Saab 9-3 Problems by Year

We compared every Saab 9-3 model year from 1999–2011 using 1,406 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 17 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2003, 2008, 2004 and 2007, which drew far more complaints than other 9-3 years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2010 and 2002.

13model years
1,406complaints
17recalls
2003, 2008worst years
2011, 2010best years

Complaints by model year

19992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020118062834621220795179155184433030
Owner complaints per model year, Saab 9-3. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201130−56%3AirbagGood
201030−54%3AirbagGood
200943−35%2AirbagAverage
20081842.4×2AirbagAvoid
20071551.4×2AirbagCaution
20061791.3×2AirbagAverage
200595typical2SuspensionAverage
20042072.2×5Seat BeltAvoid
20032122.8×4ElectricalAvoid
200246−45%4ElectricalGood
200183typical4ElectricalAverage
200062−35%3ElectricalAverage
199980typical3ElectricalAverage

* Complaints compared with the median 9-3 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Saab 9-3 problems

Latest Saab 9-3 recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 16V-063 · Feb 3, 2016 · 113,716 vehicles

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 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge.

Seat belts › Front › Retractor

NHTSA recall 14V-318 · Jun 12, 2014 · 28,789 vehicles

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 not to retract.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007.

Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 11V-015 · Jan 19, 2011 · 4,400 vehicles

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.

Remedy: Saab will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The safety recall began on March 3, 2011. Owners May contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

Seat belts › Front › Retractor

NHTSA recall 10V-043 · Feb 18, 2010 · 14,126 vehicles

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT WILL BE…

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 07V-087 · Mar 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles

On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

Remedy: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on June 13, 2007.

All 17 Saab 9-3 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Saab 9-3 should you avoid?

2003, 2008, 2004 and 2007 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 9-3 years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2003.

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

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other 9-3 years at the same age, followed by 2010 and 2002. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Saab 9-3 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (377), engine & cooling (225) and electrical system (204). Airbag complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Saab 9-3 had?

17 recalls across 1999–2011. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Saab 9-3 recalls by year.

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.