FaultScore

FaultScore report

2006 Saab 9-2X problems

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2006 Saab 9-2X with NHTSA between 2014 and 2024. The largest single group is the airbags.

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

12

Complaints

3

Crashes reported

3

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

55,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

0%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What breaks on a 2006 Saab 9-2X

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 8 66.7%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 68,000 mi

Lights 2 16.7%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

Body & Structure 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 51,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 1 8.3%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 51,000 mi

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

50,000 – 74,999 miles 6 75.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 12.5%
150,000+ miles 1 12.5%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 2014 peak 3 Aug 2024

NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Saab 9-2X

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

PE11011 Opened 7 Apr 2011 Closed 23 Sep 2011 SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Front suspension control arm failure

On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of Columbia (DC). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mis...

Recalls on the 2006 Saab 9-2X

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2020002 203 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. Long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, may eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger-front airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. If the airbag inflator ruptures, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants or cause damage to the airbag assembly, preventing its proper function. Safety Risk: If the vehicle is involved in a crash requiring an airbag deployment, the airbag inflator could rupture and create a risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a dealer to inspect the passenger-front airbag inflator. The passenger-front airbag module or inflator will be replaced as necessary. Note: The Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. This recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk. It is expected that all airbag inflators will be replaced before their function would be affected.

Recall 2017021 378 units in Canada

Airbag

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the passenger frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected.

Recall 2011348 1,038 units in Canada

Suspension

On certain vehicles, the front lower control arms could corrode due to exposure to humid environments and road de-icing chemicals. Over time, corrosion could progress causing thinning and perforation of the steel, which could allow the control arm to fracture near the forward pivot attachment to the chassis. Lower control arm failure could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Saab dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and, depending on the degree of corrosion exhibited, will either rustproof or replace them. Owners may contact 1-800-955-9007 to locate the nearest Saab approved repair facility.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Brighton, MI

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-2X. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V002000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11607490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Juan, PR

AIR BAGS

RECALL AIRBAG. IN PUERTO RICO CANNOT FIND ANYONE TO REPLACE IT AS IT IS SAAB 2006

NHTSA complaint #11307681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Anchorage, AK

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I AM UNABLE TO FIND A SAAB DEALER IN ANCHORAGE ALASKA TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK. THE SUGGESTED DEALER DOES NOT DO SERVICE WORK ON VEHICLES.

NHTSA complaint #11056878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Conneaut, OH

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I GOT A NOTICE OVER 6 MONTHS AGO THAT MY CAR IS UNSAFE AND TO NOT USE THE PASS FRONT SEAT. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 4 SO HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD GET ANOTHER NOTICE, WHEN MY PART WAS AVAILABLE AND SO FAR NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. THE AMOUNT OF TIME THIS IS TAKING IS UNACCEPTABLE. MY WIFE, MYSELF AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN ARE AT RISK!

NHTSA complaint #10947415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,000 miles Brighton, MI

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL PARTS UNAVAILABLE: THIS IS TAKING WAY TOO LONG, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PUT PASSENGERS IN THE FROM PASSENGER SEAT FOR OVER A YEAR. GM NEEDS TO PRIORITIZE GETTING ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES REPAIRED. I KNOW THAT OTHER SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED, WHY NOT OURS? UNACCEPTABLE!

NHTSA complaint #10940266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A CONSTANT BASIS. ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT SOON AS YOU FIX IT THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT. HOWEVER NOW THE ISSUE HAS BECOME WHERE WHEN I LEAVE TO GO DRIVE SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT MY LIGHTS DON'T EVEN COME ON AT ALL AND I'M FORCED TO HAVE TO USE MY BRIGHTS IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A BOTHERSOME THING BUT HAND A LITTLE BIT ANNOYING TO KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS. NOW IT'S NO LONGER AND ANNOYANCE, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO POSSIBLY AN ISSUE OF BEING PULLED OVER FOR DRIVING WITH MY BRIGHTS ON. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM MY MOM ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND EVEN SHE RECENTLY TOLD ME SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN SHE OWNED IT AS WELL APPARENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10916703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Ellijay, GA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

DRIVING LIGHTS WILL GO OUT AT UNKNOWING TIMES. RECEIVED 1ST LETTER FROM GM A SAFETY RECALL STATING THAT MY SAAB HAD A DEFECT RELATING TO HEAD LAMPS AND RUNNING LAMPS COULD FAIL. SET UP APPOINTMENT WITH GM REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THEY SAID THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL . RECEIVED 2ND LETTER FROM GM STATING THAT MY SAAB IS NOT INCLUDED ON RECALL, AS RECALLS WERE SENT OUT TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. LETTER I RECEIVED FROM GM STATES MY VEHICLE HAS HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE [HID] HEADLAMPS. THEN WHY DO MY HEADLIGHTS GO OUT AT ANY TIME. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR NIGHT DRIVING. ANY HELP WITH THIS MATTER WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #10700927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

STRUCTURE:BODY

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Salt Lake City, UT Crash Fire 1 injured

ENGINE

THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH).

NHTSA complaint #10689383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Hyannis, MA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 92X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #10672387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Decatur, GA

AIR BAGS

I HAD BEEN DRIVING MY CAR ON A CITY STREET FOR < 2 MINUTES AT ~ 30 MPH. THE RED WARNING TRIANGLE WITH ! CANE ON . WITHIN 10 SECONDS THERE WAS A BANG UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT, IN ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD AND DASHBOARD. IN ANOTHER 5 OR SO SECONDS THE DRIVERS' SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE DEPLOYMENT, NO COLLISION, DRY STREETS, NO OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10653913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.