Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While parked, I put my key in the ignition and started the car. My passenger side side impact airbag deployed/exploded upon engine starting. I suffered a concussion, tinnitus, and inner ear damage from the airbag exploding. Took car to a GM dealership with a Saab technician to have car diagnosed to explain why the airbag deployed/exploded. No diagnosis made. But they did read error code saying airbag sensor communication failure after airbag deployed/exploded. No warning lights were lit prior to incident. There were no service codes prior to incident either. (I had car checked 1 week prior to incident)
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver side air bag erroneously deployed without warning or impact. The contact indicated that the vehicle had not crashed or driven over a road bump when the deployment occurred. The driver sustained an injured right arm, shoulder, and torso, which did not require medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 154,000.
Car was sitting idling at kerbside while dropping my kids off at school. The passenger side door was open. I was talking to my child who was just outside the door. Passenger seat side airbag deployed by itself with no impacts previous impacts or any movement other than one minute previous the seat was tilted forward and then back to let kids out of backseat. This was seconds and inches away from resulting in a death.
Today, shortly after starting the car, an airbag deployed. The car was parked in my driveway and not in motion, and there was no impact. The airbag deployed from the outboard side of the passenger seat. I was seated in the driver's seat. The passenger seat was unoccupied and its seat belt was unfastened, however a laptop and some other lightweight objects were in the passenger seat.
The driver of the 1999 Saab 9-3 was driving in the left lane on ma rte. 128 south. Her son was in a child carseat tightly belted into the driver's side passenger seat, the seat directly behind the driver. The switch on the belt buckle was set to the "child seat" setting. The driver signaled and began to change lanes to the middle lane which was clear of traffic. As she was shifting lanes, another vehicle, a light-colored sedan, began to move sharply into the middle lane from the right. The driver was forced to swerve to the left to avoid collision with the other vehicle, and her car went out of control. The car went off the road to the left and hit the guardrail in a front-end collision. The driver was thrown forward but was wearing her seatbelt, which held her. Her airbag did not inflate. …
On the morning of December 6, 2006, my 1999 Saab 9-3 was parked in the driveway of my house when I started the car to warm it up to take my five year old to school. My 5 year old sat in the front passenger seat as the car was warming up. Without notice or provocation the front passenger side airbag deployed in my 5 year olds face. This violent explosion caused a scratch and redness on my daughters face. Upon speaking with Saab I was informed that they have never heard of this happening, and upon their instruction - I took the car the local Saab dealer, who upon examining the car said that the reason for this happening is inconclusive. They also stated that they have never seen this happen before. Saab is giving us the runaround, and we need someone to hold them accountable for this incident. I am hoping that filing this complaint will help.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH in the snow, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact or crash occurring. There were no injuries. Later that day, the air bag indicator illuminated. Her mechanic stated that the air bags would not function properly and ensure maximum protection in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic for diagnostic testing and the wiring was determined to be the cause of the failure. The manufacturer would not assist because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current mileage was approximately 141,000 and failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. While backing out of the driveway at 5 MPH, the driver side seat air bag deployed without warning. The contact also stated that the driver side seat belt fractured as a result of the air bag deployment. The contact sustained burns on the left arm, but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
The air bag alarm is "on" in the car, for no apparent reason. This is the third time it will be in the shop for repair of this defect within the last 15 months! Apparently, there is a problem with the driver's seat?? Since there is no way to determine if the airbags will work while the light is "on", and since this is a recurring problem with a safety feature, it could be a serious problem. After all, the car is still drivable while the light is on.
On two occassions, it was necessary to bring the Saab to a quick stop on the freeway. On 3/25/00, I needed to make an emergency stop, going 65 MPH and the car seemed to almost slide, not gripping the road. I have been driving for 25 years, and had to make emergency stops in the past, and have never had this experience. I believe the Saab 9-3's should be checked for ability to stop in an emergency. Also, my airbags did not deploy in the accident.
Airbag complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Saab 9-3, 26% of the model year's 80 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Saab 9-3 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 Saab 9-3, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1999 Saab 9-3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 122,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 11 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.