MYRModel Year Report

Saab 9-3 — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-08-10 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

5 model years to avoid, 1 to watch and 5 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid5 years

Caution1 year

Best bets5 years

Complaint history

1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1997 1999: 64 complaints, Recommended 2000: 50 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 59 complaints, Recommended 2002: 37 complaints, Recommended 2003: 212 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 207 complaints, Avoid 2005: 95 complaints, Caution 2006: 179 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 155 complaints, Avoid 2008: 184 complaints, Avoid 2009: 43 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2011: 30 complaints, Recommended 2003 · 212
1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1996 1998 1999: 64 complaints, Recommended 2000: 50 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 59 complaints, Recommended 2002: 37 complaints, Recommended 2003: 212 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 207 complaints, Avoid 2005: 95 complaints, Caution 2006: 179 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 155 complaints, Avoid 2008: 184 complaints, Avoid 2008 2009: 43 complaints, Recommended 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 30 complaints, Recommended 2003 · 212
1994: 1 complaint, Not enough data 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999: 64 complaints, Recommended 1999 2000: 50 complaints, Recommended 2000 2001: 59 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 37 complaints, Recommended 2002 2003: 212 complaints, Avoid 2003 2004: 207 complaints, Avoid 2004 2005: 95 complaints, Caution 2005 2006: 179 complaints, Avoid 2006 2007: 155 complaints, Avoid 2007 2008: 184 complaints, Avoid 2008 2009: 43 complaints, Recommended 2009 2010: 30 complaints, Recommended 2010 2011: 30 complaints, Recommended 2011 2003 · 212
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2011 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2010 ▲ Recommended 30 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2009 ▲ Recommended 43 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2008 ■ Avoid 184 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2007 ■ Avoid 155 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2006 ■ Avoid 179 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2005 ◆ Caution 95 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
2004 ■ Avoid 207 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2003 ■ Avoid 212 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
2002 ▲ Recommended 37 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2001 ● Recommended 59 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
2000 ▲ Recommended 50 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ● Recommended 64 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1995–1998 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1994 ○ Not enough data 1 Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

18

recalls on file across every Saab 9-3 model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Saab models