2005 Saab 9-3

Routine

Owners filed 95 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the suspension. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Saab 9-3 years to avoid. Which Saab 9-3 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

77 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2005 Saab 9-3 problems

29 of the 95 complaints (31%) are about the suspension.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Seat Belts19
000
Suspension14
000
Suspension › Front13
000
Air Bags · airbags10
102
Electrical System8
010
Fuel/Propulsion System · fuel and propulsion system4
010
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs2
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes2
000
Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Pads · brakes2
000
Seats2
004

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor14V318000
Filed Jun 12, 201428,789 vehiclesGeneral Motors LLC

Defect. General 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 driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.

Risk. In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump11E009000
Filed Feb 28, 20114,887 vehiclesTi Group Automotive Systems, LLC

Defect. TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Risk. A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy. TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings05V236000
Filed May 19, 200568,654 vehiclesSaab Cars USA, Inc.

Defect. 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. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Aug 3, 2023FL

The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V318000 (Seat Belts). The vehicle was not repaired. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 11, 202086,000 milesCA

IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE.. WHILE DRIVING THE GAS GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS IL JUST REV THERE BE A CUT OFF DUE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN WHICH IT'S A COMMON IN ALL SAABS I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BECOME A RECALL. IT'S DANGEROUS THE CUT OFF IS AROUND 2-3 SECONDS. I ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LOST OF POWER. I WAS ENTERING THE FREE WAY AND AN 18 WHEELER HAD TO SWITCH LANES AND PASSED I WAS GOING AROUND 45 MPH MERGING . THE SECOND TIME I WAS GOING 25 MPH AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE SHUT OF AND GATHER SPEED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBE. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS ISSUES BUT THEIR NOT PARTS TO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE BUT IF YOU TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THEYL CHARGE YOU RIDICULOUS FOR LABOR ALMOST $1200 JUST IN CHANGING THE DRIVE BELT?

Electrical System
Filed Nov 6, 2019190,015 milesNY

ALTORNATOR KEEP MALFUNCTIONING HAPPEND MULTIPLE TIME

Fuel/Propulsion SystemFire
Filed Aug 6, 201974,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW SMOKE COMING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED FIRE WAS COMING FROM A FUEL LEAK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED A BYSTANDER CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER FLIKKEMA SAAB LOCATED AT 2424 176TH ST, LANSING, IL 60438, (708) 474-1933, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *DT *JB

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 22, 2019130,000 milesDC

NHTSA 14V318000 WAS A RECALL FOR SEAT BELTS THAT FAILS TO RETRACT. WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR AND PULL IT OUT TO FASTEN IT OFTEN REMAINS SLACK. THAT EVENT CAUSED ME TO DO RESEARCH AND FIND THE RECALL. BUT IT DID NOT EXTEND TO MY CAR WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE RECALL WAS TOO NARROW.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Aug 29, 201812,000 milesCA

MY CAR WON'T START AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHY DUE TO THERE NOT BEING ANY SAAB DEALERS NEAR THE AREA I'M STUCK IN... I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUT OF MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS CUZ I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY CAR

Air Bags
Filed Feb 15, 2018MO

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 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. WEST COUNTY VOLVO (14410 MANCHESTER RD, MANCHESTER, MO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 3, 2018119,000 milesFL

THE DRIVER'S SEAT-BELT HAS STOPPED RETRACTING. THE ITEM HAS A RECALL BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE

Seats
Filed Jan 2, 2018110,000 milesFL

POWER SEAT TRACKS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SLIDE BACK AND FORTH SUCH THAT WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD ABOUT AN INCH. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SAABS.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 27, 2017FL

HORN DOES NOT BLOW, PLEASE WAIT LIGHT STAYS ON. AND BURNS THE BATTERY OUT OVER A DAY OR SO WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY HAVE TO RECHARGE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 14, 2017FL

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR. 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 VEHICLE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER SIX WEEKS LATER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF WEST PALM BEACH LOCATED ON 3031 OKEEBHOBEE BLVD WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33409). ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-800-955-9007, BUT THE PHONE DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO INFORMED GENERAL MOTORS AT 1-800-462-8782 WHO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH SAAB AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 18, 2017190,000 milesMA

FREQUENTLY THE CAR STALLS SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC, LOOSES POWER I CAN'T ACCELERATE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL TO GET HIT. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE CAR VIBRATES AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOT OF SMOKE COMES OUT FROM BACK AND RICH GASOLINE SMELL COMES AND THE SPEED TURNS TO 0. I TURN IT OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES AND RESTART SOMETIMES IT STARTS OK SOMETIMES IT VIBRATES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 8, 2016128,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 8, 20168,500 milesNY

TAKATA RECALL WHY AREN'T PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT TO WAIT FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE IF SOMEONE IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS RECALL. WHY ISN'T MORE BEING DONE ABOUT IT. WHY IS THIS COMPANY STILL ALLOWED TO BE IN BUSINESS?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2016MO

WHAT ARE THE SERIAL NUMBERS FOR THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS?

Air Bags
Filed Jun 27, 2016MO

PER GM, THE 2005 SAAB 9-3 WAS DELETED FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. I WANT THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG SERIAL NUMBERS TO ENSURE MY SAAB IS SAFE.

Air Bags
Filed May 5, 2016CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V63000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM 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.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 5, 2016MA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Mar 28, 2016OR

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM SAAB ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE INFLATOR OF THE AIRBAG RUPTURING AND METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE CUSHION. THEY DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT TIL IT IS FIXED OR SOMETHING HAPPENS? CAN THEY TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS THEY NEED TO FIX THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING ANY RESPONSIBILITIES? ANY INFORMATION WILL HELP. THANK YOU. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 7, 2016127,277 milesMD

TAKATA RECALL DRIVER IN FRONT WAS IN MOTION AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AT THE YELLOW SIGNAL LIGHT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. THERE WAS A DIRECT IMPACT FRONT END COLLISION TO MY CAR. THE FORCE OF COLLISION ACTIVATED MY PASSENGER AIRBAG TO INFLATE, BUT MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT...UPDATED 05/09/16 *BF *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 4, 2016AL

TAKATA RECALL CANT TRUST MY CAR IF I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS

Suspension
Filed Feb 18, 2016100,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER STRUT WAS BENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Suspension
Filed Feb 4, 2016130,000 milesKS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 30 MPH I HEAR A BANG! I START TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULLED OVER SAFELY ONCE I GAINED CONTROL WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT MY PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO AND MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS BLOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY INJURED OR KILLED! SAAB YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL THIS IS LIFE THREATENING!

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 29, 2015120,000 milesWI

MUCH LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V318000 (GM RECALL NUMBER 14222), THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE BELT IS PULLED OUT. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BELT WOULD NOT BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE DRIVER TO RETRACT, SINCE IT IS TOO LOOSE.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 28, 2015PA

RECALL 14222/15027. RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT MECHANISM. UPON MAKING SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL GM DEALER THEY STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE A TECHNICIAN TO DO IT. I TRIED CALLING THE 800 NUMBER ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND GOT A RECORDING THAT THE NUMBER WAS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHO CAN PERFORM THIS RECALL SERVICE?

Seat Belts
Filed Sep 17, 2015MN

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT INTERNAL CABLE BROKE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE IS A RECALL. BUT, THE PARTS ARE BACKORDERED OVER 10 MONTHS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NOTHING I CAN DO. GM HAS NOT PROVIDED A DATE WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 31, 2015119,000 milesMA

THE RETRACTOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IN MY 2005 SAAB 9-3 AERO CONVERTIBLE BROKE. THIS DEFECT IS ALREADY SUBJECT OF A RECALL BY GM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, THE LOCAL DEALER, AND PARTS DISTRIBUTOR SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ITEM IS ON INDEFINITE BACK ORDER AND IS UNLIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE. I BELIEVE THIS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND IS AN ATTEMPT BY GM TO AVOID THE RECALL AND REPAIRING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE GM COMPLIES WITH THE RECALL REQUIREMENTS?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 21, 201593,000 milesNC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED TO HAVE HALF A TANK FULL OF FUEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO BRING FUEL AND REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNAWARE OF THE ACCURATE FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 16, 201510,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO SATISFY THE RECALL. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD AN ISSUE WITH RETRACTING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AFTER USE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 24, 201545,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE SEAT BELT BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT UPON RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 23, 2014150,000 milesFL

DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 11, 2014167,000 milesMO

JUST PUT 2005 SAAB 9-3 INTO SHOP FOR NEW BREAKS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. PARTS ARE UNAVAILABLE. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION AS TO WHEN THIS MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. THANKFULLY IT WAS NOT ON FREEWAY. *TR

Suspension
Filed Aug 20, 201452,892 milesMI

I WENT TO PUT NEW TIRES ON THE CAR BECAUSE OF A FLAT TIRE AND THE SERVICE GARAGE INDICATED THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. I CALLED A SAAB DEALEARSHIP AND THAT INDICATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED THE SPRINGS BUT THE REPLACEMENT SPRINGS WERE NOT COVERED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 18, 201470,000 milesIL

NUMEROUS SAAB OWNERS INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELTS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SEATS. THESE SEAT BELTS BREAK AND DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND THEY MUST BE MANUALLY FED BACK INTO THE CAR BODY IN ORDER TO TIGHTEN. IF THIS IS NOT DONE THE SEAT BELT WILL FAIL TO HOLD THE OCCUPANTS IN THE SEAT DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS AS WELL AS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT WHICH DUE TO THIS DEFECT MAY BECOME FATAL. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jun 23, 201456,000 milesMO

I GOT IN MY CAR TO GO TO WORK AND AS I PULLED THE BELT OVER MY SHOULDER THE RETRACTING MECHANISM SNAPPED. THE BELT WAS COMPLETELY SLACK WITH NO PROTECTIVE CAPACITY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN 2005. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A RECALL ITEM. I ORDERED THE BELT, IT WAS BACKORDERED ("COMING IN FROM SWEDEN"). I MADE THE APPOINTMENT FOR REPLACING IT, TOOK IT IN AND CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A RECALL. THEY SAID IT WAS ACTUALLY A "CAMPAIGN" TO REPLACE FAULTY BELT MECHANISMS. TEN MINUTES LATER THEY CHANGED THEIR MINDS, STATING THAT THEY JUST FOUND OUT (?) IT DIDN'T COVER THE CONVERTIBLE...ONLY THE SEDANS. I PAID $431.80 FOR THE BELT AND $337.50 FOR THE LABOR TO INSTALL IT. I FELT THAT, AS I OR MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR WORSE HAD IT FAILED IN A COLLISION, THE RESPONSIBILITY SHOULD LIE WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALERSHIP IS WEST COUNTY (SAAB) VOLVO, 14410 MANCHESTER ROAD, MANCHESTER, MO 63011. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed May 22, 2014116,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 26, 201320,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 5, 201397,141 milesCA

CAR STALLED. WILL NOT START....I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. I CALLED AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP PART NUMBER. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS, AND HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT ASSIST ME BECAUSE HE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN AUCTION. PLEASE HELP ME , I NEED TO GET THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 1, 201365,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 201366,486 milesWA

VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Mar 1, 2013103,000 milesCT

I JUST PURCHASED A SAAB AND I NOTICED I HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ISSUE SOMEONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT. THE SEAT BELT HAS NO TENSION AND WOULDN'T STOP MY FORWARD MOMENTUM IN AN ACCIDENT. SEARCHING ONLINE I NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN SAABS FROM AROUND THIS TIME AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER YEAR MODELS. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Aug 23, 201293,000 milesWI

MY SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. IT IS VERY WEAK AND DOESN'T MAKE THE SEAT BELT TIGHT TO MY CHEST. EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS A 2005 SAAB HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I JUST THINK IF I GET IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT, IT COULD KILL ME. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 10, 201266,489 milesMN

FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE. SERVICE STATION HAD TO REMOVE FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLIES TO REPLACE "BROKEN" FRONT COIL SPRINGS- INSTALL STRUTS-CLEAN AFFECTED SURFACES AND TWO NEW TIRES. *TR

Suspension
Filed Apr 2, 201278,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER AND THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Suspension
Filed Mar 22, 201278,000 milesIL

THE FRONT-RIGHT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN (WHEN TURNING 180 DEGREE, AT 3 OR 5 MPH); *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 9, 201242,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE DIFFERENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN STRAIGHT TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE AFFECTED UNITS THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD COVER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000.

Suspension
Filed Feb 24, 201277,000 milesMI

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A CLUNKING SOUND NEAR FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. UPON INVESTIGATION THIS WEEK, I COULD SEE THAT THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN RIGHT THROUGH THE METAL. I HAD NEVER HEARS OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT. MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. DROVE IT TO THE MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A BROKEN SPRING. THEY INFORMED ME THAT, ALTHOUGH THE PART IS NOT EXPENSIVE, THERE ARE NONE AVAILABLE, THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, AND THE PART IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER! I NEVER REC'D ANY SORT OF NOTIFICATION FROM SAAB ABOUT THIS. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THAT I WAS INCREDIBLY LUCKY THAT THE BREAK DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE FREEWAY, THAT IT COULD HAVE TAKEN OUT THE BRAND NEW FRONT TIRE. I HAVE A YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I VOLUNTEER TO DRIVE OTHER SCHOOL KIDS ON A WEEKLY BASIS--THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. UNTIL A NEW SPRING IS FOUND, I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR, THAT IT COULD BLOW OUT THE TIRE AT ANY TIME. THERE IS NO ETA ON THE NEW PART. EVEN THOUGH SAAB IS BANKRUPT, THERE'S A LOCAL DEALER STILL IN BUSINESS, SO I'M THE WAIT LIST FOR THE PART WITH THEM AS WELL. IN THE MEANTIME, I'M STUCK. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jan 30, 201267,342 milesMA

COIL BROKE , AND COULD HAVE DESTROYED THE TIRE AT HIGH SPEEDS WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY BAD. *TT

Suspension
Filed Jan 27, 2012101,250 milesOH

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A SPRING. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER STRUT SPRING REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. SEVERAL HOURS LATER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS ONLY AVAILABLE FROM SAAB IN SWEDEN AND THE ETA WAS UNKNOWN DUE TO SAAB BANKRUPTCY STATUS. A DAY LATER THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A USED PART WITH A 30-DAY WARRANTY BUT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. FORTUNATELY, NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO MY TIRES, AS I HAD JUST REPLACED THE SET ONLY TWO WEEKS PRIOR. ALSO, I APPRECIATE THE DEALER TELLING ME OF THE RISK IN CONTINUING TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE BROKEN SPRING. THEY ALSO PROVIDED A LOANER CAR FOR THE PERIOD OF THE REPAIR. STILL, IF THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, THE REPAIR COST SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED AND/OR CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED SOME TYPE OF NOTIFICATION OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 6, 201169,000 milesIL

IN APRIL 2011, WHEN I STARTED MY CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD VERY LITTLE POWER ON ACCELERATION UNTIL MY CAR HIT 2000 RPM. A DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED IT WAS A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS SIX MONTHS AGO, IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES SINCE. THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE THIS FOR 2 DAYS THEN WORK NORMAL AGAIN. I HAVE TO PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. I ALSO TAKE OFF EXTREMELY SLOW FROM ANY FULL STOPS I MAKE. IT IS HIT OR MISS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 95, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201130400Routine
201030400Routine
200943300Routine
2008184311Fatalities reported
2007155350Routine
2006179330Routine
2005 — this page95320Routine
2004207620Above average
2003212560Above average
200237410Routine
200159411Fatalities reported
200050210Routine
199964300Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every 9-3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 12, 2014. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.