RoadVitals

2005 Saab 9-7X 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.
25
Latest Dec 10, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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 9-7X, 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

  • Electrical722.6%
  • Fuel system619.4%
  • Visibility26.5%
  • Suspension26.5%
  • Driver assistance13.2%
  • Interior & seats13.2%
  • Body & structure13.2%
  • Other / unspecified13.2%
  • Airbags13.2%
  • Engine13.2%

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

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 THIS ON THE 2006 MODEL. SOMEONE MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE WRONG INFORMATION OR DISREGARDED THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS MODEL AS WELL. THIS REQUIRES ATTENTION ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10939042 · filed Jan 2, 2017

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 THEM.

NHTSA ID 10939031 · filed Jan 2, 2017
All 8 reports naming exterior lighting

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-7X. The contact stated that the fog lights independently turned on and failed to turn off. Upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the sound went away. The contact also stated that the rear suspension was sagging. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility). Several unknown local dealers were contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ID 11704147 · filed Dec 10, 2025

MANUFACTURER: GENERAL MOTORS LLC MFR'S REPORT DATE: AUG 15, 2012 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V406000 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA12004 COMPONENT: VISIBILITY, POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS WAS ADVISED IN 2015 THAT THE DRIVERS DOOR MODULE WAS UNDER RECALL AS A FIRE HAZARD. IT WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT MODULE STARTED ON FIRE. THE LOCAL DEALER BLAMED 'RAIN WATER GETTING IN IT.' I ORDERED A BRAND NEW DDM THAT HAS NEVER SEEN THE ELEMENTS OR BEEN INSTALLED IN A CAR ' AND IT HAS THE SAME CORROSION THAT CAUSED MY FIRE! SEE PIC. TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY THE LOCAL GMC AND CHEVY DEALERS BOTH SAY 'OH THAT'S A SAAB, WE CAN'T PROGRAM THAT.' THE NEAREST DEALER WILLING TO DO THIS WORK IS ZIMBRICK IN MADISON WISCONSIN. IT'S 150 MILES AWAY. THEY'RE STATING THEY CAN'T DO THE WORK A SECOND TIME UNDER THE CALL. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY WINDOW SWITCH BEFORE THEY DID THE RECALL WORK, AND SUPPOSEDLY THE 'SUPERIOR' FIXED PART IN FACT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IF THIS WAS A TRAILBLAZER OR AN ENVOY THEY'D DO THE WORK BUT BECAUSE IT'S A SAAB THEY'RE BEING STUPID AND SAYING THEY CAN'T WORK ON SAAB'S. IT'S THE SAME THING. BOTTOM LINE: THE RECALL WORK DOES NOT MITIGATE THE FIRE HAZARD AND BRAND NEW REPLACEMENT MODULES HAVE THE SAME CORROSION THAT GM BLAMES ON 'WATER GETTING INTO THE DDM.' I CHALLENGE THAT NARRATIVE AND BELIEVE ALL THESE VEHICLES MAY STILL BE A FIRE HAZARD

NHTSA ID 11088922 · filed Apr 18, 2018

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

Fuel system

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

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE GAS GAUGE IS STOPPED WORKING AND DISPLAYS THE WRONG READING, THIS CAUSED MY WIFE AND CHILDREN TO STALL ON THE HIGHWAY, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10430362 · filed Oct 16, 2011

THE FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR DOES NOT GO OFF. I HAVE PUT GAS IN THIS VEHICLE ON 2 SERERATE OCCASIONS IN 1 DAY AND IT DID NOT IDICATE ANY FUEL. IT CONTINUED TO SAY "LOW FUEL". I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TODAY... *TR

NHTSA ID 10430347 · filed Oct 16, 2011

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-7X. The contact stated that the fog lights independently turned on and failed to turn off. Upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the sound went away. The contact also stated that the rear suspension was sagging. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility). Several unknown local dealers were contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ID 11704147 · filed Dec 10, 2025

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 THIS ON THE 2006 MODEL. SOMEONE MAY HAVE RECEIVED THE WRONG INFORMATION OR DISREGARDED THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS MODEL AS WELL. THIS REQUIRES ATTENTION ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10939042 · filed Jan 2, 2017

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

Suspension

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

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-7X. The contact stated that the fog lights independently turned on and failed to turn off. Upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted, and the sound went away. The contact also stated that the rear suspension was sagging. There were no warning lights illuminated. Upon research, the contact located NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V406000 (Electrical System, Visibility). Several unknown local dealers were contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA ID 11704147 · filed Dec 10, 2025

THIS CAR HAS HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION, IT CONSTANTLY HAS TO BE LIFT FROM THE IGNITION, I BOUGHT THE CAR 3 YEARS AGO, AND THIS PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR, ALSO THE THROTTLE BODY HAS DEFECTS MAKING IT REALLY HARD TO DRIVE AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10577192 · filed Apr 3, 2014

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

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS CAR HAS HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AIR SUSPENSION, IT CONSTANTLY HAS TO BE LIFT FROM THE IGNITION, I BOUGHT THE CAR 3 YEARS AGO, AND THIS PROBLEM STARTED LAST YEAR, ALSO THE THROTTLE BODY HAS DEFECTS MAKING IT REALLY HARD TO DRIVE AT TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ID 10577192 · filed Apr 3, 2014

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 SMOKE, WE SAW FIRE. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE HOOD, DASHBOARD, FRONT AND BACK SEATS MELTED LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER. MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON WERE IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE/FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA ID 10876194 · filed Jun 23, 2016

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

Body & structure

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 SMOKE, WE SAW FIRE. THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. THE HOOD, DASHBOARD, FRONT AND BACK SEATS MELTED LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER. MY WIFE AND YOUNG SON WERE IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A CITY STREET WHEN SMOKE/FIRE STARTED.

NHTSA ID 10876194 · filed Jun 23, 2016

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 10169890 · filed Oct 3, 2006

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

Airbags

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TAKATA RECALL SENSOR HAS GONE OFF AND WILL NOT TURN OFF.

NHTSA ID 10854128 · filed Apr 7, 2016

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

Engine

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BURNT EXHAUST VALVE IN CYLINDER 1 AT ONLY 75000 MILES. HAD TO HAVE THE HEAD REMOVED AND MACHINED. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VALVE SEAT WAS FAULTY. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT ASSIST IN THE REPAIR. APPROXIMATE COST WAS $1800. *TR

NHTSA ID 10430361 · filed Oct 16, 2011

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 .