Saab · 9-3 · 2009
3
Recalls
43
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2009 Saab 9-3 has 3 recalls and 43 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: air bags (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Remedy Status
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 CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
MY 2009 SAAB 9-3 STARTED AND RAN FINE ON THE WAY TO WORK, BUT AT LUNCH IT STARTED FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AND SHUT OFF. THE CAR CRANKS, BUT IS AUDIBLY TOO FREE SPINNING. A LOCAL SHOP SAID COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE WAS VERY LOW, AND AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR HAS THE INFAMOUS "SOFT INTAKE VALVES" PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PLAGUE FOR THESE CARS FOR MODEL YEARS 07-11. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITH THE CORRECT GM SPEC OIL. I WOULD THINK AN ENGINE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS.
MISFIRES WHEN COLD, RESULTING IN ROUGH LOW IDLE SPEED AND POSSIBLE STALLING AFTER COLD START.
MY CAR HAS FALLEN VICTIM TO THE SOFT INTAKE VALVE ISSUE. MY CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, IT RAN PERFECTLY WELL THE NIGHT BEFORE. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE IT ON CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING 12/24/2017 BUT IT WOULD NOT START. I THEN HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL SAAB MECHANIC, AUTOMOTION IN BILLERICA, MA- THE OWNER SAID THIS IS A WELL KNOWN ISSUE HE HAS SEEN ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS; HE SAID HE SAW IT SO MANY TIMES HE PURCHASED NEW EQUIPMENT TO BE PREPARED FOR THE VOLUME OF CUSTOMERS. THIS IS BEING WELL DOCUMENTED AT THE SAABCENTRAL FORUM FOUND AT WWW.SAABCENTRAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=329066 MY 2009 9-3 IS ABOUT TO HIT 70,000 MILES; MECHANIC IS CURRENTLY WORKING TO FIX THE INTAKE VALVE ISSUE AT A COST OF $2,245.00 PLUS TAX. THERE ARE 35 PAGES OF DOCUMENTED INSTANCES AT SAABCENTRAL. IT ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED WHETHER OR NOT GM ALLOWED THESE FAULTY ENGINES TO BE IN PRODUCTION AND SOLD TO CUSTOMERS. IT HAS BEEN STATED THAT GM ALLOWED SOFT, NON-HEAT HARDENED INTAKE VALVES TO BE USED; THESE INTAKE VALVES WILL DEFORM OVERTIME AND LEAD TO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER NOT HAVING A PERFECT SEAL.
I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 SAAB 9-3 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ROUGH RUNNING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. WHEN I START MY CAR UP IN THE MORNING IT RUNS VERY ROUGH. IHAVE GOTTEN IT DIAGNOSED AND IT IS MISFIRING DRAMATICALLY LIKE 6000 ON ONE CYLINDER AND 1081 ON ANOTHER . I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, SEVERAL TIMES, AS HAVING BAD INTAKE VALVES. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE COME TO FIND THIS IS A RATHER COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR QUOTED AT OVER $2500.00. I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH MANUFACTURER RECALLS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT IN ORDER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THERE IS ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!
TAKATA RECALL I WAS INFORMED IN A LETTER THAT GM IS WORKING ON AIRBAG RECALL FOR MY CAR. IT STATED THAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT MY AIRBAG CAN EXPLODE AND I MAY DIE. THEY ALSO SAID THAT IN ANOTHER LETTER THEY WILL SPECIFY WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART IS AVAILABLE. IT HAS BEEN A WHILE AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK SO I DECIDED TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH. AFTER CALLING LOCAL CADILLAC DEALER HERE IN NASHVILLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE ONLY PLACE IN TENNESSEE THAT STILL DOES SAAB WARRANTY WORK IN IN MEMPHIS. AFTER CALLING THAT DEALERSHIP, THEY SAID THAT THE PARTS HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE FOR A WHILE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER SINCE MY LIFE CAN BE AT DANGER EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. I FEEL LIKE GM IS ACTING NEGLIGENT IN THIS CASE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DO NOT PRODUCE SAABS ANYMORE, BUT THEY SHOULD STILL DO THEIR BEST TO SUPPORT THE PRODUCT THAT THEY HAVE PRODUCED.
I WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN 2016, BUT TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN I GOT THE NOTICE EARLY THIS YEAR THAT PARTS AVAILABLE, I CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE. ON ONE OCCASION I SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK BUT NEVER DID, AND WHO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE THE TAMARA AIRBAG (WHICH IT APPEARS IT DOES), AND THAT NOTHING HAD HAPPENED WITH ANY SAAB. HE WAS VERY DISMISSIVE OF THE RISK.
TAKATA RECALL - MY COMPLAINT IS THAT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAS HAPPENED, AND THAT THE STATUS OF THE RECALL ISSUED APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO IS: "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE". PEOPLE ARE STILL DYING OUT THERE BECAUSE TAKATA HAS NOT YET SOLVED THIS PROBLEM. THOSE OF US WHO OWN VEHICLES THAT ARE UNDER THIS RECALL CAN'T JUST STOP DRIVING THEM WHILE WE WAIT FOR THIS PART TO BECOME AVAILABLE. SO, INSTEAD, WE EXPOSE OURSELVES TO RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH FROM AN AIR BAG THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT US IN A CRASH. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
IT IS PUBLIC INFORMATION THAT TAKATA'S AIRBAGS CARRY A VERY HIGH RISK SINCE THE INFLATOR PROPELLANT DEGRADES TO THE POINT OF BRAKING THE STEEL HOUSING AND THROWING IT TO THE OCCUPANT CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES OR DEATH. IN SPITE OF ALL THESE FACTS, THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT INITIATED A RECALL AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ANSWERS AFTER SEVERAL CALLS TO THEIR CUSTOMER OFFICE. MY VEHICLE HAS A TAKATA AIRBAG ACCORDING TO NHTSA'S DATABASE, THE INFLATOR MUST BE REPLACED.
TAKATA RECALL I HAVE BEEN AWARE OF MY VEHICLE'S RECALL FOR GREATER THAN 6 MONTHS AND MY MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PRESENTED A SAFE SOLUTION.
TAKATA RECALL - IT HAS BEEN OVER SIX MONTHS SINCE THIS RECALL WAS ISSUED, AND THE PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE TO FIX A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING CONDITION. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT MAY KILL ME IF I AM INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN WILL THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAGS BE AVAILABLE? WHY IS THE MANUFACTURER NOT MANDATED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHIN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME? I PERSONALLY THINK THAT SIX MONTHS IS MORE THAN SUFFICIENT TIME TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RECTIFIED.
TAKATA RECALL: GM ANNOUNCED THIS RECALL 6 MONTHS AGO. STILL NO REMEDY AND NO COMMUNICATION. MY CHILDREN ARE ABOUT TO START LEARNING TO DRIVE - I DON'T WANT TO RISK THEIR LIVES BY ALLOWING THEM TO DRIVE THE SAAB - I NEED A NEW AIRBAG. SORRY IF THIS IS THE WRONG FORM - I FOLLOWED THE SAFER LINKS.
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN MAY 2016. THERE HAS BEEN NO FOLLOW-UP OR FIX AVAILABLE TO THIS DATE. THIS IS A DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAG RECALL. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR UNTIL THIS IS FIXED. I LIVE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS WHERE IT IS HOT AND HUMID MUCH OF THE YEAR. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT INCREASES THE DANGER RELATED TO THIS RECALL.
TAKATA RECALL--IT'S BEEN 5 MONTHS SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, BUT I'VE RECEIVED NO FURTHER WORD. SAAB'S ARE NO LONGER BEING MANUFACTURED AND SOLD AS NEW CARS, AND THEREFORE I EXPECT I'M AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST. BUT I JUST PUT A GREAT DEAL OF MAINTENANCE INTO THE CAR, IT HAS 60,000 MILES AND I'M NOT IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR. HOWEVER, I'M TERRIFIED TO TAKE A PASSENGER OR DRIVE THE CAR MYSELF. WHEN I WANT TO KNOW WILL MY CINCINNATI OR COLUMBUS, OH DEALER HAVE A NEW AIRBAG TO INSTALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V338000 (AIR BAGS) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE TIME FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/05/16*LJ *TR
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TAKATA RECALL--IT'S BEEN 9 MONTHS SINCE I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, AND CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER. BUT I'VE RECEIVED NO FURTHER WORD. I LOVE THIS CAR, HOWEVER, I AM VERY CONCERN, SINCE MY WIFE USES THIS CAR EVER DAY TO GO TO WORK. IF, GOD FORBID, SOMEONE HITS THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG IMPLODES AND SHE IS INJURED OR DIES, YOU WILL BE SUED. WHEN IS THE PROBLEM GOING TO BE FIXED? VERY CONCERN OWNER AND HUSBAND!!!!!
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2009 Saab 9-3 has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 43 owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Saab 9-3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2009 Saab 9-3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2009 Saab 9-3 are air bags (17 reports), engine (11 reports), fuel/propulsion system (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2009 Saab 9-3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.