DecodedCars2005 Saab 9-7
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- X 4dr SUV AWD /Linear/Arc
- 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 / 19 hwy
- Length
- 193.7 in
- Curb weight
- 4,612 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Few owner complaints10 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 63 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 27 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 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 194 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,612 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 19 highway), 4% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the exterior lighting.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X 4dr SUV AWD /Linear/Arc | 193.7 in | 75.6 in | 70.5 in | 113 in | 62.6 / 62.2 in | 4,612 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 / 19 / 16 | -4% | $4,200 | 555 |
| 9-7X AWD | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | -10% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Saab 9-7 under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Saab 9-7 (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Toyota Highlander | 22 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 GMC Yukon | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
Recalls (2)
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.
Not every 2005 Saab 9-7 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Saab 9-7 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Exterior Lighting — 6 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 115,000 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 2005 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 →