RoadVitals

2005 Saab 9-2X Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
111
Latest Feb 10, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
10
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Saab 9-2X, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags4634.8%
  • Suspension1712.9%
  • Engine118.3%
  • Body & structure64.5%
  • Steering32.3%
  • Tires & wheels21.5%
  • Brakes21.5%
  • Other / unspecified21.5%
  • Powertrain (other)21.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

46
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-2X. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 11V464000 (Suspension) and 15V323000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer and Chevrolet 112 (631) 317-2348) were contacted but referred the contact to Subaru for recall repair assistance. The Subaru manufacturer and GM manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11641779 · filed Feb 10, 2025

Does recall supposed to be done under the general motors they’re refusing to do this recall. And it’s the law they have to do this recall not my fault. It’s a sob that was made by Subaru, but it’s GM’s product 05-06.

NHTSA ID 11641772 · filed Feb 10, 2025
All 46 reports naming airbags

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

41
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN COLD WEATHER ONLY. WHEN I START THE CAR, I GET A SMELL OF FUEL IN THE CABIN. THE CAR IS PARKED. WHEN I HAVE THE AIR RECIRCULATION BUTTON PRESSED, THE SMELL DOES NOT ENTER THE CABIN.

NHTSA ID 11171294 · filed Jan 22, 2019

THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN ON COLD WEATHER STARTS. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE AND FUEL SPRAYING AND POOLING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. SO MUCH FUEL LEAKING THAT IT RAN DOWN AND MADE A PUDDLE UNDER THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 11056615 · filed Dec 26, 2017
All 41 reports naming fuel system

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-2X. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 11V464000 (Suspension) and 15V323000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer and Chevrolet 112 (631) 317-2348) were contacted but referred the contact to Subaru for recall repair assistance. The Subaru manufacturer and GM manufacturer were notified of the issue, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID 11641779 · filed Feb 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-2x. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the control arm fractured. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer and was told rubber bushings and rubber control arm links could be worn. The control could just break apart from rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired in 2012 under NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the failure still occurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure but offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000. The consumer is still waiting to have the vehicle repaired. The consumer stated after arguing with GM, the appoint was set for July 16, 2021.The consumer stated it was determined to be damage a broken control arm, broken sway bar link, broken sway bar and axle being pulled from the differential. There was a temporary control arm replaced in order for the vehicle to move, but the repairs have not been made for this vehicle. The vehicle will need an alignment and parts replaced upon inspection to see if there is more damage. than initial inspection showed.

NHTSA ID 11419165 · filed Jun 1, 2021
All 17 reports naming suspension

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LAST DECEMBER I TOOK MY CAR TO MIDAS ON 2625 STATE ROAD, CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY FIXED MY CATAYTIC CONVERTER. MY CHECK RIGHT ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. ON 022716 INV 0143048 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I HAD TO DO 292.69 WORTH REPAIRS.03172017 INV 0151700 1329.39 WORTH REPAIRS.41517 INV 0152375 1152.39 WORTH REPAIRS.052217 INV 0148090 1000.00 WORTH REPAIRS.ON 061017 INV 0152375 THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED FOR FREE. THE PAIRS WERE RECALLED. TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA OF BEDFORD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.PHONE NUMBER 440 439 2323. THEY SCANNED THE CAR. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STILL NOT RIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC CLEARS THE CODE. HE TOLD ME IT IS A HISTORY CODE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ID 11002686 · filed Jul 2, 2017

AT BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THE FUEL LINE LEAKS RAW GASOLINE ONTO THE ENGINE, NEAR THE TURBOCHARGER, CREATING A FIRE RISK. THE EVAPORATED GASOLINE IS IMMEDIATELY PUMPED INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN CREATING A HEALTH RISK. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THE SUBARU WRX AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED. THE 2005 SAAB 9-2X IS MECHANICALLY IDENTICAL IN THIS REGARD TO THE WRX, BUT NO RECALL WAS ISSUED. DETAILS: HTTPS://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=1893471 EXAMPLES: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/SAAB/9-2X/2005/FUEL_SYSTEM/FUEL_PROPULSION_SYSTEM.SHTML DISCUSSION: HTTP://SAAB92X.COM/VIEWTOPIC.PHP?ID=17792&P=1

NHTSA ID 10940181 · filed Jan 6, 2017
All 11 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE SAAB 9-2X COMMUNITY THAT THE REAR STRUT TOWERS RUST OUT AND FALL APART. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS IT IS SO COMMON WHETHER IN A RUST PRONE STATE OR NOT.

NHTSA ID 11365493 · filed Oct 21, 2020

METAL PLATE REAR STRUT TOWERS RUSTING OUT. CONSTANTLY, PRESENTS POTENTIAL FOR SUSPENSION TO FAIL AND REAR RUNNING GEAR TO PUNCTURE THE BODY

NHTSA ID 11364632 · filed Oct 16, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND COULDN'T TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RUBBER RING (INNER RING) OF THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECOMING MISALIGNED WITH THE METAL RING (OUTER RING), CAUSING THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME SUDDENLY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHICH COULD HAVE POSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN IS IDENTICAL TO THE MORE POPULAR AND BETTER-SELLING 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA, SO THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THAT VEHICLE AS WELL. MY MECHANIC HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE IMPREZAS, BUT SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10434966 · filed Nov 9, 2011

PURCHASED CAR APPROX 2 MONTHS AGO. ODOMETER READ 24,200 MILES. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, AND 2,000 MILES, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR A WHINING NOISE, ALARM, POWER STEERING, AND AN AIR COMPRESSOR. AFTER 3 WEEKS BACK AND FORTH, I AM NOW ON MY THIRD DIFFERENTIAL, SECOND AIR COMPRESSOR, SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND SECOND ALARM SPEAKER. TOMORROW I GO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME WHINING NOISE, THE ALARM SPEAKER (OUT AGAIN), THE AIR COMPRESSOR (EXTREMELY NOISY), AND FUEL ECONOMY ONLY REACHING 12 TO 13 MPG(RATED 19 TO 26). THE DEALERSHIPS "TECH CENTER" SAID THAT THE NOISES WERE INHERENT, BUT IF SO, WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL TWICE, AND WHY WOULD IT GET PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER IN A WEEKS TIME. I LOVED THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT NOW IT FEELS AS IF I BOUGHT A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LOAN CARS LONGER THAN MY OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10199478 · filed Aug 14, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PURCHASED A USED TIRE FROM COLONY TIRE IN GREENVILLE, NC ON 10/29/07. LATER IN THE DAY, NOTICED SOME CUTS OR SLASHES AROUND THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE RIM. JACKED UP THE CAR AND FOUND SIMILAR SIDEWALL SEPARATION ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE HAS NOT LOST PRESSURE, BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH A TIRE IN THIS CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10207493 · filed Oct 30, 2007

WENT TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES ABOUT TIRE COMPLAINTS OF COURSE TIRES ARE NOT COVERED. I KNOW THIS BUT THE CAR HAS ABOUT 15K MILES ON IT NOW AND THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY BALD AND LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE 45K MILES ON IT. SAAB 800# SAID THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING. I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE AND THEY WERE SHOCKED HOW BAD THE TIRES ARE AND IMMEDIATELY RULED IT HAS A SUSPENSION DEFECT OR MAYBE A TOW PROBLEM. THERE IS MAJOR CUPPING WHICH 95% IS SUSPENSION. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10151676 · filed Mar 3, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS REPAIRED AT PATRICK CADILLAC IN SCHAUMBURG, BUT STILL THE "AIRBAG" LIGHT IS ON AT THE DASHBOARD. THE MECHANIC OLD ME THAT THE LIGHT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. SINCE THE LIGHT IS ON, THAT MEANS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SAFETY AIRBAG. ANOTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE ABS. WHENEVER I STEP ON THE BREAKS, THE ABS SHAKES AS IF IT'S BOUNCING ON THE BREAKS, AND THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES. IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEMS? I THOUGHT MY BREAKS NEEDED CHANGING, AND ALL FOUR BREAK PADS WERE CHANGED, BUT THE PROBLEMS PERSISTS.

NHTSA ID 11258942 · filed Sep 30, 2019

BRAKE PRESSURE IN THE PEDAL WAS LOST ABRUPTLY ON MY WAY TO WORK AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I MANAGED TO SAFELY SLOW THE CAR DOWN BUT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO MY HOME I INSPECTED THE BRAKE LINES AND IDENTIFIED A SEVERE BRAKE LINE LEAK AT THE REAR 4-WAY JOINT CONNECTOR. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY BOUGHT FROM SOMEONE IN MICHIGAN WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY SOLD. THAT COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE SHOWED LARGE AMOUNTS OF RUST AND CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10683012 · filed Feb 12, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

LAST DECEMBER I TOOK MY CAR TO MIDAS ON 2625 STATE ROAD, CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH BECAUSE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. THEY FIXED MY CATAYTIC CONVERTER. MY CHECK RIGHT ENGINE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF. ON 022716 INV 0143048 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. I HAD TO DO 292.69 WORTH REPAIRS.03172017 INV 0151700 1329.39 WORTH REPAIRS.41517 INV 0152375 1152.39 WORTH REPAIRS.052217 INV 0148090 1000.00 WORTH REPAIRS.ON 061017 INV 0152375 THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WERE REPLACED FOR FREE. THE PAIRS WERE RECALLED. TOOK THE CAR TO MAZDA OF BEDFORD. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.PHONE NUMBER 440 439 2323. THEY SCANNED THE CAR. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STILL NOT RIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC CLEARS THE CODE. HE TOLD ME IT IS A HISTORY CODE. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON.

NHTSA ID 11002686 · filed Jul 2, 2017

PURCHASED CAR APPROX 2 MONTHS AGO. ODOMETER READ 24,200 MILES. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, AND 2,000 MILES, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR A WHINING NOISE, ALARM, POWER STEERING, AND AN AIR COMPRESSOR. AFTER 3 WEEKS BACK AND FORTH, I AM NOW ON MY THIRD DIFFERENTIAL, SECOND AIR COMPRESSOR, SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND SECOND ALARM SPEAKER. TOMORROW I GO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME WHINING NOISE, THE ALARM SPEAKER (OUT AGAIN), THE AIR COMPRESSOR (EXTREMELY NOISY), AND FUEL ECONOMY ONLY REACHING 12 TO 13 MPG(RATED 19 TO 26). THE DEALERSHIPS "TECH CENTER" SAID THAT THE NOISES WERE INHERENT, BUT IF SO, WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL TWICE, AND WHY WOULD IT GET PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER IN A WEEKS TIME. I LOVED THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT NOW IT FEELS AS IF I BOUGHT A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LOAN CARS LONGER THAN MY OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10199478 · filed Aug 14, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND COULDN'T TURN MY STEERING WHEEL TO EXIT THE DRIVEWAY. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE RUBBER RING (INNER RING) OF THE ENGINE'S CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BECOMING MISALIGNED WITH THE METAL RING (OUTER RING), CAUSING THE BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PULLEY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME SUDDENLY DIFFICULT TO TURN WHICH COULD HAVE POSED A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD. PLEASE NOTE MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND DRIVETRAIN IS IDENTICAL TO THE MORE POPULAR AND BETTER-SELLING 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA, SO THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THAT VEHICLE AS WELL. MY MECHANIC HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE IMPREZAS, BUT SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID 10434966 · filed Nov 9, 2011

PURCHASED CAR APPROX 2 MONTHS AGO. ODOMETER READ 24,200 MILES. WITHIN TWO MONTHS, AND 2,000 MILES, THE CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR A WHINING NOISE, ALARM, POWER STEERING, AND AN AIR COMPRESSOR. AFTER 3 WEEKS BACK AND FORTH, I AM NOW ON MY THIRD DIFFERENTIAL, SECOND AIR COMPRESSOR, SECOND POWER STEERING PUMP, AND SECOND ALARM SPEAKER. TOMORROW I GO BACK TO THE SHOP FOR THE SAME WHINING NOISE, THE ALARM SPEAKER (OUT AGAIN), THE AIR COMPRESSOR (EXTREMELY NOISY), AND FUEL ECONOMY ONLY REACHING 12 TO 13 MPG(RATED 19 TO 26). THE DEALERSHIPS "TECH CENTER" SAID THAT THE NOISES WERE INHERENT, BUT IF SO, WHY WOULD THEY REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL TWICE, AND WHY WOULD IT GET PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER IN A WEEKS TIME. I LOVED THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT, BUT NOW IT FEELS AS IF I BOUGHT A LEMON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING LOAN CARS LONGER THAN MY OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10199478 · filed Aug 14, 2007

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .