Saab 9-3 Recalls (2010-2011)
The Saab 9-3 has been the subject of 3 recall campaigns on record with NHTSA across the 2010 to 2011 model years. They cluster mostly around the air bags, seat belts, and fuel system.
The Saab 9-3 scores 38 out of 100 (grade D), a busier recall record than most. That score reflects how serious the recalls are rather than how many. 100% involve a critical safety system, none carried a do-not-drive warning, and 0% were issued in the last three years. How the score works.
Those 3 campaigns span 2 model years of the Saab 9-3. The single largest affected 113,716 vehicles, over air bags. A recall repair is free at a franchised dealer and most never expire, so an older open recall is still worth fixing. Beyond recalls, you can also see the most common 9-3 problems owners report.
The full record is below, grouped first by model year and then listed in detail. Each entry gives the defect NHTSA describes, the safety risk it creates, the manufacturer's remedy, the number of vehicles in that campaign, and the dates. A recall covers a whole production run, so a campaign listed for the Saab 9-3 may not apply to your exact vehicle, and one you have already had repaired will still appear in the history. To see what is actually open and unfixed on a specific car, check its 17-digit VIN.
Saab 9-3 recalls by model year
Recall activity by model year. Select a year to jump to its recalls below. Older years often carry more recalls simply because defects surface over time.
Saab 9-3 recalls by affected system
Which vehicle systems the recalls touch, using NHTSA's component groups. Select a system to see how it is recalled across every make and model.
Recalls by model year
2011 Saab 9-3 Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2011 Saab 9-3, involving the air bags, seat belts, and fuel system.
2010 Saab 9-3 Recalls
3 recalls affect the 2010 Saab 9-3, involving the air bags, seat belts, and fuel system.
Every Saab 9-3 recall in detail
Air Bags
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Saab 9-3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 113,716
- Reported
- Feb 3, 2016
- Owners notified
- Mar 1, 2017
Defect: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 16V063000.
Seat Belts
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Saab 9-3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 28,789
- Reported
- Jun 12, 2014
- Owners notified
- Oct 6, 2015
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
NHTSA campaign number 14V318000.
Fuel System
- Affected years
- 2010-2011 Saab 9-3
- Vehicles in this recall
- 4,400
- Reported
- Jan 19, 2011
- Owners notified
- Mar 3, 2011
Defect: SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: THE SUBJECT FUEL PUMPS CAN SEIZE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SAAB WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign number 11V015000.
Common questions about Saab 9-3 recalls
- Does the Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA has 3 recall campaigns on record for the Saab 9-3 across the 2010 to 2011 model years. The most common areas are the air bags, seat belts, and fuel system.
- How many times has the Saab 9-3 been recalled?
- The Saab 9-3 has 3 recall campaigns from the 2010 to 2011 model years. A single campaign often covers several model years at once, so the number of recalls is not the same as the number of years affected.
- What is the most serious Saab 9-3 recall?
- The most serious recall on record involves the air bags, affecting 113,716 vehicles. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Which Saab 9-3 model year has the most recalls?
- The 2010 Saab 9-3 has the most, with 3 recall campaigns on record. Older model years often pick up more recalls over time, since defects can surface years after a car is built.
- How do I check if my Saab 9-3 has an open recall?
- Enter your 17-digit VIN on the recall check page. It returns the recalls tied to your exact vehicle straight from NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer, with no expiration on most safety recalls.
Recall data comes from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. For how it is sourced and how the safety score is built, see the methodology and data sources. This page is a reference, not legal or safety advice.