MYRModel Year Report

2005 Saab 9-3

◆ Worse than typical
2005 Saab 9-3
RENDERED 2026-09-16T18:28:56.688Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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

Complaints per year, Saab 9-3 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 50 complaints 2000 2001: 59 complaints 2002: 37 complaints 2002 2003: 212 complaints 2004: 207 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2005 2006: 179 complaints 2006 2007: 155 complaints 2008: 184 complaints 2008 2009: 43 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 30 complaints 2011
2005: 95 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199964
200050
200159
200237
2003212
2004207
200595
2006179
2007155
2008184
200943
201030
201130

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

SUSPENSION 34%

34% of complaints: suspension — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front and coil springs.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120402

THE FRONT-RIGHT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN (WHEN TURNING 180 DEGREE, AT 3 OR 5 MPH); *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120322

SEAT BELTS 23%

23% of complaints: seat belts — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and front.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

SEAT BELT REPAIR PROBLEM RE 2005 SAAB 9.3 VIN [XXX] PURCHASED DEC '04, INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AUG '05. NO REPAIR PARTS STOCKED IN USA, THEREFORE ORDERED FROM SWEDEN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20051025

AIR BAGS 13%

13% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20160307

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171227

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 5 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190806

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2005 — complaint volume: 95
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

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Saab 9-3 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (32 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V236000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11E009000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V318000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Saab 9-3 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Saab 9-3 is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saab 9-3?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Saab 9-3 have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-08-10 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.