VehicleVerdict

2006 Saab 9-7X problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 84 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.6 times the median 9-7X year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 5 9-7X years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 32 reports (38% of the total).

84

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other 9-7X years?

9-7X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted84 complaints2005: 33 complaints2006: 84 complaints2007: 71 complaints2008: 32 complaints2009: 17 complaints
9-7X NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-7X years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Saab 9-7X problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System3238%
Electrical System1821%
Lighting1113%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Engine56%
Airbags45%
Speed Control22%
Seats11%
Body & Structure11%
Suspension11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Transmission11%
Latches & Locks11%
Brakes11%

Does the 2006 Saab 9-7X have recalls?

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

15V519000LightingAugust 14, 2015 · 429,170 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Consequence

Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

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.

12V406000Visibility & WipersAugust 16, 2012 · 278,174 units

Defect

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. 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

Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notified by Isuzu Motors when parts are available. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727. SAAB owners will be notified by SAAB Cars North America when parts are available and for inquiries, owners may call SAAB customer service at 1-800-955-9007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

2006 SAAB 9-7X. FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING TANK TO READ FULL WHEN EMPTY, EMPTY WHEN FUEL AND FLUCTUATES IN BETWEEN FULL AND EMPTY. THIS VEHICLE IS THE SAME PLATFORM AS A CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER, GMC ENVOY, BUICK RAINIER. SENSOR FAILED AT 50,500 MILES WHICH IS 500 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 25, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-7X. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE, ENTERED THE HOUSE, RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, AND FOUND THAT THE BURNING ODOR INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT NOTICED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 19, 2018 · fire

TAKATA RECALL I BOUGHT A 2006 SAAB 97X N I HAVE PROBLEMS W MY HID LOW BEAMS THE LEFT SIDE JUST WONT LIGHT UP N WEN IM DRIVIN SOMTIMES MY DRIVIN LIGHTS GO ON N OFF WHILE IM ON THE HIGHWAY ! IVE HAD THE BULBS CHANGED TWICE N STILL THE PASSENGER LOW BEAM WONT LIGHT UP !!!

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · March 25, 2017

MY FUEL GAUGE READING HAS BEEN GOING BACK AND FORTH FROM EMPTY TO FULL. I HAVE PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS IN IT AND IT READS EMPTY. THIS BEGAN A FEW WEEKS AGO AND HAS NOT STOPPED. IT HAS CAUSED MY ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AS WELL. I WENT TO HAVE IT TESTED AT A SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL SENDER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-7X. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE SWEDISH GARAGE FOR AIR BAG REPLACEMENTS, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO START INDEPENDENTLY AND THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR PANEL EMITTED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY AND THE POWER WINDOW MASTER SWITCH WERE REMOVED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 12, 2017 · fire

2006 Saab 9-7X — common questions

Is the 2006 Saab 9-7X reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 84 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 5 9-7X years. It is one of the 9-7X years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 9-7X problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (32 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), lighting (11 complaints).

Does the 2006 Saab 9-7X have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 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 2006 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.