Is the 2011 Saab 9-5 reliable?

The 2011 Saab 9-5 has 11 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: LIGHTING problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Saab 9-5?

Top problems: LIGHTING (5 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (2 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Saab 9-5?

No recalls have been issued for the 2011 Saab 9-5.

How much does it cost to charge a 2011 Saab 9-5?

The 2011 Saab 9-5 has an EPA rating of 23 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3341. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Saab 9-5?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Saab 9-5 is approximately $1,679/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2011 Saab 9-5 qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2011 Saab 9-5 may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2011 Saab 9-5

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Saab 9-5 has 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 11. The most common issue is lighting problems (45% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 saab 9-5. the contact stated that the check rear taillight warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that both tail light bulb sockets needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repair.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

LIGHTING

5 complaints

45%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK REAR TAILLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHT BULB SOCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR
• THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS OVERHEAT, CAUSING THE BULBS TO BURN OUT AND WIRING TO MELT. WE HAVE HAD THE BULBS AND SOCKETS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES ON BOTH SIDES SINCE 2013, BUT THE ONLY THING THAT FIXES THE PROBLEM IS REPLACING THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY. JUST HAD THE SOCKET AND BULB FOR PASSENGER SIDE REPLACED
• ABOUT ONCE A MONTH SINCE ABOUT 10,000 MILES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ONE OF THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET ASSEMBLIES BECAUSE THE PLASTIC INSERT THAT HOLDS THE LIGHT BULB IS MELTING. WHEN IT HEATS AND MELTS, ITS SHAPE SLIGHTLY DISTORTS DISCONNECTING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE LIGHT BULB AND THE LIGHT BUL

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK REAR TAILLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHT BULB SOCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Charging Cost Calculator for 2011 Saab 9-5

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$3,311

Per month

$276

Per mile

27.6¢

kWh/mi

1.47

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Saab 9-5

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,679

Full coverage / month

$140

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1679

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

EV Incentives for 2011 Saab 9-5

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 11 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
LIGHTING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK REAR TAILLIGHT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH TAIL LIGHT BULB SOCKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT COMPLETELY RELEASE. NOTICED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AND POOR GAS MILEAGE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: HAVE A 2011 9-5 AERO AND JUST HIT 58K. VERY RECENTLY I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE POPPING/THUDDING WHEN DRIVING AWAY QUICKLY WITH THE WHEEL TURNED, EX: WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND TURNING LEFT/RIGHT. I ALSO CAN FORCE THE CAR TO EXHIBIT THE BINDING/GRINDING DEEP NOISE WHEN IN FIRST WITH THE WHEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

Saab 9-5 — Year Comparison

How does 2011 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.

2011

11Below Average

Full years-to-avoid analysis →

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints: 11
Recalls: 0
Fire reports: 0
Crash reports: 0
Injury reports: 0
Segment avg: 11

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2011 Saab 9-5

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