Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag sensor warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Takata recall. Saab vehicle has been recalled for potentially dangerous airbag, but manufacturer is out of business and previous parent company (GM) has not indicated any timeframe for fixing the defective airbag. This car is now going on 5 years with this defective airbag in place. What can be done?
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Dorshal automotive was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and initially informed the contact that the part was being sent; however, the contact still was not able to get the recall remedied due to the lack of part availability. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. Updated 08/29/17
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone]. The contact asked the manufacturer to have the dealer nearby repair the air bags. The manufacturer referred the contact to dealer that was 60 miles away from the contact's residence. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect. Updated 02/21/17 updated 03/01/17.
Hi all, we receive a notice several months ago regarding a recall to the airbags in our car. At the time they said there was currently no rememdy. I just checked safecar.gov to check if there were any updates and it says "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available " we are worried about using this car as recently an eleventh person was killed by these airbags. Is there some way to expedite the replacement of the airbags? Thanks you so much for any help you might be able to offer. Scott
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000(air bags) was received in February of 2016. 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.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
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 2011 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Saab 9-3, 83% of the model year's 30 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 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 2011 Saab 9-3 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 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.