Vehicles / Saab / 9-3

Saab 9-3

1,689 federal complaints across 14 model years (1994-2011) ยท 17 recall campaigns

Complaints by model year

Federal complaints filed against each model year of the Saab 9-3. Hover a bar for the count.

1994
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Three most-complained-about yearsAll other years

Which years to avoid

Ranked from the same federal record. Click any year for its full file.

Years to look at twice

  1. 2003 Saab 9-3 - 323 complaints
  2. 2004 Saab 9-3 - 236 complaints
  3. 2006 Saab 9-3 - 227 complaints
Highest raw complaint counts. Counts are not adjusted for sales volume.

Quieter years

  1. 2002 Saab 9-3 - 52 complaints
  2. 2000 Saab 9-3 - 72 complaints
  3. 2001 Saab 9-3 - 74 complaints
Fewest complaints among years with a meaningful record; the two newest model years are excluded because they have had little time to accumulate filings.

What fails, all years combined

Air bags
370
Engine & cooling
221
Electrical system
207
Suspension
187
Seat belts
164
Fuel system
109

Every model year

Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2011 Saab 9-3333
2010 Saab 9-3313
2009 Saab 9-3462
2008 Saab 9-32182
2007 Saab 9-31822
2006 Saab 9-32272
2005 Saab 9-31142
2004 Saab 9-32365
2003 Saab 9-33234
2002 Saab 9-3524
2001 Saab 9-3744
2000 Saab 9-3722
1999 Saab 9-3803
1994 Saab 9-310

Recall campaigns, all years

Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Recall repairs are free at the dealer.

CampaignYearsComponentSummary
16V0630002006-2011Air BagsGeneral 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
14V3180002004-2011Seat BeltsGeneral 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 driv
11V0150002010-2011Fuel System, OtherSAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE
10V0430002004Seat BeltsGENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL TO RETRACT.
07V0870002002-2003Fuel System, GasolineON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
06V1260002001Fuel System, GasolineON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
05V3990002000-2002Electrical SystemCERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIP
05V2360002003-2005Service Brakes, HydraulicCERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS
04V5570002001-2002Fuel System, GasolineON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
04V5400002003Engine And Engine CoolingON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
04V2260002003-2004Seat BeltsSOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE
03V5140002004SeatsCERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SE
01V3140002002SteeringVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.
01V1680002000-2001Air BagsVEHICLE 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 AFFI
99V3620001999EquipmentVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
99V2460001999SeatsVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UN
98V1390001999EquipmentVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH P