2006 Saab 9-5: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2006 Saab 9-5: 2 recalls, 23 owner complaints and up to 22 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.
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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V063000 · 2016 · 113,716 vehicles
What's wrong: Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure May cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (13): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (2).
- Engine (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Exterior lights (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2006 Saab 9-5 has 23 owner complaints, ranking #6 of 14 9-5 model years for complaints (well below the 40 average). Complaints peaked in 2017 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 52,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2005 (11 complaints, 2 recalls), 2007 (17 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 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 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 2006 Saab 9-5.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2006 Saab 9-5 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2006 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 2006 Saab 9-5 problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (13), engine (2), electrical (2).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Saab 9-5 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2006 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.