2003 Saab 9-5

$1,999

from

listings

$2K–$9K

price range

Download Infographic

Low$1,999

High$8,700

From$1,999

Avg Mileage175,000 mi

Fresh

Sourced from 2 active dealer listings as of May 2026

2003 Saab 9-5 Trims

All Trims Combined

From$1,999

$2K–$9K

2 listings175,000 avg miles

2.3T

From$2,495

5 listings|$2K–$15K

2003 Saab 9-5 Pricing

Price Trend

3 data pointsAs of Mar 26

Only 2 available nationwide.

Limited supply means limited chances. Get notified the moment new ones appear.

Get new listing alertsFrom $5/week

Saab 9-5 Safety & Reliability

Low Concern

With 4 recalls and 49 complaints, the 2003 Saab 9-5 rates as low on the safety concern scale. Always run the VIN through NHTSA's lookup tool before signing.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

07V0870002007-07-03

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

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.

View at NHTSA

03V0060002003-13-01

WHEELS:HUB

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.

THESE FRACTURES WOULD RESULT IN WHEEL BOLT BREAKAGE, ALLOWING THE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE WHEEL HUB, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

08V1600002008-09-04

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

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.

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

View all 4 recalls

06V4100002006-26-10

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2003 Saab 9-5's biggest weak point? ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. It leads 49 total complaints spanning 1 years. Budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially in that area.

01Electrical System15

02Engine And Engine Cooling5

03Tires4

04Suspension3

05Electrical System,equipment2

49 total across 1 model years (2003–2003)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Saab 9-5 Fuel Economy

19–22mpg combined

16-19city

24-28hwy

$2,000-$3,050/yr

Fuel economy for the 2003 Saab 9-5 ranges from 19 to 22 MPG combined across 10 setups. The table below breaks it down by trim so you know exactly what you're signing up for.

By Trim

9-5 - Manual 5-spd

22mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city28 hwy~$2,000/yr-1/10 Poor

9-5 Wagon - Manual 5-spd

22mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city28 hwy~$2,000/yr-1/10 Poor

9-5 - Automatic 5-spd

21mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city27 hwy~$2,100/yr-1/10 Poor

9-5 Wagon - Automatic 5-spd

20mpg

2.3L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city26 hwy~$2,200/yr-1/10 Poor

9-5 - Automatic 5-spd

19mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

16 city24 hwy~$3,050/yr-1/10 Poor

9-5 Wagon - Automatic 5-spd

19mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

16 city24 hwy~$3,050/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2003 Saab 9-5

9States

45%in top 3

The biggest cluster of inventory is in California (27%), but the remaining listings are spread across 8 other states nationwide.

CACalifornia

327%

DEDelaware

19%

NJNew Jersey

19%

NMNew Mexico

19%

WAWashington

19%

NYNew York

19%

OHOhio

19%

COColorado

19%

PAPennsylvania

19%

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2003.

Buying a 2003 Saab 9-5?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2003 Saab 9-5 a good car to buy?

The 2003 Saab 9-5 has its strengths and its watch-outs. 4 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report electrical system as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2003 Saab 9-5?

There are 4 documented recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-5. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2003 Saab 9-5?

You'll get between 19 and 22 MPG combined from the 2003 Saab 9-5, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2003 Saab 9-5?

Out of 49 owner complaints, electrical system issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.