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2008 Saab 9-7X

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-7X do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 25.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all 9-7X years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 17 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

22 reports
99,950 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Engine

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.

NHTSA ODI #10822105

78,000 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Air Bags

SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO AN ACCIDENT OR ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. IT WAS A RANDOM EVENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAAB/VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN CHARLOTTE, NC WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THEY WILL…

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SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS WAS NOT DUE TO AN ACCIDENT OR ANY TYPE OF IMPACT. IT WAS A RANDOM EVENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE SAAB/VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN CHARLOTTE, NC WHERE IT WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS HAPPENED AND THE DEALERSHIP IS SAYING THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR COSTS. THIS IS CLEARLY A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE ROAD AT 45MPH. WE HAVE PICTURES ON OUR CELL PHONE AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10821069

106,000 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Exterior LightingFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-7X. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE LAMP CONTROL RELAY FUSE WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX AND THE HEAD LAMP DRIVER MODULE MELTED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-7X. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION WHEN ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THE LAMP CONTROL RELAY FUSE WAS REPLACED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE FUSE BOX AND THE HEAD LAMP DRIVER MODULE MELTED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V755000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED DUE TO THE REMEDY BEING UNDER DEVELOPMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ODI #10745414

82,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Exterior Lighting

MAR 5, 2015 - BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY EARLY MORNING, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. TRIED HIGH BEAMS, THEY DIDN'T WORK EITHER. RUNNING LIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS ARE ON, JUST NO LOW/HIGH BEAMS. CANNOT LEAVE FOR WORK IN MORNING UNTIL IT GETS LIGHT, CANNOT STAY OUT IN EVENING BECAUSE CAR HAS NO LIGHTS. LOCAL DEALERS SAY SAAB 2008 9-7X NO…

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MAR 5, 2015 - BACKING UP IN DRIVEWAY EARLY MORNING, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. TRIED HIGH BEAMS, THEY DIDN'T WORK EITHER. RUNNING LIGHTS AND FOG LIGHTS ARE ON, JUST NO LOW/HIGH BEAMS. CANNOT LEAVE FOR WORK IN MORNING UNTIL IT GETS LIGHT, CANNOT STAY OUT IN EVENING BECAUSE CAR HAS NO LIGHTS. LOCAL DEALERS SAY SAAB 2008 9-7X NOT IN RECALL, BUT NHTSA SITE SAYS OTHERWISE, AND SAAB CUST SERVICE CONFIRMS. CANNOT GET LOCAL DEALER TO FIX UNLESS I PAY FIRST, AND NO FIX GUARANTEED DUE TO SAAB NOT HAVING RESOLVED ISSUE YET. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIX THIS CAR IF IT'S MANUFACTURERS POOR DESIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10693314

50,000 miles · Dec 5, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE AT APPROX. 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, MY PASSENGER BUMPED THE IGNITION KEY, LOCATED BETWEEN THE GEAR SHIFTER AND CENTER CONSOLE. MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HWY, AND IT HAPPENED OTHER TIMES, TOO. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MODULE, WHICH HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED W…

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WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE AT APPROX. 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, MY PASSENGER BUMPED THE IGNITION KEY, LOCATED BETWEEN THE GEAR SHIFTER AND CENTER CONSOLE. MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HWY, AND IT HAPPENED OTHER TIMES, TOO. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR MODULE, WHICH HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS AFTER GETTING ONLY SLIGHTLY WET. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW, POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THE SAME PROBLEM, AND EVERY DOOR IS LIKELY AFFECTED. SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE IS USED MOST FREQUENTLY, THE PROBLEM JUST BECOMES OBVIOUS ON THAT ONE. THE IGNITION IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AFTER LEAVING THE SUNROOF OPEN MISTAKENLY. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START FOR 24 HRS, AND THE TURN SIGNAL HAS SINCE HAD PROBLEMS WITH FLASHING TOO QUICKLY. THE DESIGN OBVIOUSLY LACKS BASIC ATTEMPTS TO KEEP WATER AWAY FROM ITS ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH A SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY GOING ON AND OFF. IT WAS TAKEN BACK FOR SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS EITHER NEVER RESOLVED, OR CONTINUES TO RECUR. I DON''T KNOW WHETHER STABILITRAK IS OR WAS FUNCTIONING AT ANY POINT, OR IF IT'S JUST THE LIGHT. AROUND THE SAME TIME, THE CRUISE CONTROL STARTED TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY AND THEN COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. IN ADDITION, THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THE ABS SYSTEM WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. ALTHOUGH IT HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY, I WOULD HAVE DIED OR BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I HADN'T DOWNSHIFTED AND PULLED MY E-BRAKE IN ORDER TO FINALLY GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. YET, THE 9-7X WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL GM ISSUED FOR THE VERY SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER VEHICLES. THERE IS SERIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A DEATH TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662391

50,000 miles · Nov 9, 2014
Electrical System

THIS MODEL HAS FAULTY/SUBSTANDARD DESIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RUSTED OUT TRUNK LATCH TWICE, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FAILS TO CLOSE AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES, ( NEVER HAVE I PREVIOUSLY HAD A CRACK IN A WINDSHIELD) , HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO SHORT OUT AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AMONG MANY OTHER I…

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THIS MODEL HAS FAULTY/SUBSTANDARD DESIGN. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RUSTED OUT TRUNK LATCH TWICE, DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FAILS TO CLOSE AFTER SEVERAL REPAIRS, WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED 3 TIMES, ( NEVER HAVE I PREVIOUSLY HAD A CRACK IN A WINDSHIELD) , HEADLIGHTS CONTINUE TO SHORT OUT AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, AMONG MANY OTHER ISSUES. HAVE NO FAITH THAT THIS CAR HAS SAFE AIRBAGS. ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653671

100,000 miles · Oct 19, 2014
Electrical System

I WAS TRYING TO SHUT DOWN MY CAR AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS IN PARK, I COULDN'T GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO, AFTER A FEW TIMES, THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON. IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS UNTIL I COULD FINALLY SHUT OFF MY CAR WITH THE CAR BATTERY NOT BEING DRAINED. ADDITIONALLY, AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN TH…

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I WAS TRYING TO SHUT DOWN MY CAR AND EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS IN PARK, I COULDN'T GET MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. WHEN I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO, AFTER A FEW TIMES, THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYED ON. IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS UNTIL I COULD FINALLY SHUT OFF MY CAR WITH THE CAR BATTERY NOT BEING DRAINED. ADDITIONALLY, AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN THIS STARTED, BOTH OF THE BACK DOORS NO LONGER WILL OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND THE SUV BACK WON'T OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE AC BLOWERS WILL BLOW COLD INTERMITTENTLY. THERE IS PLENTY OF COOLANT. NO DEALER WILL LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THERE ARE NO SAAB DEALERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10648672

54,000 miles · Aug 19, 2014
Steering

POWER STEERING LINES UNDER THE CLAMP THAT BOLTS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO MOISTURE AND VIBRATION CAUSING A LOSS IN FLUID DAMAGING THE PUMP. AFTER DOING A SEARCH I FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE TRAILBLAZER, ENVOY AND SAAB. POOR DESIGN AND LACK OF QUALITY CAUSED THE FAILURE.…

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POWER STEERING LINES UNDER THE CLAMP THAT BOLTS TO THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER HAVE RUSTED THROUGH DUE TO MOISTURE AND VIBRATION CAUSING A LOSS IN FLUID DAMAGING THE PUMP. AFTER DOING A SEARCH I FOUND NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ON THE TRAILBLAZER, ENVOY AND SAAB. POOR DESIGN AND LACK OF QUALITY CAUSED THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10626495

70,000 miles · Jun 30, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

WAS DRIVING DOWN SIDE STREET, REACHED FOR SOMETHING IN PASSENGER SEAT, DREW MY HAND BACK MAKING VERY GENTLE CONTACT WITH IGNITION KEY IN CENTER CONSOLE AND CAR SHUT OFF. I HARDLY TOUCHED THE KEY. THIS SECOND TIME IN EARLY JUNE, THOUGH I HIT IT WITH MY CUP (ICE TEA FROM MCDONALDS). THEN THIS WEEKEND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. I…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN SIDE STREET, REACHED FOR SOMETHING IN PASSENGER SEAT, DREW MY HAND BACK MAKING VERY GENTLE CONTACT WITH IGNITION KEY IN CENTER CONSOLE AND CAR SHUT OFF. I HARDLY TOUCHED THE KEY. THIS SECOND TIME IN EARLY JUNE, THOUGH I HIT IT WITH MY CUP (ICE TEA FROM MCDONALDS). THEN THIS WEEKEND IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT IS VERY EASY TO BUMP IT WITH YOUR ARM AND HAVE IT SHUT OFF. I CALLED GMC AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT, EVEN THOUGH TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE THE SAME ISSUE AS WITH THEIR OTHER CARS THAT ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON. I THINK IT SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND SUSPECT THAT THE IGNITION IS THE SAME THAT IS IN THE GMC ENVOY, TRAILBLAZER, ETC. ALSO, THE 2007 WAS RECALLED, AND I THINK THE 2008 SHOULD BE AS WELL. MY CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE TO INSPECT IT ANYTIME IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW EASY IT IS FOR IT TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607071

72,000 miles · Jan 10, 2014
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-7X. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE DRIVERS WINDOW WAS OPEN, HE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW BUT IT BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE DOOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-7X. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE DRIVERS WINDOW WAS OPEN, HE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW BUT IT BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE DOOR SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10559397

Official recalls

1

15V519000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Aug 14, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Headlamps that do not illuminate reduce the driver's ability to see the roadway and reduce the vehicle's visibility to oncoming vehicles, both of which increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the HDM, free of charge. The recall began on May 17, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. GM's number for this recall is 14291.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.