KnownCarProblems2005 Saab 9-2X Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Saab 9-2X, most often about the air bags (41% of complaints, typically around 97,500 miles). It is the most complained-about 9-2X model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2005 Saab 9-2X problems
Air bags
46 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 97,500 miles.
Takata recall I am concerned about the time it is taking to repair this. I understand that the parts have to be made but we are going on almost a year since the original recall letter came to me. When I call gm service centers they tell me that parts haven't been made and have no idea when to expect them. I drive my…
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…
Fuel system
41 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
On and off, there is a very strong odor of fuel in the cabin of the car. Had to drive with the windows open. This has been happening since the weather became very cold.
When starting up and driving in cold conditions (temperature below 32f, not referring to engine bay temperature but ambient), a fuel line 'shrinks' or 'leaks' fuel vapor and liquid onto the engine block and causes a very noticeable and nauseous raw gasoline smell. This condition is know and is in a recall for…
Suspension
17 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 126,500 miles.
The driver's side control arm failed, resulting in a loss of steering control. The control arms were subject to a recall in 2012 (which was performed by a Saab dealership at 99,992 miles). After the failure, a spokesperson for the dealership said the control arms were not replaced, but rather a clear rust proofing…
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…
Engine
11 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 97,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
At below freezing temperatures, the fuel line leaks raw gasoline onto the engine, near the turbocharger, creating a fire risk. The evaporated gasoline is immediately pumped into the passenger cabin creating a health risk. This is a known issue for the subaru wrx and a recall was issued. The 2005 Saab 9-2X is…
During cold weather, fuel lines leak/seep raw fuel into engine compartment. If left untreated, could potentially cause engine fire, leading to injury and death. Please get subaru/Saab to fix asap.
Body and structure
6 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: 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
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.
Steering
3 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system.
I purchased a 2005 Saab 9-2X and shortly after was involved in an accident resulting in my car being totaled. The accident occured when the steering failed to work properly resulting in the car jumping a median and landing on its side. Shortly thereafter the car ignited into a fire starting in the engine, which…
Purchased car approx 2 months ago. Odometer read 24,200 miles. Within two months, and 2,000 miles, the car has been in for a whining noise, alarm, power steering, and an air compressor. After 3 weeks back and forth, I am now on my third differential, second air compressor, second power steering pump, and second alarm…
Wheels and tires
3 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: sidewall.
Purchased a used tire from colony tire in greenville, nc on 10/29/07. Later in the day, noticed some cuts or slashes around the sidewall near the rim. Jacked up the car and found similar sidewall separation on the inside sidewall. The tire has not lost pressure, but I do not feel safe driving with a tire in this…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 3%Strong smell of raw fuel at cold start up. Outside temperature approximately 15f. The smell goes away after the car is warmed up after a period of driving. Subsequent occurrences throughout each winter when temperatures are below 20f. Concerned that the leakage could result in a fire or toxic fumes being passed into…
Fuel smell in cold weather. This seems to happen in cold weather only. When I start the car, I get a smell of fuel in the cabin. The car is parked. When I have the air recirculation button pressed, the smell does not enter the cabin.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Saab 9-2X recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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 par
Full defect summary
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.
Suspension: lower arm
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 in
Air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 in
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
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
Questions about the 2005 Saab 9-2X
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saab 9-2X?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (46 complaints, typically around 97,500 miles); fuel system (41 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); suspension (17 complaints, typically around 126,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Saab 9-2X have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 2, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Saab 9-2X?
- It is the most complained-about 9-2X model year since 2000, with 111 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.
Other Saab 9-2X years
- 2005