Saab models we see most
| Model | US model years | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| 9-3 | 1999-2011 | Saab's volume car through the end; production stopped when Saab Automobile filed for bankruptcy in December 2011. |
| 9-5 | 1999-2011 | 1999-2003 9-5s with B2x5 four-cylinder engines were prone to oil sludge; Saab later extended engine coverage to 8 years for original owners. |
| 9-7X | 2005-2009 | GM-built SUV recalled (13V248000) for 2005-2007 because fluid can short the driver's door module; owners were told to park outside. |
| 9-2X | 2005-2006 | Built by Subaru alongside the Impreza and recalled with it (11V464000) for front control arm brackets that rust in salt states. |
Known Saab problems that end up at the scrapyard
Oil sludge in 1999-2003 9-5 engines
The 9-5's B2x5 engines could suffer oil pickup problems from sludge in the lubrication circuit, mainly on 1999-2003 cars. Saab revised the crankcase ventilation for 2004, offered retrofit kits, and in 2005 extended the engine warranty to eight years and unlimited miles for original owners with oil-change records. That coverage expired long ago; a sludged engine today usually ends the car. source
Door module short circuits on 2005-2007 9-7X
Recall 13V248000 covered the 9-7X along with its GM siblings, the Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier and Isuzu Ascender. Fluid can enter the driver's door module and corrode the circuit board. Locks and windows may act up, and the module can overheat, melt and catch fire even when parked. Owners were advised to park outside until repaired. source
Rusting control arm brackets on the 2005-2006 9-2X
Subaru's recall 11V464000 covered 2002-2007 Imprezas, 2003-2008 Foresters and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2Xs sold or registered in salt states, Illinois among them. Road salt can corrode the front lower control arm hanger brackets until an arm breaks. Saab handled its own cars in that recall; with Saab gone, check the VIN at NHTSA for status. source
The end of Saab, and what it means for sellers
Saab Automobile filed for bankruptcy on 19 December 2011, after GM had sold the brand to Spyker the year before and a rescue through Chinese partners fell apart. Saab Automobile Parts AB was excluded from that deal, which is why parts for 9-3s and 9-5s still exist. Dealers are another matter. With no Saab showrooms left, owners rely on independent specialists, and finding a shop that really knows Saab’s turbocharged engines takes some calling around.
That shapes the junk decision. A clean 9-3 Aero with a strong engine is an enthusiast car and might be worth selling privately. A 9-5 with a sludged engine, a 9-3 convertible with a dead top and rusty rockers, or a 9-7X with a transmission or electrical problem is usually a junk car, because the repair bill passes the car’s value fast.
Two Saabs that aren’t really Saabs underneath
The 9-7X and 9-2X were badge-engineered. The 9-7X shares its body and recalls with GM’s Chevrolet Trailblazer family, including the 2005-2007 door module recall that told owners to park outside. The 9-2X shares its structure with the Subaru Impreza and was part of Subaru’s salt-state control arm recall that names Illinois. That’s handy if you’re repairing one, since many mechanical parts come from the GM or Subaru side. It’s also why rust on a 9-2X looks just like rust on an old Impreza. Our guide to road salt damage shows where to look.
What we’ll ask you for
Tell us the model, the engine, whether it runs, and what papers you have. Illinois rules decide which papers work for a scrap sale, and we confirm on the call. Leave every key (on many 9-3s and 9-5s the ignition sits in the center console between the front seats, not on the steering column). For other makes, see the cars we buy.
Selling a junk Saab: questions
Can I still get parts for an old Saab, or is junking the only option?
Saab Automobile Parts AB was kept out of the 2011 bankruptcy deal, so Saab parts didn't vanish. Many 9-3s and 9-5s are still worth fixing for enthusiasts. Junking makes sense when the repair list is long, the engine is sludged or the body is rusted through.
My Saab has an OnStar button. Do I need to cancel anything?
If you ever had an OnStar plan on your Saab, contact OnStar to close it and remove the car from your account. Then clear the HomeLink buttons and any paired phones, and take your I-PASS off the glass.