Model year record

2005 SAAB 9-2X recalls & problems

The 2005 SAAB 9-2X has 4 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (46 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints111filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 2, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V001000258,813 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Air bagsJan 2, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V003000111,562 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

Air bagsMay 28, 2015

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 15V323000432,016 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.

SuspensionSep 6, 2011

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 11V464000318,215 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Risk: A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2005 Saab 9-2X Wagon 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	11.8%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

9-2x Wagon AWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

9-2x Wagon AWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

9-2x Wagon AWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

9-2x Wagon AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Typical mileage*
Air bags	46	0	0	97,400 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	27	0	0	110,000 mi
Suspension	17	0	0	126,675 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	14	0	0	74,500 mi
Engine	8	0	0	125,500 mi
StructureBody	6	0	0	102,427 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	4	1	1	26,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Engine	3	0	0	74,000 mi
Unknown or other	3	0	0	112,000 mi
TiresSidewall	2	0	0	—
Power trainDriveline › Differential unit	2	0	0	—
Service brakes	2	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air 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.
Feb 10, 2025
Air bags
Does recall supposed to be done under the general motors theyâre refusing to do this recall. And itâs the law they have to do this recall not my fault. Itâs a sob that was made by Subaru, but itâs GMâs product 05-06.
Feb 10, 2025
Suspension
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…
May 28, 2021 · 90,000 miles
Structure › 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.
Oct 20, 2020 · 104,000 miles
Structure › Body
METAL PLATE REAR STRUT TOWERS RUSTING OUT. CONSTANTLY, PRESENTS POTENTIAL FOR SUSPENSION TO FAIL AND REAR RUNNING GEAR TO PUNCTURE THE BODY
Jan 1, 2018 · 140,000 miles
Structure › 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
Oct 16, 2020 · 100,854 miles
Suspension
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.
Oct 15, 2020 · 123,100 miles
Unknown 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.
Oct 5, 2019 · 120,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpenLed to recall 14V668
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
EA15001 · opened Feb 24, 2015
Air Bag Inflator RuptureClosedLed to recall 13V172000
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag systems.During the course of PE14-016, ODI determined that five additional vehicle manufacturers used inflators of a similar design and vintage also supplied by Takata. No evidence of field failures was found in vehicles produced by these five additional manufacturers.Nonetheless, at ODI's insistence, all 10 vehicle manufacturers initiated a regional recall within approximately two weeks of the opening of the investigation.The regions recalled initially included Florida, Puerto Rico,…
PE14016 · opened Jun 11, 2014 · closed Mar 2, 2015
Front suspension control arm failureClosedLed to recall 11V464000
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, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and DC.ODI's analysis of consumer complaint data identified 11 reports alleging failure of either the right or left lower control arm due to excessive corrosion. All of these complaints…
PE11011 · opened Apr 7, 2011 · closed Sep 23, 2011