2004 Saab 9-3
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
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
32% of complaints: seat belts — 67 distinct reports on file.
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
14% of complaints: suspension — 29 distinct reports on file.
9% of complaints: suspension — 18 distinct reports on file.
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
8% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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
TAKATA RECALL - GM DEALERS ADVISE MY CAR NOT AFFECTED BUT ON RECALL WEBSITES MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 AERO IS SHOWN TO HAVE A TAKATA AIR BAG.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180327
AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT
NHTSA ODI report, 20180317
5% of complaints: seat belts — 11 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
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
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
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
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR
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
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
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
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2004 Saab 9-3 — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for seat belts issues (67 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (29 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V514000 (seats) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V226000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V236000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V043000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 11E009000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V318000 (seat belts) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2004 Saab 9-3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Saab 9-3 is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saab 9-3?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.