The problem
Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." the backrest locking mechanism on some front seats May have been installed incorrectly.
The risk
This could cause the seat back to fold forward in a frontal crash, resulting in injury to the driver and/or front seat passenger.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the vehicle's front seats to determine if they are equipped with the improperly installed component. If either or both of the seats have this component, they will be replaced. The dealer May need to order a complete new seat or seats (including matching upholstery) and the parts May take up to two to four weeks to arrive. Saab will provide a rental car for the owner until the new seat(s) is (are) available and installed by the dealer. Owner notification is expected to begin during February 2004. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 03V-514 (03V514000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 15014 |
| Manufacturer | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| Component | Seats › Front assembly › Recliner |
| Report date | December 10, 2003 |
| Owners notified | December 29, 2003 |
| Vehicles affected | 1,658 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the seats
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 03V-514 repair free?
Yes. Saab dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's front seats to determine if they are equipped with the improperly installed component. If either or both of the seats have this component, they will be replaced.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 1,658 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.