Chevrolet Malibu vs Saab 9-5
Owner complaints, worst years and recall history side by side, from official NHTSA data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
Chevrolet Malibu
- Total complaints
- 19,259
- Avg per model year
- 584
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 51
- Most complained year
- 2009 (1,509)
Top problems: Steering, Electrical System, Engine
Saab 9-5
- Total complaints
- 445
- Avg per model year
- 46
- Recall campaigns (all years)
- 8
- Most complained year
- 1999 (118)
Top problems: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling, Air Bags
Complaints by model year
| Year | Chevrolet Malibu | Saab 9-5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 976 | 9 | ||
| 2008 | 987 | 20 | ||
| 2007 | 977 | 17 | ||
| 2006 | 1,115 | 23 | ||
| 2005 | 975 | 11 | ||
| 2004 | 1,147 | 19 | ||
| 2003 | 569 | 47 | ||
| 2002 | 567 | 53 | ||
| 2001 | 721 | 82 | ||
| 2000 | 922 | 102 | ||
| 1999 | 789 | 118 |
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports per model year. A model that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — compare the shape across years, not just the raw totals, and read the year pages for what actually fails.