Saab 9-3 recalls and problems

14 recalls and 1,281 owner complaints for 12 model years. Pick your year for full details.

Recalls

Complaints

1,281

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Choose a model year

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Saab 9-3 by year

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Deaths
2011 9-3	3	30	1	0	0	0
2010 9-3	3	30	0	0	0	0
2009 9-3	2	43	1	0	0	0
2008 9-3	2	184	5	1	6	1
2007 9-3	2	155	2	5	4	0
2006 9-3	2	179	11	3	4	0
2005 9-3	2	95	4	2	9	0
2004 9-3	5	207	10	2	8	0
2003 9-3	4	212	12	6	17	0
2002 9-3	4	37	0	1	1	0
2001 9-3	4	59	1	1	3	1
2000 9-3	2	50	4	1	9	0

Most reported Saab 9-3 problems

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	352
Electrical System	184
Suspension	180
Seat Belts	159
Engine	99
Engine and Engine Cooling	97
Power Train	65
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	63
Fuel System, Gasoline	47
Fuel/Propulsion System	41

All Saab 9-3 recalls

Recall	Date	Years	Component	Summary
16V-063	Feb 3, 2016	2006–2011	Air Bags	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…
14V-318	Jun 12, 2014	2004–2011	Seat Belts	General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011.
11V-015	Jan 19, 2011	2010–2011	Fuel System, Other	Saab is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 passenger vehicles manufactured from june 2010 through december 2010.
10V-043	Feb 18, 2010	2004	Seat Belts	General motors is recalling certain model year 2004 saab 9-3 sedans.
07V-087	Mar 7, 2007	2002–2003	Fuel System, Gasoline	On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
06V-126	Apr 20, 2006	2001	Fuel System, Gasoline	On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
05V-399	Sep 14, 2005	2000–2002	Electrical System	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…
05V-236	May 19, 2005	2003–2005	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	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.
04V-557	Nov 19, 2004	2001–2002	Fuel System, Gasoline	On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
04V-540	Oct 20, 2004	2003	Engine and Engine Cooling	On certain passenger vehicles, the engine management system software may cause engine hesitation or stalling.
04V-226	May 11, 2004	2003–2004	Seat Belts	Some sport sedans were built with seat belt retractors that were damaged during the manufacturing process.
03V-514	Dec 10, 2003	2004	Seats	Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
01V-314	Oct 3, 2001	2002	Steering	Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.
01V-168	May 18, 2001	2000–2001	Air Bags	Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no.

Frequently asked questions

What is the worst year for the Saab 9-3?

By owner complaints to NHTSA, the 2003 Saab 9-3 has the most reports (212). Check the 2003 page for the problems owners describe.

How many recalls does the Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls covering Saab 9-3 model years 2000–2011.

What are the most common Saab 9-3 problems?

Owners report air bags, electrical system, suspension problems most often.