Complaints by model year
Distinct federal complaints filed against each model year of the Saab 9-3, to date. Hover a bar for the count. Older years have had longer to accumulate filings; the rankings below correct for that.
1994
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Highest totals within an 8-year windowAll other years
Model years compared
Ranked from the same federal record on an equal exposure window. Click any year for its full file.
Highest complaint totals
- 2003 Saab 9-3 - 180 complaints in its first 8 years (212 to date)
- 2008 Saab 9-3 - 136 complaints in its first 8 years (184 to date)
- 2004 Saab 9-3 - 134 complaints in its first 8 years (207 to date)
Ranked on distinct complaints filed within eight years of the model year, so old and new years get the same exposure window. Not adjusted for sales volume; a best-selling year files more complaints at the same failure rate.
Lowest totals among mature years
- 2002 Saab 9-3 - 25 complaints in its first 8 years (37 to date)
- 2011 Saab 9-3 - 27 complaints in its first 8 years (30 to date)
- 2010 Saab 9-3 - 28 complaints in its first 8 years (30 to date)
Same eight-year window, among model years old enough to have completed it and with at least 25 complaints in it. Model years before 1990 are excluded because the federal file begins in 1995. A low total is not proof of reliability.
What owners report, all years combined
Every model year
| Model year | Complaints to date | Within 8 years | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Saab 9-3 | 30 | 27 | 3 |
| 2010 Saab 9-3 | 30 | 28 | 3 |
| 2009 Saab 9-3 | 43 | 40 | 2 |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 | 184 | 136 | 2 |
| 2007 Saab 9-3 | 155 | 74 | 2 |
| 2006 Saab 9-3 | 179 | 73 | 2 |
| 2005 Saab 9-3 | 95 | 59 | 2 |
| 2004 Saab 9-3 | 207 | 134 | 5 |
| 2003 Saab 9-3 | 212 | 180 | 4 |
| 2002 Saab 9-3 | 37 | 25 | 4 |
| 2001 Saab 9-3 | 59 | 44 | 4 |
| 2000 Saab 9-3 | 50 | 33 | 2 |
| 1999 Saab 9-3 | 64 | 51 | 3 |
| 1994 Saab 9-3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Recall campaigns, all years
Every campaign filed against this model, with the model years it covers. Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN.
| Campaign | Years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V063000 | 2006-2011 | Air Bags | 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... |
| 14V318000 | 2004-2011 | Seat Belts | General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. |
| 11V015000 | 2010-2011 | Fuel System, Other | SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. |
| 10V043000 | 2004 | Seat Belts | GENERAL 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. |
| 07V087000 | 2002-2003 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION. |
| 06V126000 | 2001 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION. |
| 05V399000 | 2000-2002 | Electrical System | CERTAIN 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... |
| 05V236000 | 2003-2005 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | CERTAIN 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. |
| 04V557000 | 2001-2002 | Fuel System, Gasoline | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION. |
| 04V540000 | 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING. |
| 04V226000 | 2003-2004 | Seat Belts | SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. |
| 03V514000 | 2004 | Seats | CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. |
| 01V314000 | 2002 | Steering | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY. |
| 01V168000 | 2000-2001 | Air Bags | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. |
| 99V362000 | 1999 | Equipment | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." |
| 99V246000 | 1999 | Seats | VEHICLE 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... |
| 98V139000 | 1999 | Equipment | VEHICLE 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. |