There are 5 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-3in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT, THE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF SAAB VEHICLES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY RELATED TO 2004-2011 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAYORS SAAB (6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, (718) 274-2300) AND JIM ELLIS AUDI OF MARIETTA (1715 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060-9253, 770-590-4450) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
THE DRIVER SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. MR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RINGING IN THE EARS AND SOME APPARENT HEARING LOSS WHICH NOW HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE PERMANENT. ALSO, THE LUMBAR IN THE DRIVER SEAT SEEMS TO BE TOO HIGH. *JG
THE DRIVERS SEAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT IS COCKED IN A MANNER THAT FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT AT AN ANGLE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SEAT BACK AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT ALMOST ACROSS THE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS UNEVEN AND ONLY SUPORTS THE LEFT SIDE. THIS FURTHER ADDS TO THE "TWIST" THAT THE DRIVER HAS TO ENDURE IN ORDER TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE COMPANY TECH REP TOLD ME THE SOLUTION IS TO NOT USE THE LUMBAR FUNCTION. ALSO THE SEAT BOTTOM SEEMS TO COLLAPSE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN TURNING OR CORNERING TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL MANY TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON OFF-RAMPS AND WHEN TAKING EVASIVE ACTIONS. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ADD MY OWN PADDING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF I AM IN A COLLISION. THE COMPANY AND THE DEALER SEEM UMWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS CREATING BACK AND HIP PROBLEMS FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR IN THE LEAST, CONTRIBUTE TO ADDITIONAL INJURIES IF I AM IN AND ACCIDENT. I CHOSE THIS CAR FOR IT'S SAFETY RECORD WHICH SEEMS SOMEWHAT IRONIC.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026