2004 Saab 9-3

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #14V318000June 12, 201428,789 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: retractor

  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.

  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 recall #10V043000February 18, 201014,126 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: retractor

  General motors is recalling certain model year 2004 Saab 9-3 sedans. Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract.

  Using a seat belt that has not retracted, and in the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the driver side retractor free of charge. If the front passenger retractor were to fail to retract, gm will replace the front passenger retractor free of charge under a special coverage that will be released for the same population for 10 years from new vehicle date of sale. The safety recall is expected to begin during july 2010. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007 or at the owner center at saabparts.com/us. Note: in june 2014, gm expanded the special coverage from 10 years to be for the lifetime of the vehicle.

• NHTSA recall #05V236000May 19, 200568,654 vehicles affected

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

  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.

  If this condition were to occur when minimum stopping distance is required, a crash could occur.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #04V226000May 11, 200431,335 vehicles affected

  seat belts: front: retractor

  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.

  In the event of a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #03V514000December 10, 20031,658 vehicles affected

  seats: front assembly: recliner

  Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." the backrest locking mechanism on some front seats may have been installed incorrectly.

  This could cause the seat back to fold forward in a frontal crash, resulting in injury to the driver and/or front seat passenger.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the vehicle's front seats to determine if they are equipped with the improperly installed component. If either or both of the seats have this component, they will be replaced. The dealer may need to order a complete new seat or seats (including matching upholstery) and the parts may take up to two to four weeks to arrive. Saab will provide a rental car for the owner until the new seat(s) is (are) available and installed by the dealer. Owner notification is expected to begin during february 2004. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

Other model years

• 1999 64
• 2000 50
• 2001 59
• 2002 37
• 2003 212
• 2004
• 2005 95
• 2006 179
• 2007 155
• 2008 184
• 2009 43
• 2010 30
• 2011 30