2004 Saab 9-5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Saab 9-5: 2 recalls, 19 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #07V087000 · 2007 · 94,377 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #08V160000 · 2008 · 57,389 vehicles
What's wrong: 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard's requirements.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants May occur.
The fix: Dealers will install a-pillar trim with improved energy-absorbing capability free of charge. The recall began on November 25, 2008.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (6), electrical failure (5), door / lock issues (3).
- Body & structure (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Tires (2): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
- Engine & cooling (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2004 Saab 9-5 has 19 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 14 9-5 model years for complaints (well below the 40 average). Complaints peaked in 2014 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 31,821 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (47 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (11 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Saab 9-5.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Saab 9-5. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Saab 9-5 problems?
Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (13), body & structure (2), tires (2).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Saab 9-5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Saab 9-5 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.