2006 Saab 9-7
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- X 4dr SUV AWD /V8
- Engines
- 4.2L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 14 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 192.9 in
- Curb weight
- 4,720 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints18 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 54 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Saab 9-7 is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (4.2L 6-cyl and 5.3L 8-cyl) and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,720 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 6% worse than the 2006 SUV - average of 17 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 9-7 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 9-7 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X 4dr SUV AWD /V8 | 192.9 in | 75.6 in | 70.5 in | 113 in | 62.6 / 62.2 in | 4,720 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-7X AWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
| 9-7X AWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Saab 9-7 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Saab 9-7 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2006 Ford Explorer | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Toyota Highlander | 27 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 GMC Yukon | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Aug 14, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V519000 · 429,170 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Jul 2, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V404000 · 184,611 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door master power window switch module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
- Risk
- A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the part number on the door module, and install a new door module if necessary, free of charge. Parts for the remedy are not currently available. An interim letter was mailed to owners in August 2014. A second owner letter will be mailed when parts are available. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), 1-800-462-8782 (GMC), 1-800-955-9007 (SAAB), and 1-800-255-6727 (Isuzu). GM's number for this recall is 14309. NOTE: This recall provides a new remedy for all vehicles covered by recall 13V-248. Vehicles whose modules were modified but not replaced as part of the previous recall remedy must have their vehicles remedied again under this campaign.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Jun 13, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V248000 · 193,652 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 SAAB 9-7x; 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL; and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender vehicles. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
- Risk
- A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
- Fix
- Owners will be contacted and dealers will test the driver's door module. If the module is functioning properly, a protective coating will be applied. If the module is not functioning properly, it will be replaced. These repairs will be done free of charge. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners, Isuzu and Saab will contact their respective owners. The recall began on August 2, 2013. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463, Isuzu owners at 1-800-255-6727, and Saab owners at 1-800-955-9007. GM's campaign number is 12180. This recall is an expansion of recall 12V-406.
Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls · Aug 16, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V406000 · 278,174 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT and GMC Envoy XL and 2006-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, SAAB 9-7x, and Isuzu Ascender vehicles, originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Fluid may enter the driver's door module, causing corrosion that could result in a short in the circuit board. A short may cause the power door lock and power window switches to function intermittently or become inoperative. The short may also cause overheating, which could melt components of the door module, producing odor, smoke, or a fire.
- Risk
- A short in the circuit board could lead to a fire, increasing the risk of personal injury. A fire could occur even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
- Fix
- Parts for this recall are expected to available in March 2013. GM will notify Buick, Chevrolet, and GMC owners when parts are available. Buick owners may contact the owner center at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet owners at 1-866-694-6546, and GMC owners at 1-866-996-9463. Isuzu owners will be notified by Isuzu Motors when parts are available. Owners may contact Isuzu customer service at 1-800-255-6727. SAAB owners will be notified by SAAB Cars North America when parts are available and for inquiries, owners may call SAAB customer service at 1-800-955-9007.
Not every 2006 Saab 9-7 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Saab 9-7 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Exterior Lighting — 9 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 3 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Saab 9-7. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 9-7 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Saab. How we calculate this →