Model year record

2005 SAAB 9-3

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 114 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V318000

Seat belts: front: retractor

Component
Seat belts: front: retractor
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
28,789
Reported to NHTSA
2014-06-12
Owners notified
2015-10-06

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts2095,000 mi
Suspension: front1553,000 mi
Suspension1470,000 mi
Air bags108,500 mi
Electrical system912,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system586,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)337,428 mi
Engine and engine cooling332,100 mi
Fuel system, gasoline369,000 mi
Vehicle speed control360,000 mi
Air bags: frontal216,000 mi
Exterior lighting21,000 mi
Seats2110,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads228,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic247,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs244,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine15,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility130,781 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery15,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors15,000 mi
Power train169,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission141,700 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly154,000 mi
Seat belts: front129,612 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly120,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust11,160 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner111,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings16,500 mi
Steering112,000 mi
Structure170,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs182,000 mi
Unknown or other1
Visibility: power window devices and controls140,500 mi

The 2004 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2006 model has about half 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.