Model year record

1999 SAAB 9-3

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 80 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V362000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
424
Reported to NHTSA
1999-12-29
Owners notified
2000-01-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."

Safety risk

WITHOUT THIS LABEL, SOMEONE MAY USE THE INCORRECT SPECIFICATION BRAKE FLUID, GET DIRT INTO THE RESERVOIR, OR ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V246000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
5,132
Reported to NHTSA
1999-09-13
Owners notified
1999-10-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED.

Safety risk

SINCE THE ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE LAP PORTION OF THE FRONT SAFETY BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, RELEASE OF THE FORE/AFT LOCKING MECHANISM REDUCES THE RESTRAINT CAPABILITY OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V139000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
39,313
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-23
Owners notified
1998-09-01

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags10150,815 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1064,830 mi
Air bags: frontal7122,000 mi
Electrical system5128,800 mi
Electrical system: ignition4102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling435,000 mi
Suspension4
Seat belts3121,000 mi
Tires3
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element314,900 mi
Wheels: rim3
Seats2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers168,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1100,788 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner162,000 mi
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump168,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train1
Power train: automatic transmission162,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1100,788 mi
Seat belts: rear/other: buckle assembly1122,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler179,480 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic162,000 mi
Steering1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Suspension: front148,143 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system135,000 mi

The 2000 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.