17
recalls
The Saab 9-3 has 17 recalls covering 591,094 vehicles as reported; model year 2004 is covered by the most (6). Owners filed 2 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; air bags is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
17
Most for 2004: 6
Units affected
591K
As reported
Overall stars
-
Not rated
Complaints, 12 mo
2
0.0% vs 12 months before
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
11 rated versions, model years 2008 to 2012
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 DR · AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2012 | 4 DR · FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2012 | SW · AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2012 | SW · FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2011 | 4 DR · 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2011 | 4 DR · RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2011 | SW · 4WD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.7% risk |
| 2011 | SW · RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.7% risk |
| 2010 | 4 DR · FWD/AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2009 | 4 DR · FWD/AWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
| 2008 | 4 DR · FWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | 12.1% risk |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Saab 9-3, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
2 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Air bags368
- Electrical system188
- Suspension174
- Seat belts163
- Engine117
- Engine and engine cooling104
- Power train71
- Complaints
- 1,349
- Crashes reported
- 56
- Fires reported
- 22
- People injured
- 71
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Saab 9-3 by component
- Fuel system, gasoline3 · 124K units
- Seat belts3 · 74K units
- Air bags2 · 157K units
- Equipment2 · 40K units
- Seats2 · 6,790 units
- Electrical system1 · 103K units
- Engine and engine cooling1 · 12K units
- Fuel system, other1 · 4,400 units
Saab 9-3 recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 3, 2016 | Saab 9-3, 9-5; Saturn Astra (2006-2011): Air bagsNo. 16V063000 | Crash risk | 113,716 |
| Jun 12, 2014 | Saab 9-3 (2004-2011): Seat beltsNo. 14V318000 | Crash risk | 28,789 |
| Jan 19, 2011 | Saab 9-3 (2010-2011): Fuel system, otherNo. 11V015000 | Crash risk | 4,400 |
| Feb 18, 2010 | Saab 9-3 (2004): Seat beltsNo. 10V043000 | Crash risk | 14,126 |
| Mar 7, 2007 | Saab 9-3, 9-3 Convertible, 9-5 (2000-2005): Fuel system, gasolineNo. 07V087000 | Fire | 94,377 |
| Apr 20, 2006 | Saab 9-3 (2001): Fuel system, gasolineNo. 06V126000 | Fire | 11,886 |
| Sep 14, 2005 | Saab 9-3, 9-5 (2000-2002): Electrical systemNo. 05V399000 | Fire | 103,202 |
| May 19, 2005 | Saab 9-3 (2003-2005): Service brakes, hydraulicNo. 05V236000 | Crash risk | 68,654 |
| Nov 19, 2004 | Saab 9-3, 9-3 Convertible (2001-2002): Fuel system, gasolineNo. 04V557000 | Fire | 17,394 |
| Oct 20, 2004 | Saab 9-3 (2003): Engine and engine coolingNo. 04V540000 | Other or not stated | 12,249 |
| May 11, 2004 | Saab 9-3 (2003-2004): Seat beltsNo. 04V226000 | Crash risk | 31,335 |
| Dec 10, 2003 | Saab 9-3 (2004): SeatsNo. 03V514000 | Crash risk | 1,658 |
| Oct 3, 2001 | Saab 9-3 (2002): SteeringNo. 01V314000 | Crash risk | 1,366 |
| May 18, 2001 | Saab 9-3, 9-5 (2000-2001): Air bagsNo. 01V168000 | Crash risk | 43,073 |
| Dec 29, 1999 | Saab 9-3 (1999): EquipmentNo. 99V362000 | Crash risk | 424 |
| Sep 13, 1999 | Saab 9-3 (1999): SeatsNo. 99V246000 | Crash risk | 5,132 |
| Jun 23, 1998 | Saab 9-3, 9-5, 900, 9000 (1997-1999): EquipmentNo. 98V139000 | Crash risk | 39,313 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2011 Saab 9-3 recalled?
Yes: 3 recalls cover the 2011 Saab 9-3. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Saab 9-3 have?
17 recalls cover the Saab 9-3, for 591,094 vehicles as reported. The most common problem is fuel system, gasoline (3 recalls).
What do owners complain about most on the Saab 9-3?
Air bags: named in 368 of the 1,349 safety complaints about the Saab 9-3, then electrical system (188). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.