General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April...
1994-2011 · 14 model years
Saab 9-3 Problems by year
Owners have filed 1,348 complaints about the Saab 9-3 across 14 model years, and it has 18 recalls. The 2003 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (214), while 1994, 2010, 2011 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the airbags, followed by the engine & cooling.
- Complaints
- 1,348
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes
- 56
- Fires
- 22
- Injuries
- 71
- Deaths
- 2
9-3 complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common 9-3 problems
Saab 9-3 recalls 18
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing...
Ti automotive is recalling certain fuel pumps, part numbers tu456 and tu303, sold under various brand names as aftermarket and replacement equipment for the motor vehicles listed above. The defective fuel pump may seize, stopping the fuel flow to the engine...
Saab is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 passenger vehicles manufactured from june 2010 through december 2010. Certain fuel pumps installed as original equipment may have internal components with incorrect specifications.
General motors is recalling certain model year 2004 saab 9-3 sedans. Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract.
Covers2004 Saab 9-3
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Covers2001 Saab 9-3
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to...
Certain sport sedan and convertible passenger vehicles were produced with a vacuum pipe check valve for the brake booster that may fail from exposure to elevated temperatures. This could result in sudden loss of power brake assist, usually with little or no...
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine management system software may cause engine hesitation or stalling.
Covers2003 Saab 9-3
Some sport sedans were built with seat belt retractors that were damaged during the manufacturing process. If damaged, over time, the automatic tensioning system (ats) cable in the seat belt retractor could break causing the belt webbing to not retract.
Latest 9-3 complaints
I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn't have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It's a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can't even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.
Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks
The contact owns a 2006 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact also noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then BLAM! Temperature was moderate, where as the car is often parked on a city street in direct sun. Air bag deployment was a loud bang followed by smoke from an explosive, and a sting on my neck and shoulder where the bag hit me. Bits of foam from the seat interior,...
Read the full complaint
where the air bag was located, blew around the car interior. I suffered temporary hearing loss in my left ear due to the loud bang. I was also quite startled. No other people were at risk. No other air bags have deployed since I've owned the car, approx. 20 yrs., purchased used. I will consult an authorized repair shop, insurance agent, and a dealer service center for more info. A Saab dealer service center told me a new replacement air bag would be available from Sweden at a cost of $700. That would be in addition to the cost of repairing the seat, door frame panel, and other items. There were no prior dash board or related fault code messages. The car has never been in an accident or impacted in any way to the best of my knowledge (I saw a Carfax report at purchase).
Questions about the Saab 9-3
Which Saab 9-3 years have the most problems?
Which Saab 9-3 years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Saab 9-3 problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the airbags (367), engine & cooling (221), seats & seat belts (188) most often.
How many recalls does the Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 18 recalls across all Saab 9-3 model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data