Makes›Saab›9-7›2006

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

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
X 4dr SUV AWD /V8192.9 in75.6 in70.5 in113 in62.6 / 62.2 in4,720 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
9-7X AWD4.2L 6-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-6%$4,200555
9-7X AWD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 4-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 19 / 16-6%$4,200555
Spend $9,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
17 MPG2006 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

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

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2006 Saab 9-7 (this car)16 MPGNot rated4
2006 Toyota Land Cruiser13 MPGNot rated2
2006 Toyota 4Runner18 MPGNot rated5
2006 Ford Explorer16 MPGNot rated0
2006 Toyota Highlander27 MPGNot rated9
2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee17 MPGNot rated2
2006 GMC Yukon16 MPGNot rated0

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2006 Saab 9-7 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

18Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
105,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Exterior Lighting9
Electrical System8
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Air Bags2
Visibility2
Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control1
Wheels1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/01: 215/02: 215/03: 115/12: 216/01: 116/05: 316/08: 117/06: 118/09: 118/11: 119/03: 119/04: 120/07: 115/0115/0316/0116/0818/0919/0320/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2006 Saab 9-7 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Exterior Lighting — 9 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  3. Electrical System — 8 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Electronic Stability Control (Esc) — 3 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 105,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2009 9-716192.9 inNot rated014
2008 9-716192.9 inNot rated114
2007 9-716192.9 inNot rated421
2005 9-716193.7 inNot rated210

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Saab. How we calculate this →