Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn't have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It's a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can't even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.
The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. While driving at any speed the air bag indicator illuminated without warning. The contact received a recall notice for the air bag and took the vehicle to a dealer where the air bag was replaced. The NHTSA campaign number was not provided. The failure recurred, but the dealer stated that the air bag indicator was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000. ..updated 06/06/17 updated 06/07/17 updated 08/09/2017 th consumer requested an update. Updated 09/1/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Saab Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags) was received in March. After contacting the dealer and the manufacturer on multiple occasions, the contact was informed that the parts needed for the recall remedy were still not available and no estimated time for receiving the parts could be provided. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall: I recently purchased this car; I noted that this vehicle is part of the driver ab recall but can find no information on when the ab will be available for replacement. Can your provide any more information about timing and availability? I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive after viewing how the inflator can respond. By the way, this vehicle spent time in fl and va area's so would be suspect. Please advise.
I was informed by GM/Saab phone representative [phone]) stephanie long that because it is GM's position that the car is safe (and by implication the recall is a mistake), GM will not provide a rental car until parts are available. GM is obviously playing the odds by deciding that one or two future death claims will be less expensive than providing replacement vehicles.
Takata recall. Received notice in March 2016 that parts were not available to fix, and to date have still received no notification of how to get this corrected. Also, received notice of safety belt recall but again no notification of where and when parts would be available.
Takata recall 7 months and counting no response, no repair. How much longer and will I have to wait again for the passenger side repair? Will I have to drive my Saab to florida like I had to do with my Ford to get it fixed?
Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks
Takata recall I received a notice referencing my 2008 Saab 9-3, indicating parts were available and I would be able to set an appointment for the Takata airbag to be replaced. I called murdock Chevrolet Buick GMC, the agency listed on the notice, and they set up an appointment for me this morning. When I arrived, they said they did not have parts and showed me in their system that based on my VIN no parts were currently available. The fact they set the appointment is their mistake, but it seemed reasonably clear that this Cadillac dealership did not have access to the parts needed. So the statement that 'airbag inflator parts are ready '' was incorrect. Please clarify how I can reasonably get my Saab fixed. I live in northern utah so dealerships that can provide this service are limited. The noticed carried a copyright marking from general motors, and the logos of the NHTSA and the usdot
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Saab 9-3, 39% of the model year's 184 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Saab 9-3 airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-063 (inflator module, Feb 3, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Saab 9-3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
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.