1999 Saab 9-3

● Typical for this model

1999 Saab 9-3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:01:22.338Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1999: 64 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	1
1999	64
2000	50
2001	59
2002	37
2003	212
2004	207
2005	95
2006	179
2007	155
2008	184
2009	43
2010	30
2011	30

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TODAY, SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN MOTION, AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210228

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180719

JUST AS I PARKED MY CAR, MY SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE/LEFT EAR AND NECK WERE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180629

AIR BAGS 11%

11% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 6, 2006, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO WARM IT UP TO TAKE MY FIVE YEAR OLD TO SCHOOL. MY 5 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AS THE CAR WAS WARMING UP.

NHTSA ODI report, 20061213

FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR WAS PARKED IN HOME DRIVEWAY. DRIVER SHUT HIS DOOR NORMALLY AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HITTING PASSENGER WHO WAS STILL GETTING ADJUSTED IN HER SEAT.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20050130

WHEN VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CRASH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG . DOOR AND GLOVE COMPARTMENT CANNOT BE OPENED. THE IMPACT BLEW OUT THE GLASS ON THE SIDE DOOR AND CRACKED THE WINDSHELD.

NHTSA ODI report, 19990720

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 6%

6% of complaints: suspension — 4 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19980901 — 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. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Campaign 98V139000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991015 — 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 UNLOCKED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 99V246000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20000130 — 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."

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Campaign 99V362000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20050407 — PE (closed 20050923)

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES