TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AT 3 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING RUBBER ODOR AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 03/27/09 *BF UPDATED 04/01/09.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10261423
53,000 miles · Mar 3, 2009
Suspension
AFTER NOTICING AN INCREASINGLY LOUD SUSPENSION CLUNK COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE SAAB DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SPRING WAS SNAPPED AND BOTH FRONT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND THE…
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AFTER NOTICING AN INCREASINGLY LOUD SUSPENSION CLUNK COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE SAAB DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT SPRING WAS SNAPPED AND BOTH FRONT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THE CAR WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE WEB I HAVE FOUND THERE ARE SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRINGS FOR THIS YEAR AND MODEL, I WAS LUCKY THAT I DID NOT EXPERIENCE AND FAILURE AT HIGH SPEED AS SOME OTHERS HAVE. I FIND THIS TO BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS THAT THE SPRINGS ARE ROTTING AND SNAPPING AFTER ONLY A FEW YEARS. I LIVE IN THE SNOW BELT THAT IS NOTED IN THE ALREADY OPEN INVESTIGATION. ACTION# PE08052 AND EA08026. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260633
53,000 miles · Feb 20, 2009
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE EXPERIENCES A SCRAPING SOUND. THEN HER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND WAS SHREDDED. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY ON A LOCAL STREET, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER; OTHERWISE THE TIRE BLOWOUT COULD HAVE CAUSED HER SERIOUS HARM. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE SPRING (OR COIL) THAT HAD BROKEN. COST US $650.0…
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WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE EXPERIENCES A SCRAPING SOUND. THEN HER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND WAS SHREDDED. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY ON A LOCAL STREET, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER; OTHERWISE THE TIRE BLOWOUT COULD HAVE CAUSED HER SERIOUS HARM. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE SPRING (OR COIL) THAT HAD BROKEN. COST US $650.00 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS (SAAB SAID YOU HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT SAME TIME, EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE BROKE) AND FOR A NEW TIRE. SAAB DEALER SAID BROKEN SPRINGS/COILS NOT COVERED. I KEPT THE BROKEN SPRING. WE HAD THE LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP DISCARD THE SHREDDED TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259457
51,275 miles · Feb 5, 2009
SuspensionTires
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL AND THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. I DID NOT HIT A BUMP. THE SPRING CAUSED A CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. I HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND HAVE NEW COIL SPRINGS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257604
690,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Suspension
MY 2004 SAAB 93 ARC HAD 2 BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS. TOLD CORROSION CAUSED BREAKAGE. RIGHT FRONT BROKE WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. REPAIRS OVER 400$ FOR JUST COIL SPRINGS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254741
40,000 miles · Jan 11, 2009
Suspension
ABOUT 5 INCHES OF THE LOWER PART OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED OFF AND REMAINED IN THE WHEEL WELL. WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO GET IT REPAIRED, JUST NOTICED IT, TIME OF INCIDENT UNKNOWN IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 06. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254664
117,000 miles · Dec 25, 2008
Suspension
I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR AND WAS DRIVING NEAR MY HOUSE AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I DROVE THE CAR HOME A BLOCK AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO FIND A PIECE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING SNAPPED OFF AND THE REMAINDER WAS RUBBING AGAINST MY TIRE. LUCKILY NO HARM WAS DONE TO MYSELF OR TIRE BUT IT COU…
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I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR AND WAS DRIVING NEAR MY HOUSE AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I DROVE THE CAR HOME A BLOCK AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO FIND A PIECE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING SNAPPED OFF AND THE REMAINDER WAS RUBBING AGAINST MY TIRE. LUCKILY NO HARM WAS DONE TO MYSELF OR TIRE BUT IT COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NOT AS GOOD RESULTS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR NOT ONLY IN THE US BUT SAME THING IN EUROPE. I WILL HAVE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND GET THE COIL REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252788
74,910 miles · Dec 22, 2008
Suspension
1. STANDARD DRIVING CONDITIONS IN MINNESOTA. 2. FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE. NEAR THE TOP OF SPRING. 3. REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT DEALERSHIP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252539
45,950 miles · Dec 16, 2008
Suspension
ON 2004 SAAB 9-3, RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, SLASHED WALL OF TIRE RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE DEFLATION. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, REPAIRED SAME DAY, REQUESTED OLD PART TO BE HELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10251986
43,000 miles · Jul 3, 2008
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING 35~40MPH SUDDEN VERY LOUD POP NOISE. DIDN'T HIT A HOLE OR ANYTHING. CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT STOP TO THE SIDE TO INSPECT THE TIRES. NO FLAT TIRES AND CAR SEEMED STRUCTURALLY OK. CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. A RATTLING NOISE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT OVER BUMPS. FINALLY LOOKED BEHIND THE FRONT LEFT T…
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WHILE DRIVING 35~40MPH SUDDEN VERY LOUD POP NOISE. DIDN'T HIT A HOLE OR ANYTHING. CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT STOP TO THE SIDE TO INSPECT THE TIRES. NO FLAT TIRES AND CAR SEEMED STRUCTURALLY OK. CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. A RATTLING NOISE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT OVER BUMPS. FINALLY LOOKED BEHIND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND SAW THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKE IN TWO LOCATIONS. *TR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
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. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: USING A SEAT BELT THAT HAS NOT RETRACTED, AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
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 COVERAGE THAT WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT SAABPARTS.COM/US. Note: In June 2014, GM expanded the special coverage from 10 years to be for the lifetime of the vehicle.
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 SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
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 RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
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.
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 INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD IN A FRONTAL CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
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. THE DEALER MAY NEED TO ORDER A COMPLETE NEW SEAT OR SEATS (INCLUDING MATCHING UPHOLSTERY) AND THE PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO TWO TO FOUR WEEKS TO ARRIVE. SAAB WILL PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR THE OWNER UNTIL THE NEW SEAT(S) IS (ARE) AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
ODI HAS RECEIVED EIGHT COMPLAINTS OF FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS BREAKING ON MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES.A COMMON FAILURE SCENARIO INVOLVES THE DRIVER HEARING A NOISE AND THE BELT SUDDENLY LOSING TENSION.A NON-FUNCTIONING SEAT BELT INCREASES THE RISK AND SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. GENERAL MOTORS INITIATED A RECALL IN MAY 2004 (04V226) TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 25,355 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 5,980 MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS.THE RETRACTORS CONTAINED AN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS), A DESIGN FEATURE AND MECHANISM TO ENHANCE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY REDUCING SHOULDER BELT PRESSURE.INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE CABLE IN THE ATS MECHANISM WAS DAMAGED DURING THE SUPPLIER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS.THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE CABLE BROKE. RECALL 04V226 DID NOT COVER MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 SEDANS MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, AND BEFORE MAY 10, 2004, WHICH INCORPORATED MODIFIED ATS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT THE ATS ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS ON THE POST-RECALL POPULATION IS FAILING PREMATURELY.THIS IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAN THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT LED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL.GENERAL MOTORS NOW WILL RECALL THE BALANCE OF 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDAN DRIVER SEATS WITH THE ATS FEATURE.NOT ALL 2004 9-3 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL.THE RETRACTORS ON 9-3 SEDAN PASSENGER SEATS, DUE TO THEIR LESS FREQUENT USE THAN DRIVERS' SEATS, DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RISK OF PREMATURE FAILURE AS THOSE ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS.SAAB WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTORS FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM.MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 CONVERTIBLES HAVE A DIFFERENT SEAT/SEAT BELT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON AND AFTER MAY 10, 2004, DO NOT HAVE THE ATS FEATURE AND THEREFORE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS PROBLEM.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:front
ODI HAS RECEIVED EIGHT COMPLAINTS OF FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS BREAKING ON MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES.A COMMON FAILURE SCENARIO INVOLVES THE DRIVER HEARING A NOISE AND THE BELT SUDDENLY LOSING TENSION.A NON-FUNCTIONING SEAT BELT INCREASES THE RISK AND SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. GENERAL MOTORS INITIATED A RECALL IN MAY 2004 (04V226) TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 25,355 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 5,980 MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS.THE RETRACTORS CONTAINED AN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS), A DESIGN FEATURE AND MECHANISM TO ENHANCE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY REDUCING SHOULDER BELT PRESSURE.INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE CABLE IN THE ATS MECHANISM WAS DAMAGED DURING THE SUPPLIER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS.THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE CABLE BROKE. RECALL 04V226 DID NOT COVER MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 SEDANS MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, AND BEFORE MAY 10, 2004, WHICH INCORPORATED MODIFIED ATS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT THE ATS ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS ON THE POST-RECALL POPULATION IS FAILING PREMATURELY.THIS IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAN THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT LED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL.GENERAL MOTORS NOW WILL RECALL THE BALANCE OF 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDAN DRIVER SEATS WITH THE ATS FEATURE.NOT ALL 2004 9-3 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL.THE RETRACTORS ON 9-3 SEDAN PASSENGER SEATS, DUE TO THEIR LESS FREQUENT USE THAN DRIVERS' SEATS, DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RISK OF PREMATURE FAILURE AS THOSE ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS.SAAB WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTORS FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM.MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 CONVERTIBLES HAVE A DIFFERENT SEAT/SEAT BELT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON AND AFTER MAY 10, 2004, DO NOT HAVE THE ATS FEATURE AND THEREFORE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS PROBLEM.
Seat Belts:front:retractor
ODI HAS RECEIVED EIGHT COMPLAINTS OF FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS BREAKING ON MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES.A COMMON FAILURE SCENARIO INVOLVES THE DRIVER HEARING A NOISE AND THE BELT SUDDENLY LOSING TENSION.A NON-FUNCTIONING SEAT BELT INCREASES THE RISK AND SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. GENERAL MOTORS INITIATED A RECALL IN MAY 2004 (04V226) TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 25,355 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 5,980 MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS.THE RETRACTORS CONTAINED AN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS), A DESIGN FEATURE AND MECHANISM TO ENHANCE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY REDUCING SHOULDER BELT PRESSURE.INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE CABLE IN THE ATS MECHANISM WAS DAMAGED DURING THE SUPPLIER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS.THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE CABLE BROKE. RECALL 04V226 DID NOT COVER MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 SEDANS MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, AND BEFORE MAY 10, 2004, WHICH INCORPORATED MODIFIED ATS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT THE ATS ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS ON THE POST-RECALL POPULATION IS FAILING PREMATURELY.THIS IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAN THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT LED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL.GENERAL MOTORS NOW WILL RECALL THE BALANCE OF 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDAN DRIVER SEATS WITH THE ATS FEATURE.NOT ALL 2004 9-3 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL.THE RETRACTORS ON 9-3 SEDAN PASSENGER SEATS, DUE TO THEIR LESS FREQUENT USE THAN DRIVERS' SEATS, DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RISK OF PREMATURE FAILURE AS THOSE ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS.SAAB WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTORS FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM.MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 CONVERTIBLES HAVE A DIFFERENT SEAT/SEAT BELT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON AND AFTER MAY 10, 2004, DO NOT HAVE THE ATS FEATURE AND THEREFORE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS PROBLEM.
Seat Belts
ODI HAS RECEIVED EIGHT COMPLAINTS OF FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS BREAKING ON MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES.A COMMON FAILURE SCENARIO INVOLVES THE DRIVER HEARING A NOISE AND THE BELT SUDDENLY LOSING TENSION.A NON-FUNCTIONING SEAT BELT INCREASES THE RISK AND SEVERITY OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. GENERAL MOTORS INITIATED A RECALL IN MAY 2004 (04V226) TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS BECAUSE OF A SIMILAR PROBLEM IN 25,355 MODEL YEAR 2003 AND 5,980 MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS.THE RETRACTORS CONTAINED AN AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS), A DESIGN FEATURE AND MECHANISM TO ENHANCE OCCUPANT COMFORT BY REDUCING SHOULDER BELT PRESSURE.INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT THE CABLE IN THE ATS MECHANISM WAS DAMAGED DURING THE SUPPLIER'S MANUFACTURING PROCESS.THE FAILURES OCCURRED WHEN THE CABLE BROKE. RECALL 04V226 DID NOT COVER MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 SEDANS MANUFACTURED AFTER SEPTEMBER 30, 2004, AND BEFORE MAY 10, 2004, WHICH INCORPORATED MODIFIED ATS MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION FINDS THAT THE ATS ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS ON THE POST-RECALL POPULATION IS FAILING PREMATURELY.THIS IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM THAN THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT LED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL.GENERAL MOTORS NOW WILL RECALL THE BALANCE OF 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDAN DRIVER SEATS WITH THE ATS FEATURE.NOT ALL 2004 9-3 SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL.THE RETRACTORS ON 9-3 SEDAN PASSENGER SEATS, DUE TO THEIR LESS FREQUENT USE THAN DRIVERS' SEATS, DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RISK OF PREMATURE FAILURE AS THOSE ON THE DRIVERS' SEATS.SAAB WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SIDE RETRACTORS FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE PROGRAM.MODEL YEAR 2004 9-3 CONVERTIBLES HAVE A DIFFERENT SEAT/SEAT BELT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION.SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED ON AND AFTER MAY 10, 2004, DO NOT HAVE THE ATS FEATURE AND THEREFORE ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THIS PROBLEM.
EA08026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Dec 22, 2008 · Closed Jun 4, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.The engineering design and testing data supplied by GM, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in general, the coil springs that fractured on many subject vehicles did not achieve the expected service life.However, in regard to the subject vehicles, a front suspension coil spring fracture itself has little safety consequence, as evidenced by the minimal impact on vehicle ride and handling and by the number of drivers who were unaware of the failure condition for some time until alerted by service personnel.The ratio of tire punctures to coil spring fractures appears low and there are no reports of crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor this issue and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See the EA08-026 Engineering Analysis Closing Report for more details.
PE08051 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Aug 28, 2008 · Closed Dec 23, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
ON AUGUST 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-051) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.(NOTE: FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS OF DATA PROVIDED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS LED THE AGENCY TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL MY 2003-2006 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 53 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS AND/OR FIELD REPORTS THAT ALLEGE COIL SPRING FRACTURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING 23 ALLEGING THE FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A TIRE, WITH 16 OF THOSE INVOLVING A TIRE PUNCTURE.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY GM IDENTIFIED 1,218 CLAIMS PAID TO REPAIR SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT, OF WHICH 138 VEHICLES ALSO SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE ADJACENT TIRE AND OF THOSE, 79 VEHICLES EXPERIENCED A TIRE PUNCTURE.ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. GM MADE SEVERAL DESIGN CHANGES TO THE COIL SPRINGS AND/OR MCPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IN AN APPARENT EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.HOWEVER, GM MAINTAINS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES REMAIN WELL CONTROLLED IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PUNCTURE, THAT THE RATE OF TIRE PUNCTURE INCIDENTS RELATED TO COIL SPRING FRACTURES IS LOW, AND THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES NOT POSE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-026) TO FURTHER STUDY THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
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