Airbag complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 25 | 83% | 103,000 miles |
| 2010 | 22 | 73% | 52,000 miles |
| 2009 | 17 | 40% | 140,000 miles |
| 2008 | 71 | 39% | 60,000 miles |
| 2007 | 65 | 42% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 87 | 49% | 93,000 miles |
| 2005 | 12 | 13% | 31,000 miles |
| 2004 | 20 | 10% | 79,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 4 | 9% | 9,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 6% | 108,000 miles |
| 2000 | 13 | 21% | 139,000 miles |
| 1999 | 21 | 26% | 122,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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?
Takata recall. Given that these devices are potentially dangerous, possibly inflicting great harm or death, why are instructions not being given to disable the bags until corrective action has been implemented? The GM dealer I first approached said they were not authorized to disable the bags. The second said the same but added " you know they are fuzed don't you?" . Din my view disabling the bags [whle awaiting the repair should be the option of the owner. Request comment/guidance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 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. The failure mileage was 66,000. Updated 05/10/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Takata recall I was informed in a letter that GM is working on airbag recall for my car. It stated that in case of an accident my airbag can explode and I May die. They also said that in another letter they will specify when the replacement part is available. It has been a while and I have not heard anything back so I decided to do my own research. After calling local Cadillac dealer here in nashville, I was informed that the only place in tennessee that still does Saab warranty work in in memphis. After calling that dealership, they said that the parts have been available for a while. I believe this is a very serious matter since my life can be at danger every time I drive my car. I feel like GM is acting negligent in this case. I understand that they do not produce saabs anymore, but they should still do their best to support the product that they have produced.
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.
Related recalls (2)
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.
Air bags
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels May not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
Remedy: Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began July 30, 2001.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saab 9-3 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (87), 2008 (71), 2007 (65), 2011 (25) and 2010 (22) model years. Airbag complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Saab 9-3 airbag problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 16V-063 (inflator module, Feb 3, 2016); 01V-168 (air bags, May 18, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saab 9-3 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (15 mentions), followed by the side/window (8).
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.