MotorDeets

2005 Saab 9-2X: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2005 Saab 9-2X: 4 recalls, 111 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

4vehicle recalls
111owner complaints
1mention a crash
23best combined mpg
2005 Saab 9-2X
Photo: Crazytales · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Suspension Vehicle recall #11V464000 · 2011 · 318,215 vehicles

What's wrong: 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.

Why it matters: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #15V323000 · 2015 · 432,016 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: 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.

The 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.

Airbags Vehicle recall #20V001000 · 2020 · 258,813 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The 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

Airbags Vehicle recall #20V003000 · 2020 · 111,562 vehicles

What's wrong: 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…

Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The 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

Most-reported problems

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.

Airbags46
Fuel & propulsion27
Suspension17
Fuel system14
Engine8
Body & structure6
Steering3
Engine & cooling3

What owners describe

The 2005 Saab 9-2X has 111 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 2 9-2X model years for complaints (1.8× the average 9-2X year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 100,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2006 (10 complaints, 7 recalls).

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
2.5 L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive202623Regular
2.5 L 4-cylManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive202722Regular
2.0 L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive172420Premium
2.0 L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive172319Premium

Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.

Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Saab 9-2X.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2005 Saab 9-2X manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2005 Saab 9-2X manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2005 Saab 9-2X manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2005 Saab 9-2X manual

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FAQ

Does the 2005 Saab 9-2X have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Saab 9-2X. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2005 Saab 9-2X problems?

Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (46), fuel & propulsion (27), suspension (17).

What gas mileage does the 2005 Saab 9-2X get?

EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2005 Saab 9-2X repair manual?

eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.

Other 9-2X years

20052006