Owners filed 95 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the seat belts. It has been recalled 3 times.
When it fails
06000060,000 milesMedian miles at failure
77 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Seat Belts
19
0
0
0
Suspension
14
0
0
0
Suspension › Front
13
0
0
0
Air Bags
10
1
0
2
Electrical System
8
0
1
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
4
0
1
0
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Pads
2
0
0
0
Seats
2
0
0
4
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.
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.
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
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.