Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Saab 9-7X, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 20 | 34% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3% |
| Visibility | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-7X. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MIRROR WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT ALSO ADJUSTE
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL KEPT GETTING STUCK , THE DRIVER WINDOW NOR ANY PANELS ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR WORKS.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TAKATA RECALL THE HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ON ONE GO OUT TO THE OTHER GO OUT AND THEY COME BACK ON THEN THEY GO OUT AGAIN ALL THROUGH WHILE I'M DRIVING HEADLIGHTS WILL NOT STAY ON COME ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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 EMITT
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-7X. WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER FUEL LEVEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS D
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-7X. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTANTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE AIR BAG WAS R
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 Saab 9-7X. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 corro
Risk: 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 outsid
Fix: 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 i
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 headlam
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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
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,
Risk: 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 outsid
Fix: 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,
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 sho
Risk: 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 outsid
Fix: 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 wil
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 65 | good |
| Depreciation | 67 | good |
| Performance | 72 | good |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 20 of them (34%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.