2005 Saab 9-7X: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern exterior lighting.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jul 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2025
“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.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2017
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Dec 2016
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“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.”Owner report · Seats · Jun 2016
“As I was driving my low beam headlights will turn off. They will not reset or come back on. Fog lamps and high beams work fine. I have seen recalls for this issue in the 2006 model. But it seems as if the 2005 model has the same concern.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2015
“There's a recall on low beam headlamps shutting off while driving at night. I called saab dealership because I was pulled over by state trooper bc lights shut off while I was driving and issued a warning. Dealership said there was a recall but no part available yet. I asked when there might be a part available and they said they've been waiting sense last june of 2014 and still no part available. This is a serious issue bc I drive home every night and no warning when lights will randomly shut off.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2015
“While driving at night the headlights were set on automatic mode when all of a sudden they went out and I tried to turn them to the regular on position and they did not come on, the high beams did not work either. This has happened on several occasions and from what I read on line I'm not the only one that has this issue. I believe the recall should include my 2005 model as well. Other electrical issues! (instrument panel-gages) most tacked out, also speedometer gage issues (gets stuck at one speed and when yu slow down it doesn't go back down but if you get back up to speed it will continue to climb ie: showing a false speed of 95-mph but actually only going about 55-mph.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2014
“Similar to NHTSA id number: 10667221 event , where the headlights blinked out. In my situation, I was able to turn them off, and then back on. This happened multiple times, but stopped for the winter. It ha returned. I can not go a mile without the lights going out.... I also looked at the net and discovered the recall for 2006, but not 2005..... I also agree this recall should include 2005 my. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jun 2014
“While driving at night the headlights were set on automatic mode when all of a sudden they went out and I tried to turn them to the regular on position and they did not come on either so I turn on the high beams to make it home that was pretty scary since the it has being doing it intermittent every time so I can't drive at night for the fear of getting pulled over or wrecking I don't know what else to do I did go on the internet and read where there is a recall about the saab. 97x 2006-2008 I think the recall should be on the 2005 model also I would appreciate your help in this matter. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2014
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Dec 2013
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2005 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 9-7X by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2005 Saab 9-7X reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2005 Saab 9-7X. The most complained-about area is exterior lighting.
Does the 2005 Saab 9-7X have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.