VehicleVerdict

2005 Saab 9-7X problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2005 Saab 9-7X sits mid-pack among 9-7X years: 33 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 33, with 2 recalls and 4 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across lighting (8), electrical system (7), and fuel system (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

33

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other 9-7X years?

9-7X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted84 complaints2005: 33 complaints2006: 84 complaints2007: 71 complaints2008: 32 complaints2009: 17 complaints
9-7X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-7X years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Saab 9-7X problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting824%
Electrical System721%
Fuel System618%
Other39%
Visibility & Wipers26%
Suspension26%
Seats13%
Speed Control13%
Body & Structure13%
Airbags13%
Engine13%

Does the 2005 Saab 9-7X have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V404000Visibility & WipersJuly 2, 2014 · 184,611 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

Consequence

A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-955-9007 (SAAB), and 1-800-255-6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V-248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.

13V248000Visibility & WipersJune 13, 2013 · 193,652 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.

Consequence

A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.

Remedy

Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463, Isuzu owners at 1-800-255-6727, and Saab owners at 1-800-955-9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-406.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE HEADLIGHTS JUST WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE HIGHBEAMS, FOG LIGHTS AND SIDE MARKERS WILL GO ON. THE HEADLIGHTSL TURNED OFF WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS THANKFULLY JUST PULLING OUT OF MY STREET. HOWEVER IT IS A MAIN ST WITH ALOT OF ACTIVITY DURING CERTAIN TIMES THANKFULLY THAT WAS NOT ONE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 1, 2017

“MY FAMILY AND I WERE OUT ON A SATURDAY EVENING ON 6/11/16. WE STOPPED TO GRAB A SLICE OF PIZZA FROM ONE OF OUR FAMOUS DOWNTOWN PIZZA PLACES. AS WE SAT IN THE CAR EATING OUR PIZZA, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE VENTS AND DASH BOARD. WE IMMEDIATELY JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR. WELL, AFTER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 11, 2016 · fire

“GAS GAUGE EITHER DOES NOT ACCURATELY MEASURE GAS IN THE VEHICLE OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED OVER THE PASS YEAR AND HAS FINALLY QUIT WORKING. HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS ON 3 OCCASIONS. ON ONE INCIDENT HAD 5 MONTH OLD BABY IN CAR AT NIGHT. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 2, 2010

“CAR HEATER WILL NOT WORK UNLESS THE HEAT IS SET TO THE MAX WHICH IS 90 DEGREES. AT ANY OTHER TEMPERATURE, THE CAR WILL BLOW OUT COLD AIR. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · September 13, 2006

“THE HEADLIGHTS WILL GO OFF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY GYM PARKING LOT AT 10PM. ON A ICY NIGHT. THEY WILL NOT TURN BACK ON. HOWEVER THE HIGHBEAMS, FOG LIGHTS SIDE MARKERS WORK. VERY DANGEROUS AND SAFETY IS DEFINITELY AT RISK NOT ONLY FOR MYSELF BUT FOR MY CHILDREN. THERE IS A RECALL FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 31, 2016

2005 Saab 9-7X — common questions

Is the 2005 Saab 9-7X reliable?

It is close to typical for the 9-7X: 33 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 9-7X problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are lighting (8 complaints), electrical system (7 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints).

Does the 2005 Saab 9-7X have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Saab 9-7X. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Saab 9-7X under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9-7X years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9-7X years to avoid are 2006, 2007. The cleanest record among 9-7X years belongs to 2009.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.