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Research · Small Station Wagons

2006 Saab 9-2XRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints for the 2006 Saab 9-2X. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and exterior lighting (2). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
10
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." 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 bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

10 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2014 – Aug 2024
  1. Air bags8
  2. Exterior lighting2
  3. Structure1
  4. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 9-2X model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2005111
200610
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-2X. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V002000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2024Air bagsODI 11607490

Exterior lighting

2 reports
“THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON A CONSTANT BASIS. ONE HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT SOON AS YOU FIX IT THE OTHER HEADLIGHT WOULD GO OUT. HOWEVER NOW THE ISSUE HAS BECOME WHERE WHEN I LEAVE TO GO DRIVE SOMEWHERE AT NIGHT MY LIGHTS DON'T EVEN COME ON AT ALL AND I'M FORCED TO HAVE TO USE MY BRIGHTS IN ORDER TO DRIVE HOME. AT FIRST IT WAS JUST A BOTHERSOME THING BUT HAND A LITTLE BIT ANNOYING TO KEEP HAVING TO REPLACE THE LIGHT BULBS. NOW IT'S NO LONGER AND ANNOYANCE, IT HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALSO POSSIBLY AN ISSUE OF BEING PULLED OVER FOR DRIVING WITH MY BRIGHTS ON. I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM MY MOM ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO AND EVEN SHE RECENTLY TOLD ME SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN SHE OWNED IT AS WELL APPARENTLY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2016Exterior lightingODI 10916703

Structure

1 report1 crash1 fire
“THIS IS FOR TWO EVENTS: 1) I PURCHASED VEH NEW IN 2006. IN 2012 I HAD JUST SERVICED W/OIL CHANGE, CHECK UP AT 51000 MI. ONE MORNING, ENGINE MADE A SOUND LIKE PEBBLES HITTING IT, BEGAN TO SMOKE LIKE ON FIRE, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, ENGINE CEASED. I HAD TO TOW THE VEH AND TO PURCHASE REBUILT ENGINE AS WAS TOLD ENGINE DESTROYED. GM WOULD NOT HONOR DEALER WARRANTY. SAAB WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. NO LOCAL DEALER WOULD REPLACE/REPAIR ENGINE. I TRIED JERRY SEINER, KEN GARF, MARK MILLER IN UT AND KACHINA AND LEGENDS IN AZ; NO ONE WOULD HONOR WARRANTY WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST IN SHOP FOR FULL CHECKUP AND OIL CHANGE AND DEEMED ROAD WORTHY. MY VEH HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALER AND GARAGED. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE TIMELY.NO ONE WOULD REPLACE ENGINE. RIDICULOUS TO CEASE AT 51,000 MI. 2) ON 10/13/2014 I HAVE 72,000 MI ON VEH AND WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE STOPPED AT LITE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I SLID INTO STEERING WHEEL SUSTAINING INJURY. AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE IMPACT (HIT BY VEH GOING APPROX 45 MPH). *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2015Air bags, Structure, EngineCrash reportedFire reportedODI 10689383
All 2006 9-2X problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
9-2x Wagon AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192522$2,900404
9-2x Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900404
9-2x Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,800423
9-2x Wagon AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$4,000444
  • 9-2x Wagon AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 9-2x Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • 9-2x Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 9-2x Wagon AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    18 city · 23 hwy · $4,000/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Saab 9-2X as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1861
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 9-2X questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Saab 9-2X have?

7 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Saab 9-2X problems?

Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), exterior lighting (2), structure (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Saab 9-2X get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Saab 9-2X at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026