Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 SAAB 9-3

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 323 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V087000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
94,377
Reported to NHTSA
2007-03-07
Owners notified
2007-06-13

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Safety risk

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V236000

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
68,654
Reported to NHTSA
2005-05-19
Owners notified
2006-03-17

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V540000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
12,249
Reported to NHTSA
2004-10-20
Owners notified
2004-01-15

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.

Safety risk

IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V226000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
31,335
Reported to NHTSA
2004-05-11
Owners notified
2005-01-24

Defect description

SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system3662,000 mi
Suspension: front2771,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2335,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1515,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine145,200 mi
Air bags1291,000 mi
Steering1171,810 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs841,431 mi
Engine7106,145 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights733,000 mi
Parking brake712,000 mi
Seat belts732,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic735,000 mi
Tires733,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline573,000 mi
Power train5107,000 mi
Suspension570,000 mi
Vehicle speed control538,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood434,500 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly410,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition332,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.365,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump36,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap310,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor349,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device332,000 mi
Suspension: rear35,500 mi
Unknown or other332,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls315,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module2163 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module260,200 mi
Electrical system: wiring233,000 mi
Equipment210,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner246,150 mi
Equipment: electrical2—
Exterior lighting215,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings221,460 mi
Fuel/propulsion system292,000 mi
Seats2131,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler272,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip228,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads216,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor216,000 mi
Steering: column29,000 mi
Steering: electric power assist system260,017 mi
Structure215,000 mi
Structure: body240,000 mi
Structure: body: door232,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid2—
Air bags: side/window170,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel160,017 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1118,000 mi
Electrical system: horn133,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch132,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)192,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system13,650 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline111,933 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)146,200 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch110,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch160 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal160,558 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system132,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly121,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting152,000 mi
Fuel system, other1200 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system18,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch113,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly110,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly115,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly132,000 mi
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1—
Service brakes, air: antilock1—
Service brakes, air: disc132,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings190,108 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system157,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields110,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar183,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Tires: sidewall114,200 mi
Tires: tread/belt112,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control150,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Wheels194,304 mi
Wheels: hub1—

The 2002 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many 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.