SAAB 9-2X · model year

2005 SAAB 9-2X

136 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005SAAB9-2X carries 136 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 9-2X is air bags with 46 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (27) and suspension (17). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2005 9-2X. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

136
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

136 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS46
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM27
SUSPENSION17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE14
ENGINE8
STRUCTURE:BODY6
STEERING3
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
SERVICE BRAKES2
TIRES1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT1
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
EQUIPMENT1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1

Recalls (4)

15V32300028/05/2015

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008,

11V46400006/09/2011

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK,

20V00100002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawai

20V00300002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,

Recent Complaints

20250210AIR BAGS

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.

20250210AIR BAGS

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.

20250210SUSPENSION

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.

20210601SUSPENSION

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 mov

Mileage: 90,000

20201021STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 104,000

20201021SUSPENSION

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.

Mileage: 104,000

20201016STRUCTURE:BODY

BOTH REAR LEFT AND RIGHT STRUT TOWERS BEGAN RUSTING TO THE POINT THE REAR SUSPENSION ALIGNMENT WAS CONSTANTLY SHIFTING DUE TO THE LACK OF STRUCTURE REMAINING IN THE BODY

Mileage: 100,854

20201016STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 140,000

20201016SUSPENSION

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

Mileage: 140,000

20201015STRUCTURE:BODY

IT IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X'S, SUBARU WRX'S THAT THE REAR STRUT TOWERS ARE PRONE TO RUST THROUGH AND CAUSE A REAR STRUT TO COMPLETELY BREAK FREE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A GENERAL MOTORS/SUBARU ISSUE, SINCE THE 9-2X IS ALL SUBARU PARTS WITH SAAB BADGING.

20201015STRUCTURE:BODY

SEVERE STRUT TOWER RUST WITH MANY PEOPLES COLLAPSING. THIS IS DIRECTLY DUE TO SUBARU AND GMS MANUFACTURING OF THE CAR.

20201015STRUCTURE:BODY

STRUT TOWERS CORROSION

Mileage: 100,000

20201015SUSPENSION

STRUT TOWERS CORROSION

Mileage: 100,000

20201015UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FOUR BOLTS THAT THE REAR SEATS ATTACH TO HOLD MOISTURE WHICH THEN INFILTRATES THE STRUT TOWERS AND CAUSES THEM TO ROT OUT. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS YOU CAN BE DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE, A WHEEL WILL DISCONNECT FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY BECOME A HAZARD THAT FORCES YOU TO WRECK THE CAR SINCE THE WHEEL IS NO LONGER ATTACHED. EVERY SAAB 9-2X HAS THIS ISSUE AND EVERY OWNER EITHER PARTS THE CAR OUT OR HAS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WHICH I RECENTLY DID TO THE TUNE OF $1,075. JUST TO KEEP THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. THE FIX REQUIRES THE RUSTED AREA TO BE CUT OUT AND THEN NEW METAL WELDED IN SO IT CAN REGAIN STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY.

Mileage: 120,000

20201015SUSPENSION

MY STRUT TOWERS HAVE BEGUN TO RUST, AND IF I DON'T REPAIR AND WELD IT SOON, MY REAR STRUTS MIGHT RIP THROUGH THE TOWERS. THE REAR STRUT TOWERS OF SAAB 92X RUST OUT OVER TIME DUE TO MOISTURE GETTING THROUGH THE TOWERS AND GETTING TRAPPED UNDER SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL. THIS CAUSES VIRTUALLY EVERY NON-FAIRWEATHER 92X TO UNDERGO A RUSTED STRUT TOWER ON THE FRAME. THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM, THE FIRST RECOMMENDED STEP WHEN BUYING USED IS TO CHECK THESE FRAMES AS THE REAR STRUTS CAN RIP THROUGH WHEN THEY ARE RUSTED AND CAUSE A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. THE ONLY PROPER FIX IS WELDING.

Mileage: 123,100

20200925SUSPENSION

CAR HAS HAD THE RECALL ACTIONS PERFORMED ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS. THE PASSENGER CONTROL ARM FAILED IN THE SAME PLACE ADDRESSED BY THE RECALL, DESPITE HAVING THE 'FIX'. IT FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND DAMAGE OF MULTIPLE OTHER COMPONENTS.

Mileage: 260,000

20200916SUSPENSION

VEHICLE WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN RIGHT-FRONT SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVE-ABLE AS ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS LOOSE AND RUBBING AGAINST CAR BODY. LUCKILY, CAR WAS ONLY MOVING AT LOW SPEED AT THAT MOMENT AND WAS STOPPED WITHOUT INJURY TO DRIVER OR DAMAGE TO OTHER CARS OR PROPERTY. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED (TAKEN TO NEAREST CHEVROLET DEALER). CHEVY SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED ISSUE, STATING THAT RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM CORRODED AND BROKE. OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS WERE DAMAGED, AS WELL, AS A RESULT OF CONTROL ARM COLLAPSE. CAR WAS SUBJECT TO SAAB RECALL NO. 15031 (11281). THIS IS ALSO NHTSA RECALL NO. 11V-464, DATED APRIL 2012. RECALL CONCERNS CORROSION OF CONTROL ARMS. THIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL IN SEPTEMBER 2012, WITH CONTROL ARMS BEING INSPECTED AND UNDER-COATED. (SERVICE RECEIPT AVAILABLE IF NEEDED FOR INVESTIGATION.) CHEVY AND SAAB WOULD NOT PROVIDE REPAIR REIMBURSEMENT AS RECALL WAS OFFICIALLY CLOSED OUT. CONCERN IS THAT MANY SAAB AND

Mileage: 178,000

20200512AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-2X. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V001000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ROYAL BUICK GMC LOCATED AT 11055 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70816, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO TOOLS NOR A QUALIFIED SAAB TECHNICIAN ON SITE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT ANOTHER GM, CHEVROLET, CADILLAC OR BUICK DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A DEALER WITH THE TOOLS NEEDED NOR A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN TO DO THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

20190930AIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 97,800

20190930SERVICE BRAKES

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.

Mileage: 97,800

Compare 2005SAAB9-2X to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 SAAB 9-2X have?
The 2005 SAAB 9-2X has 136 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 SAAB 9-2X?
Yes, the 2005 SAAB 9-2X has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 SAAB 9-2X?
The most-complained component for the 2005 SAAB 9-2X is AIR BAGS with 46 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and SUSPENSION.
Is the 2005 SAAB 9-2X safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.