2004 Saab 9-3

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2004 Saab 9-3
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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

2004: 207 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SEAT BELTS 39%

39% of complaints: seat belts — 80 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing retractor and front.

Show complaint excerpts

Retractor won't pull driver side seat belt back in

NHTSA ODI report, 20240715

I HAVE A RECALL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT. IT WAS BROKEN AND IS UNSPOOLED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

SUSPENSION 28%

28% of complaints: suspension — 57 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and coil springs.

Show complaint excerpts

FRONT RIGHT TIRE STARTED SMOKING, FOLLOWED QUICKLY BY BLOWOUT. AFTER REMOVING TIRE, DISCOVERED THE SPRING PART OF THE SUSPENSION HAD FRACTURED INTO 2 PIECES, ONE PIECE LOOSE AND UNATTACHED, THE OTHER STILL INTACT WITH THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120325

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 20 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

SAAB 9-3 REAR ENDED A DODGE SPRINTER VAN AT ~5MPH AND PASSENGER AB DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SEAT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. VEHICLE NORMALLY DISPLAYS SEAT BELT WARNING WHEN SEAT HAS A HEAVY BAG (OR PASSENGER) IN IT AND WARNING WAS NOT DISPLAYED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120427

OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE "B" REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20050316

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY YET THE PASSENGER SIDE DID.

NHTSA ODI report, 20041101

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing module.

CRASH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and catalytic convertor.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031229 — seats

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COMPONENT. IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEATS HAVE THIS COMPONENT, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. T

Campaign 03V514000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 207

R 20050124 — seat belts

SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Campaign 04V226000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060317 — 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. THIS COULD RESULT IN SU

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.

Campaign 05V236000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080828 — PE (closed 20081223)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20081222 — EA (closed 20100604)

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

I 20090930 — PE (closed 20100225)

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR

R 20100515 — 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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL CO

Campaign 10V043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20110222 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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

Campaign 11E009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20151006 — 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.

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.

Campaign 14V318000 — check if this car was fixed