2004 Saab 9-5: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2004 Saab 9-5
On the 2004 Saab 9-5, the failure owners report most often is ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure, with 7 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 47,500 miles. Overall it scores 62 out of 100, high risk for a 2004.
High risk for a 2004 — 262nd riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. 30 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What owners report breaking
Owners have reported 12 named failure modes on the 2004 Saab 9-5, and the three most-reported carry 50% of everything filed.
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure leads with 7 reports and about 0.6 per 1,000 vehicles.
No-start or intermittent start failure follows with 4 reports, median 5,000 miles. 3 of those reports mention a fire.
Headlight failure or clouding follows with 4 reports, median 45,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into electrical (10), engine (4) and lighting (4).
At what mileage it happens
26 of the reports on the 2004 Saab 9-5 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 47,500 miles.
Cumulatively, 58% by 50,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 27% of the dated reports.
38% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 1 mentions a crash and 3 a fire. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.27, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure at $250–$1,500, no-start or intermittent start failure at $200–$1,800, headlight failure or clouding at $150–$1,800 and fuel pump failure at $600–$2,600. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
13% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 7 | 7 | — | 70k | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 4 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 0.3 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 4 | 4 | — | 47k | — | 0.3 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 3 | 3 | — | 51k | — | 0.3 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 2 | 2 | — | 5k | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 2 | 2 | — | 19k | — | 0.2 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 2 | 2 | — | 35k | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 2 | 2 | — | 31k | — | 0.2 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Electrical fire or melted wiring | electrical | 1 | 1 | — | 5k | — | 0.1 | $1,500–$9,000 | Critical |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Alignment fault and uneven tire wear | suspension | 1 | 1 | — | 25k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 10k | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2004 Saab 9-5 draws about 2.5 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 74th percentile of complaint rates among 2004 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 11,797 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2004 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-5. The contact stated that when driving on the highway, the vehicle would suddenly shut down completely. The engine and electrical systems would turn off completely. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was able to be immediately restarted when the failure occurred. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch was most likely the cause for failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 74,00. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 12/30/10 *bf updated 01/10/11*jb updated 3/31/14*cn
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-5. The contact stated that when driving on the highway, the vehicle would suddenly shut down completely. The engine and electrical systems would turn off completely. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was able to be immediately restarted when the failure occurred. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who stated that the ignition switch was most likely the cause for failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current mileage was approximately 74,00. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 12/30/10 *bf updated 01/10/11*jb updated 3/31/14*cn
No-start or intermittent start failure
On numerous occasions, our 2004 saab 95 would not start. Later it would start. Saab refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. Nothing has been done. There have been 5 instances beginning in may of 2004.
Headlight failure or clouding
Purchased the car used 5/23/08 with 42,700 miles from saab dealership. Within a month the headlights worked randomly, check engine light would come on randomly. Called the dealership and was told that it wouldn't hurt anything and should it become more frequent, bring the car in. 8/18 took the car in to dealership when the light was coming on more frequently. Headlight relay replaced, engine light was due to a direct ignition cassette failure. Saab dealership ordered the part which was on national back order, part came in 10/9. Vehicle was taken in 10/6 due to steam coming from under the hood, temperature gauge never moved above the middle. Bypass valve replaced ($450 parts/labor). Vehicle has approx. 48,500 miles and is out of manufacturer warranty and repair is not covered under dealerships limited warranty. After an internet search for information relating to the di cassette failure I found that there was a recall for 2000-2002 models for the same issue. My vehicle is a 2004 saab 9.5 aero sedan. *tr
Purchased the car used 5/23/08 with 42,700 miles from saab dealership. Within a month the headlights worked randomly, check engine light would come on randomly. Called the dealership and was told that it wouldn't hurt anything and should it become more frequent, bring the car in. 8/18 took the car in to dealership when the light was coming on more frequently. Headlight relay replaced, engine light was due to a direct ignition cassette failure. Saab dealership ordered the part which was on national back order, part came in 10/9. Vehicle was taken in 10/6 due to steam coming from under the hood, temperature gauge never moved above the middle. Bypass valve replaced ($450 parts/labor). Vehicle has approx. 48,500 miles and is out of manufacturer warranty and repair is not covered under dealerships limited warranty. After an internet search for information relating to the di cassette failure I found that there was a recall for 2000-2002 models for the same issue. My vehicle is a 2004 saab 9.5 aero sedan. *tr
Recalls on the 2004 model year
NHTSA has issued 2 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Saab 9-5, affecting an estimated 19,995 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover seats:front assembly:head restraint and fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fitt. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
57,389 vehicles 2008-04-09- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
94,377 vehicles 2007-03-07- Defect
- On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2004 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2004 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2004 — 262nd riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 10 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2005 comes out best at 56 and 2002 worst at 67, with 2004 itself at 62.
If the model year is negotiable, 2005 scores lower than 2004 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 1998–2004 generation specifically, 2000 is the strongest year at 60 and 2002 the weakest at 67.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 1998-2004 generation, 2000 Saab 9-5 scores best at 60 and 2002 Saab 9-5 worst at 67.
Where these figures stop being useful
30 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 30 reports, 26 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 87% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saab 9-5?
The most-reported failures are ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure (7 reports, median 70,000 miles), no-start or intermittent start failure (4 reports, median 5,000 miles) and headlight failure or clouding (4 reports, median 45,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2004 Saab 9-5 reliable?
It scores 62 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 262nd riskiest of the 329 2004 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2004 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Saab 9-5 is best?
Within the 1998–2004 generation, 2000 scores best at 60 out of 100 and 2002 worst at 67. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed