Saab92006Overview/saab/9/2006/base/
7X platform

2006 Saab 9

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 9.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2006 Saab 9 is a passenger car built on the 7X platform, with routine-service records specifying a 6.0-quart oil capacity using 5W-30 API viscosity, an automatic four-speed transmission, and EPA ratings of 18 city/23 highway/20 combined mpg. Those numbers give researchers a solid baseline for operating costs and maintenance intervals. In reliability terms, the model year generated just ten owner complaints, with air bags standing out as the top concern and seven recalls on record—an overall low-complaint profile that still makes air-bag recall completion and service history worth verifying when judging this vehicle’s long-term dependability.

Model year201020092008200720062005

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 19210285. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP255-55R18OEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter19210285
Engine air filter15036141
Spark plug12571164 alt 12598004
Front wiper blades15214346
Serpentine belt12576446 alt 12575216
Thermostat12600171 alt 12561155

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase99.6 in
Curb weight3071 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 19.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity5
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.6 Pints
Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.3 Pints

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug19.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7.4 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-981
Spark Plug Gap0.040 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug TypeAC 41-985

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.87 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum50.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum57.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-57

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket23 ft-lbs / 31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle148 ft-lbs / 118 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.14 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Finish1.08 μin / 0.728 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7515 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11018 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8515 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Bolts 1-14:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2155 degrees.; Bolts 15:155 degrees
15.2 ft. lbs.5.2 ft. lbs
2120 degrees.; Bolts 16-17:120 degrees
15.2 ft. lbs.5.2 ft. lbs
260 degrees.60 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5018 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 37 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7415 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90 degrees, Step 3: 9018 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 25,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel System (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2006 Saab 9 dominate in one area — the air bags, 7 of 10 reports (70%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 20V-003 and 20V-001 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
128
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
10
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 10 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Air Bags7
Exterior Lighting2
Air Bags,Structure,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V003000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020…

20V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 128 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIP5601C2025-07-18Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
PIT5074R2025-05-30Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…
02-00-89-002X2024-09-09Unknown Or OtherThis service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 9. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 9 take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 9 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 9 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.