Model year guide

1999 Saab 9-5

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1999 Saab 9-5 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 39 on record.

1999 Saab 9-5 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1999 Saab 9-5 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints121
Combined19–22 mpg

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

1999 Saab 9-5 recalls 2

Wheels:hub NHTSA Campaign #03V006000 · manufacturer #15013 · 13/01/2003

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 AW…

Fix: 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 REPLAC…

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #98V139000 · 23/06/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

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.

1999 Saab 9-5 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
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.

1999 Saab 9-5 MPG & running costs

Combined19–22 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,383
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,917 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1999 Saab 9-5 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,915
Fuel only$16,915
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
189.4 in
Width
70.5 in
Height
57.1–59.1 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,285–3,594 lb
Front track
59.8 in
Rear track
59.8 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1999 Saab 9-5 — ranges cover the 3 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed

ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM "CASSETTE" ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE. DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED…

NHTSA #PE05017 · Electrical System · opened Apr 2005 · closed Sep 2005

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 32

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. Showing the 10 most recent of 32.

GM: THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, AND POWER WINDOWS ARE INOPERATIVE. 1999-2009 SAAB 9-5. *RM

Bulletin SB-071511 · Electrical System · Jun 2011

SAAB: STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INOPERATIVE OR INCORRECT FUNCTION. *PE UPDATED 5/23/11. *PE

Bulletin PIC-4089A · Steering · Nov 2010

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

Bulletin 2102554 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006

DOOR LOCKS INOPERATIVE. *TT

Bulletin 01092006 · Latches/locks/linkages · Jan 2006

A SAFETY DEFECT MAY EXIST WHERE CHANGING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN ALLOY AND STEEL WHEELS, MAY CAUSE RUST AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO BUILD UP ON THE MATING SURFACE OF THE WHEEL HUB AND CAUSE THE WHEEL BOLTS TO FATIGUE AND POSSIBLY BREAK. *TT

Bulletin 03001 · Wheels · Jan 2003

SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF TEST BRAKE LIGHTS MESSAGE DELETED FROM SID REPLACEMENT UNITS. *TT

Bulletin 381 · Jun 2001

TO ADDRESS AN EXTERNAL OIL OR COOLANT LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WHEN NO ENGINE OVERHEATING OR OTHER RUNNING COMPLAINTS HAVE OCCURRED. *TT

Bulletin 211 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2001

THIS BULLETIN ADDRESSES A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF ENGINE / EXHAUST NOISE FORM A COLD ENGINE OR WHEN TURNING A CORNER. *TT

Bulletin 200 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2001

SUBJECT REGARDING NEW UPDATE KIT FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT

Bulletin 471 · Power Train · Mar 2001

ADDRESSING COMPLAINT OF NOISE CAUSED BY LEAVES ENTERING FAN HOUSING. *TT

Bulletin 854 · Structure · Feb 2001

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

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1999 Saab 9-5. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

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 surface of the wheel hubs. If this surface is not cleaned between wheel changes, uneven torque forces may cause wheel bolts to fracture. Although this is most likely to happen during wheel change service, it is possible t…

Transport Canada #2002247 · Dec 2002

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

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.

1999 Saab 9-5 trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · 2.3t
Engines
2.3L · 3.0L 6-cyl

1999 Saab 9-5 vehicles on record

1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5 SEYS3EF48E7X3082211 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5 SEYS3EF48EXX3090531 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5 SEYS3EF48Z9X3077966 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5 2.3tYS3ED45E7X3026523 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5 2.3tYS3ED48E0X3002446 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E3X3021961 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E8X3084750 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45E0Y3002723 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C4Y3002962 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C8X3097593 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EE48E3X3023207 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C2X3098111 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF55E6Y3000464 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C6X3098337 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF48Z0X3035959 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF55E5X3080757 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF55E3X3075167 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C4Y3002366 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF45C0Y3010772 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C6X3026811 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3ED45E4X3082922 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EF48C1Y3015118 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3ED55C5X3078320 1999 Saab 9-5 1999 Saab 9-5YS3EH45G5Y3008139

Other Saab 9-5 model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1998 1997

1999 Saab 9-5 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 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 1999 Saab 9-5?

Across all 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 1999 Saab 9-5 get?

The 1999 Saab 9-5 has U.S. EPA estimates of 19–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

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