Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (buckles, retractors, anchors and pretensioners).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V318000 (Seat Belts). The vehicle was not repaired. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Seat belt repair problem re 2005 Saab 9.3 VIN [redacted] purchased dec '04, involved in accident aug '05. No repair parts stocked in USA, therefore ordered from sweden. After seven weeks on order, most repair parts received and repairs finally have been started more than eight weeks since accident. However seat belt repair kit is still on back order. Am advised that Saab's original supplier of seat belt units has been discontinued and a new supplier has not been contracted. Seems to me that auto manufacturers should be required to stock safety items and should not be allowed to let supply of safety items lapse without replacement sources, particularly on late model cars (mine is of the current 2005 model year). Local dealer trying utmost, but Saab USA and Saab sweden appear not too responsive. Updated 07/18/2012
The retractor for the driver side seat belt in my 2005 Saab 9-3 aero convertible broke. This defect is already subject of a recall by GM. I am the original owner, but did not receive notice of this recall. I have contacted GM, the local dealer, and parts distributor several times, and was told that the item is on indefinite back order and is unlikely to be available any time in the future. I believe this significantly compromises the safety of the car and is an attempt by GM to avoid the recall and repairing this safety defect. What can be done to make sure GM complies with the recall requirements?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V318000 (seat belts) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer stated that the parts were not available for repair. The manufacturer stated that they still did not have the parts to satisfy the recall. Intermittently, the contact had an issue with retracting the driver side seat belt after use. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that there was a failure with the front driver side seat belt retracting. As the failure progressed, the seat belt became extremely tight upon release. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V226000 (seat belts). The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 7/9/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. While driving 30 MPH, the front passenger side seat belt failed to retract without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V318000 (seat belts). The failure mileage was 128,000.
NHTSA 14V318000 was a recall for seat belts that fails to retract. When I get into my car and pull it out to fasten it often remains slack. That event caused me to do research and find the recall. But it did not extend to my car which has the exact same problem. It appears to me that the recall was too narrow.
Much like NHTSA campaign id number: 14V318000 (GM recall number 14222), the driver's seat belt does not retract. This occurs every time the belt is pulled out. In the event of a crash, the belt would not be close enough to the driver to retract, since it is too loose.
I got in my car to go to work and as I pulled the belt over my shoulder the retracting mechanism snapped. The belt was completely slack with no protective capacity. I called the dealership where I purchased the car new in 2005. I was told it was a recall item. I ordered the belt, it was backordered ("coming in from sweden"). I made the appointment for replacing it, took it in and confirmed that it was a recall. They said it was actually a "campaign" to replace faulty belt mechanisms. Ten minutes later they changed their minds, stating that they just found out (?) it didn't cover the convertible...only the sedans. I paid $431.80 for the belt and $337.50 for the labor to install it. I felt that, as I or my wife could have been injured or worse had it failed in a collision, the responsibility should lie with the manufacturer. …
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V318000 (seat belts) and 16V063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. West county Volvo (14410 manchester rd, manchester, mo) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not provided.
Related recalls
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.
Seat Belt complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat belt problems on the 2005 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seat belts of the 2005 Saab 9-3, 23% of the model year's 95 complaints. The component named most often is front (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Saab 9-3 seat belt problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-318 (retractor, Jun 12, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Saab 9-3 seat belt problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to seat belts 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.