Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Saab 9-7X owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-7x. While driving, the fuel gauge failed to display the proper fuel level and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel level sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
I have a 2006 Saab 9-7x with 92,000+ miles. The fuel gauge had failed at about 65,000 miles and I have yet to fix it because the dealership said that it would cost anywhere from $850 to $1,000 depending on how long it takes to be done. I think this is ridiculous that this is not a recall because I no many many people with the same issue. It is not fair for a defect in quality of a near $45,000 vehicle to be laid on a costumer. Signs of this problem were that the gauge would intermittently read false then regulate to normal. I was told it was not anything to be concerned about by my GM dealer and Saab. …
2006 - Saab 97x - in September, 2010 fuel gauge indicated low level fuel and computer showed 60 miles to empty. On the way to the gas station car just shut down. Called for service and had fuel put in the car. Still did not start. Finally, was pushed off the road by local police. Car would not start again and had to be towed to Saab dealer. Saab dealer claims I ran out of gas. Now have issues with fuel gauge when filling up. After refueling, needle on gauge goes to empty and 'check engine light' and 'low level fuel light' comes on. After driving for a while, fuel needle will go back and forth from empty to full. It will eventually settle down and 'low level fuel light' and 'check engine light' turn off. Not sure if fuel level is accurate. I have to keep resetting trip odometer to estimate where my fuel level is. I've called the Saab dealer asking about any recalls on this. …
Heard a noise from the rear of my 2006 Saab 9-7x SUV at one point. Shortly thereafter, the fuel gauge began acting erratically causing engine light to sporadically come on and go off. Due to inaccurate readings, I have run out of fuel twice even though the information center still shows I have adequate levels of fuel in the vehicle. Appears to also be impacting the consistency of acceleration and maintaining speed associated with the throttle body. Gas mileage has dropped as well. Supposedly the repair cost is more than $350. Based on a search of similar vehicles (chassis and vintage) on the internet and newspaper reports, this appears to be a somewhat common problem, possibly connected to the use of fuel containing ethanol. Similar vehicles include the GMC envoy, Chevy trailblazer and Buick rainier. I can send you related information from the internet if necessary.
I stopped to get gas today and filled my tank all the way up. Upon re-starting the vehicle that fuel gauge said it was completely empty. I drove a few miles and the check engine light came on. After 40 miles or so, the fuel gauge went back to full but the check engine light stayed on. Then for the next 10-15 miles the fuel gauge jumped back and forth from empty to full. The check engine light never went off. I am worried it is going to shut down on my on the highway like some other people have said! This scares me... And it only just turned over 60K miles today! GM please step in and fix this problem before people start dying... Seriously! This is dangerous and I am nervous to drive my Saab now.
After fueling up my tank my gas light stayed on along with my engine light. I took it to a local auto parts store to get it scanned and it ended up being my fuel sensor. The needle floats between full and empty as I drive down the road. I have a family of 8 and 5 of us able to drive. I would like my vehicle to work properly so one of my family members do not become stranded because of this well know faulty fuel sensor. (which seems to be a manufacturing flaw) I work with others that had the same issue but with related vehicles all with the gmt360 platform and had their sensors replaced which general motors covered but I am wondering why the '06 Saab 97x does not have a recall.
I was driving down the road then I noticed my fuel gauge went up to full then went down to empty and stayed there. I decided to stop and get gas and filled up my tank, once I started the car again the fuel gauge still read empty. As I was driving home the gauge slowly started to move to full but later went back to empty once I arrived home. The past 2 weeks after the first incident the gauge has been staying on empty even with a full tank. Im afraid of running out of fuel while driving out in the country or on the highway and getting into an accident. I have a family and fear for our safety when we are out driving and not sure how much fuel is in our vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-7x. After refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fuel warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The fuel gauge would fluctuate, causing inaccurate readings of fuel levels. The contact was unable to determine how much fuel was in the vehicle and as a result, the vehicle stalled and had to be towed. The vehicle was not repaired. There was an investigation under NHTSA action number: pe11014 (fuel system, other fuel system, other:storage:fuel gauge system) that May be related to the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.
I have a 2006 Saab 97-x. Over the past two years I have had problems with my fuel gauge. I have run out of gas several times and now have to monitor my fuel through my consumption reading to know how much I have. I have almost stalled several times on the freeway. I am now seeing that I am not the only person with this problem and I am lucky I am observant enough as a driver to not have been injured in a crash. The local Saab dealer wanted over $600 to drop my fuel tank and "investigate" the problem. This is ridiculous and GM should be responsible and accountable for this problem!!!
2006 Saab 9-7x: when fuel tank is filled with gas, the fuel gauge in the instrument panel reads empty and the check engine light illuminates. Will be uncertain as to how much fuel is in the tank. After approximately 100 miles, the gauge will swing between full and empty and May begin to function normally. However, there is no clear indication of the amount of fuel in the tank. The local Saab dealership indicated the cause is a faulty fuel level sensor and is common with this year/model vehicle. Only recourse is to utilize the odometer and refill every 250 miles traveled.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel level gauge system failure
The office of defects investigations (ODI) analyzed complaint data provided by General Motors (GM) as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers.In total, there were 5,089 unique reports indicating an inaccurate fuel level reading while driving.General Motors stated that this condition occurs when the contacts of the fuel sensor wear prematurely.Most of the complaints indicated an empty fuel gauge reading…
Fuel Level Gauge System Failure
The Office of Defects Investigation has received 668 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading while driving in model year 2005-07 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, and Saab 9-7x vehicles.Of the 668 complaints, 58 incidents were alleged to result in a vehicle stall.Of the 58 stalling incidents, 43 complaints reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated more fuel availability than…
Fuel System complaints in other 9-7X years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Saab 9-7X?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Saab 9-7X, 53% of the model year's 59 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Saab 9-7X fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2006 Saab 9-7X, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Saab 9-7X fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.