT

Bulletin 8502001 · Equipment · Aug 1998

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT TIE-DOWNS IN THE SUBFRAME RAILS IF SHIPPED INCORRECTLY. *YC

Bulletin 801 · Structure · Jul 1998

COMPLAINT OF BRAKE PADS JUDDER. *YC

Bulletin 5001793 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 1998

E-MAIL INFORMATION ON PRODUCT NEWS AND 1999 WARRANTY & SERVICE RECORD BOOKLETS. *TT

Bulletin 041498 · Structure · Apr 1998

TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON INOPERATIVE DOOR LOCKS AND REMOTES. *YC

Bulletin 83698 · Structure · Mar 1998

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 9-5. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Saab 9-5

The Saab 9-5 is an executive car, manufactured and marketed by Saab from 1997 to 2012, across two generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1998 Saab 9-5 vehicles on record

1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E6X3029729 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EM48Z5X3042394 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C5X3025083 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48Z9X3033403 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EE48EXW3056557 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48E0W3073770 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48E6X3027605 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C2W3080945 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48Z8X3042013 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C2W3084367 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C3W3073342 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C8W3085992 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48E7W3057713 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EE45C6W3085427 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E9X3029062 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3ED48C5W3081481 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C6W3084744 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EE48E0W3078647 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF48E3W3080390 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C3X3033316 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E1X3043702 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EE48E9W3080848 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C9W3054122 1998 Saab 9-5 1998 Saab 9-5YS3EE45E5X3023326

Other Saab 9-5 model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997

1998 Saab 9-5 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Saab 9-5 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1998 Saab 9-5. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Saab 9-5?

Across all 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.