DecodedCars2008 Saab 9-5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan FWD, Sportcombi 4dr Wagon FWD
- Engines
- 2.3L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 21 combined · 18 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 190.6 in
- Curb weight
- 2,855–2,978 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints16 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 151 for similar models.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2008 Saab 9-5 is a midsize car offered with a 2.3L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 191 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,855 lb (4dr Sedan FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 21 MPG combined (18 city / 28 highway), 0% better than the 2008 midsize car average of 21.1 MPG, for an estimated $3,900 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2008
- Lightest version 615 lb lighter
Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 9-5 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan FWD | 190.6 in | 70.5 in | 57.1 in | 106.3 in | 59.4 / 59.8 in | 2,855 lb | 62/38 |
| Sportcombi 4dr Wagon FWD | 190.6 in | 70.5 in | 57.9 in | 106.3 in | 59.4 / 60.2 in | 2,978 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5 Sedan | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 9-5 SportCombi | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 21 | +6% | $3,900 | 423 |
| 9-5 Sedan | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | -5% | $4,100 | 444 |
| 9-5 SportCombi | 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | +1% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Saab 9-5 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2008 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Saab 9-5 (this car) | 21 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Honda Accord | 25 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2008 Toyota Camry | 34 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2008 Chevrolet Malibu | 27 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Passat | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2008 Nissan Altima | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2008 Mazda 6 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (1)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V063000 · 113,716 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
Not every 2008 Saab 9-5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2008 Saab 9-5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 16 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 97,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 9-5 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Saab. How we calculate this →