Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2008 Saab 9-7XRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 22 owner complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-7X. Most complaints involve exterior lighting (9) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2015
Owner complaints
22
Top: exterior lighting
Fuel cost / yr
$4,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix, 2006-2009 Buick LaCrosse, 2006-2007 Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, 2006-2008 Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 9-7x vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the headlamp driver module (HDM) may overheat and fail, causing the headlamps and daytime running lights to not illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Aug 14, 2015NHTSA 15V519000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2009 – May 2020
  1. Exterior lighting9
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Engine4
  4. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  5. Air bags2
  6. Steering2
  7. Power train1
  8. Service brakes1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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 9-7X model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200525
200659
200748
200822
200917
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Exterior lighting

9 reports1 fire
“THERE IS NOT A DEALERSHIP THAT IS ABLE TO FIX THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE THAT IS NEAR ME. GM RECALL #: 15037 NHTSA # 15V519 DATE ISSUED: JAN 06, 2015 RECALL TITLE: RECALL 15037 - HEADLAMP DRIVER MODULE RECALL STATUS: INCOMPLETE *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2020Exterior lighting, Unknown or otherODI 11325387

Electrical system

6 reports
“"TAKATA RECALL" PURCHASED FROM EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGR DEALERSHIP IN BRONX, NY 10486 , ON FEB. 28, 2015, ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD INDICATING A POSSIBLE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT BACK APPROXIMATELY 7X TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND APPROXIMATELY 8 ADDITIONAL TIMES AT OTHER MECHANICS. UNFORTUNATELY, LIGHT CONTINUES TODAY. BOTH HEADLIGHTS WERE PROBLEM; DRIVERS SIDE BEGINNING FIRST DIMMING VERY LOW. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS AS WELL. EVENTUALLY IT BECAME A NECESSITY TO BECOME AN EXPENSIVE OUT-OF- POCKET EXPENSE. FINALLY, THE STABILITY CHECK LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON AND OFF MAKING IT NECESSARY TO STOP AND TURN OFF AND RESTART VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED BY DEALER MECHANIC ADVICE. ALLINFORMATION DESCRIBED IS VERIFIED WITH DOCUMENTS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2016Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc), EngineODI 10903590

Engine

4 reports
“I GOT A TROUBLE CODE FOR CYLINDER #7 MISFIRE. IT IS THE LIFTERS GOING OUT DUE TO THE AFM OR DOD, WHATEVER GM CALLS IT. THE SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN THE 8 CYLINDER TO 4 CYLINDERS. $3000 JOB FOR SOMETHING THAT I'M SURE GM IS VERY AWARE OF. THESE 5.3S WITH THIS AFM WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHEN.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2016EngineODI 10822105
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.2L 6-cyl · 5.3L 8-cyl · 6.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-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 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
9-7X AWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
9-7X AWD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131916$4,000555
9-7X AWD
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121613$6,150684
  • 9-7X AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • 9-7X AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • 9-7X AWD
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L
    12 city · 16 hwy · $6,150/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2008 Saab 9-7X as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2610
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

2008 9-7X questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Saab 9-7X have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 2008 Saab 9-7X problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are exterior lighting (9), electrical system (6), engine (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Saab 9-7X get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Saab 9-7X at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026