IllustrationTAKATA RECALL CANT TRUST MY CAR IF I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS
2005 Saab 9-3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Saab 9-3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 61.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 9-3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
120–25K
1825–50K
2250–75K
975–100K
12100–150K
5150K+
78 reports with mileage · 17 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
95 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER STRUT WAS BENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER STRUT WAS BENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 30 MPH I HEAR A BANG! I START TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULLED OVER SAFELY ONCE I GAINED CONTROL WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT MY PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO AND MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS BLOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BA…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 30 MPH I HEAR A BANG! I START TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULLED OVER SAFELY ONCE I GAINED CONTROL WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT MY PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO AND MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS BLOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY INJURED OR KILLED! SAAB YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL THIS IS LIFE THREATENING!
MUCH LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V318000 (GM RECALL NUMBER 14222), THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE BELT IS PULLED OUT. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE BELT WOULD NOT BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE DRIVER TO RETRACT, SINCE IT IS TOO LOOSE.
RECALL 14222/15027. RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT MECHANISM. UPON MAKING SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL GM DEALER THEY STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE A TECHNICIAN TO DO IT. I TRIED CALLING THE 800 NUMBER ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND GOT A RECORDING THAT THE NUMBER WAS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. HOW CAN I FI…
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RECALL 14222/15027. RECEIVED SAFETY RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT MECHANISM. UPON MAKING SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH LOCAL GM DEALER THEY STATED THEY DO NOT HAVE A TECHNICIAN TO DO IT. I TRIED CALLING THE 800 NUMBER ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND GOT A RECORDING THAT THE NUMBER WAS NO LONGER IN SERVICE. HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHO CAN PERFORM THIS RECALL SERVICE?
THE DRIVER SEAT BELT INTERNAL CABLE BROKE. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE IS A RECALL. BUT, THE PARTS ARE BACKORDERED OVER 10 MONTHS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NOTHING I CAN DO. GM HAS NOT PROVIDED A DATE WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
THE RETRACTOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IN MY 2005 SAAB 9-3 AERO CONVERTIBLE BROKE. THIS DEFECT IS ALREADY SUBJECT OF A RECALL BY GM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, THE LOCAL DEALER, AND PARTS DISTRIBUTOR SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ITEM IS ON INDEFINIT…
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THE RETRACTOR FOR THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IN MY 2005 SAAB 9-3 AERO CONVERTIBLE BROKE. THIS DEFECT IS ALREADY SUBJECT OF A RECALL BY GM. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTICE OF THIS RECALL. I HAVE CONTACTED GM, THE LOCAL DEALER, AND PARTS DISTRIBUTOR SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ITEM IS ON INDEFINITE BACK ORDER AND IS UNLIKELY TO BE AVAILABLE ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE. I BELIEVE THIS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISES THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND IS AN ATTEMPT BY GM TO AVOID THE RECALL AND REPAIRING THIS SAFETY DEFECT. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE GM COMPLIES WITH THE RECALL REQUIREMENTS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE AS AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE LOW FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED TO HAVE HALF A TANK FULL OF FUEL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO BRING FUEL AND REFUEL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD PROGRESSED AND THE FUEL GAUGE FLUCTUATES CAUSING THE CONTACT TO BE UNAWARE OF THE ACCURATE FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO SATISFY THE RECALL. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY STILL DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO SATISFY THE RECALL. INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD AN ISSUE WITH RETRACTING THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AFTER USE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE SEAT BELT BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT UPON RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTING. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE SEAT BELT BECAME EXTREMELY TIGHT UPON RELEASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 7/9/15*CN
Official recalls
214V318000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
Jun 12, 2014
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.
05V236000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 19, 2005
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA08026 · 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.