Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1999 Saab 9-5. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SAAB/WHEEL/TIRE CORROSION
- Summary
- 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 AWAY RESULTING IN REDUCED CLAMPING FORCE OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB. OVER SEVERAL SEASONS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS REDUCED FORCE COULD RESULT IN FRACTURES DEVELOPING IN THE WHEEL BOLTS DUE TO WHEEL TO HUB MOVEMENT.
- 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 USING NEW IMPROVED BOLTS WITH ATTACHED WASHERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 31, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SAAB/FMVSS 208
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (118)
118 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 118 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 70 | 59.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 14.4% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 6.8% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 6.8% |
| Air bags | 4 | 3.4% |
| Equipment | 3 | 2.5% |
| Power train | 3 | 2.5% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 2.5% |
| Tires | 3 | 2.5% |
| Wheels | 3 | 2.5% |
How 1999 compares with other 9-5 years
Best and worst 9-5 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 118 | 2 |
| 2000 | 119 | 3 |
| 2001 | 104 | 4 |
| 2002 | 65 | 6 |
| 2003 | 47 | 4 |
| 2004 | 19 | 2 |
| 2005 | 11 | 2 |
| 2006 | 23 | 2 |
| 2007 | 17 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 9-5 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Saab 9-5 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Saab 9-5 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 03V006000 (wheel), 98V139000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Saab 9-5 problems?
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (70), Engine and engine cooling (17), Fuel system (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Saab 9-5 get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 28 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1999 9-5 compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Saab 9-5 model years at least five years old, the 1998 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2000 the most (119). The 1999 drew 118. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.