MYRModel Year Report

2011 Saab 9-3

▲ Better than typical
2011 Saab 9-3
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:31:45.014Z

This year had at least 30% fewer 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
30
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

83% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2011: 30 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.

Air bags

83% · 25 reports
CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Drivers side airbag spontaneously deployed while in motion on a city street going in a forward, straight motion.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-31

Takata recall GM/Saab has no parts to deliver to the local Saab dealer to replace the necessary parts to make the car safe to drive. GM claims that the problem is not a high risk in New York.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-12

Seat belts

10% · 3 reports

Suspension

3% · 1 report
Show complaint excerpts

Pump on rear xwd failure

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-22

Service brakes

3% · 1 report
Show complaint excerpts

Large sections of the front brake rotors are flaking apart. The rotor surface is reduced to about half of normal and no longer provides safe stopping ability. Stopping distance is significantly increased and safety is severely compromised.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-10-20

Power train

3% · 1 report
Show complaint excerpts

The all wheel drive hydraulic pump went bad and there are none available to fix car. The haldex all wheel drive is being used on various other makes and I believe that there is a defect in the design of the system.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-06

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2011-02-22Fuel system, gasoline11E009000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2011-03-03Fuel system, other11V015000 Saab is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 passenger vehicles manufactured from June 2010 through December 2010. Certain fuel pumps installed as original equipment may have internal…

    Remedy: Saab will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The safety recall began on March 3, 2011. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-10-06Seat belts14V318000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2017-03-01Air bags16V063000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles...

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Saab 9-3 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 11E009000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 11V015000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 14V318000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 16V063000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Saab 9-3 reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Saab 9-3 is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Saab 9-3?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 83% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Saab 9-3 have?
4 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.