2009 Saab 9-3 recalls
Air Bags · NHTSA 16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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…
113,716 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Seat Belts · NHTSA 14V318000 · Jun 12, 2014
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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…
28,789 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: Ti automotive is recalling certain fuel pumps, part numbers tu456 and tu303, sold under various brand names as aftermarket and replacement equipment for the motor vehicles listed above. The defective fuel pump may seize, stopping the fuel flow to the engine creating a stalling condition.
Risk: A vehicle crash could occur should the engine stall while in use.
Fix: Ti automotive will notify owners of record and will replace any defective fuel pump with a new or reworked fuel pump free of charge. The safety recall began on february 22, 2011. Owners may contact ti automotive at 1-866-867-3759 or log on to www.recallresponse.com.
4,887 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Engine · Mar 14, 2019 · 78,000 miles · IN
My 2009 saab 9-3 started and ran fine on the way to work, but at lunch it started for a couple seconds and shut off. The car cranks, but is audibly too free spinning. A local shop said compression in the engine was very low, and after multiple calls it seems that my car has the infamous "soft intake valves" problem that has been a widespread plague for these cars for model…
Engine · Mar 5, 2018 · 71,000 miles · GA
Misfires when cold, resulting in rough low idle speed and possible stalling after cold start.
Engine · Jan 5, 2018 · 70,000 miles · MA
My car has fallen victim to the soft intake valve issue. My car was parked in my driveway, it ran perfectly well the night before. I attempted to move it on christmas eve morning 12/24/2017 but it would not start. I then had it towed to my local saab mechanic, automotion in billerica, ma- the owner said this is a well known issue he has seen on a number of occasions; he said…
Engine · Dec 6, 2017 · 80,000 miles · OH
The intake valves are worn on the engine this started around 80,000 miles and has progressively gotten worse. The car will not start on very cold days. If it does, it idles very rough and hard. Date below is an estimate of when this started.
Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 13, 2017 · 80,000 miles · OH
I have owned my 2008 saab 9-3 for about a year now and I have had an ongoing rough running issue that seems to be getting worse. When I start my car up in the morning it runs very rough. Ihave gotten it diagnosed and it is misfiring dramatically like 6000 on one cylinder and 1081 on another . I have done some research and had this problem diagnosed, several times, as having…
Air Bags · Jun 26, 2017 · FL
I was first notified of the recall in 2016, but told that the replacement parts not available. When I got the notice early this year that parts available, I called the authorized dealer several times and never got a response. On one occasion I spoke to someone who said he would call me back but never did, and who told me that my car doesn't have the tamara airbag (which it…
Air Bags · Apr 20, 2017 · TN
Takata recall I was informed in a letter that GM is working on airbag recall for my car. It stated that in case of an accident my airbag can explode and I may die. They also said that in another letter they will specify when the replacement part is available. It has been a while and I have not heard anything back so I decided to do my own research. After calling local cadillac…
Air Bags · Jan 20, 2017 · NH
Takata recall - my complaint is that absolutely nothing has happened, and that the status of the recall issued approximately one year ago is: "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available". People are still dying out there because takata has not yet solved this problem. Those of US who own vehicles that are under this recall can't just stop driving them while we wait for this…
Air Bags · Jan 19, 2017 · TX
Takata recall. I was notified of the recall in may 2016. There has been no follow-up or fix available to this date. This is a driver-side airbag recall. I cannot safely drive my car until this is fixed. I live in austin, texas where it is hot and humid much of the year. This is an important factor that increases the danger related to this recall.
Air Bags · Dec 14, 2016 · FL
Takata recall--it's been 9 months since I was notified of the recall, and called my local dealer. But I've received no further word. I love this car, however, I am very concern, since my wife uses this car ever day to go to work. If, god forbid, someone hits the car and the air bag implodes and she is injured or dies, you will be sued. When is the problem going to be fixed?…
Air Bags · Nov 16, 2016 · 140,000 miles · FL
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.…
Air Bags · Oct 3, 2016 · MI
It is public information that takata's airbags carry a very high risk since the inflator propellant degrades to the point of braking the steel housing and throwing it to the occupant causing severe injuries or death. In spite of all these facts, the manufacturer has not initiated a recall and does not provide answers after several calls to their customer office. My vehicle has…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2009 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2009 Saab 9-3, the most recent one (16V063000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Saab 9-3?
Based on 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are air bags (17), engine (12), fuel/propulsion system (4).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2009 Saab 9-3?
Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2009 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently EA21002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture.