NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 Saab 9-3 Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 Saab 9-3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 64 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saab dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 Saab 9-3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1999 Saab 9-3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Saab 9-3, describing incidents dated March 27, 1999 to February 28, 2021.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 22 complaints
Air Bags 17 complaints
Engine 5 complaints
Seat Belts 4 complaints
Suspension 4 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints

Of the 64 complaints on file, 5 report a crash; across all 64 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11398304 · Filed February 28, 2021
TODAY, SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN MOTION, AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND ITS SEAT BELT WAS…
ODI #11112450 · Filed July 19, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CRASHED OR DRIVEN OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT ARM…
ODI #11104635 · Filed June 29, 2018
JUST AS I PARKED MY CAR, MY SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE/LEFT EAR AND NECK WERE INJURED.

Read all 64 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1999 Saab 9-3 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE05-017: ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed September 23, 2005
- Recall 05V-399
- Recall 06V-410

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

SAAB/FMVSS 135/BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL

NHTSA #99V362000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 1999 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 424 vehicles

Saab campaign 718 · Owners notified January 30, 2000 · Vehicles built December 15, 1998 – July 16, 1999 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 718.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 30, 2000.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SAAB/MANUAL SEATS

NHTSA #99V246000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported September 13, 1999 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 5,132 vehicles

Saab campaign 710 · Owners notified October 15, 1999 · Vehicles built March 4, 1998 – October 17, 1998 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 710. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 15, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-770-279-0100.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SAAB/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #98V139000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 1998 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 39,313 vehicles

Owners notified September 1, 1998 · Vehicles built January 22, 1998 – June 10, 1998 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATIONBEGAN SEPTEMBER 1,1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE ALERT LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONBLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 Saab 9-3. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

64 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 Saab 9-3.

Air Bags

ODI #11398304

1 injury

Incident: February 28, 2021 · Filed: February 28, 2021

TODAY, SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN MOTION, AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND ITS SEAT BELT WAS UNFASTENED, HOWEVER A LAPTOP AND SOME OTHER LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.

Air Bags

ODI #11112450

1 injury

Incident: July 15, 2018 · Filed: July 19, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CRASHED OR DRIVEN OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER, AND TORSO, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TT

Air Bags

ODI #11104635

1 injury

Incident: June 28, 2018 · Filed: June 29, 2018

JUST AS I PARKED MY CAR, MY SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE/LEFT EAR AND NECK WERE INJURED.

Air Bags

ODI #11022426

1 injury

Incident: June 10, 2017 · Filed: September 9, 2017

WHILE PARKED, I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. MY PASSENGER SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED UPON ENGINE STARTING. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, TINNITUS, AND INNER EAR DAMAGE FROM THE AIRBAG EXPLODING. TOOK CAR TO A GM DEALERSHIP WITH A SAAB TECHNICIAN TO HAVE CAR DIAGNOSED TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO DIAGNOSIS MADE. BUT THEY DID READ ERROR CODE SAYING AIRBAG SENSOR COMMUNICATION FAILURE AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO SERVICE CODES PRIOR TO INCIDENT EITHER. (I HAD CAR CHECKED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT)

Air Bags

ODI #10992668

Incident: June 1, 2017 · Filed: June 1, 2017

CAR WAS SITTING IDLING AT KERBSIDE WHILE DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN. I WAS TALKING TO MY CHILD WHO WAS JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR. PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF WITH NO IMPACTS PREVIOUS IMPACTS OR ANY MOVEMENT OTHER THAN ONE MINUTE PREVIOUS THE SEAT WAS TILTED FORWARD AND THEN BACK TO LET KIDS OUT OF BACKSEAT. THIS WAS SECONDS AND INCHES AWAY FROM RESULTING IN A DEATH.

Air Bags; Seat Belts

ODI #10660042

1 injury

Incident: July 23, 2014 · Filed: November 21, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

Seat Belts

ODI #10610676

Incident: July 7, 2014 · Filed: July 15, 2014

DRIVERS SEAT BELT STUCK IN RETRACTED POSITION. UNABLE TO USE STUCK BELT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT OF THIS. NO SEATBELT OR AIRBAG. THIS IS A CONVERTIBLE NOT COVERED IN THE CURRENT RECALL BUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Seat Belts

ODI #10607049

Incident: June 23, 2014 · Filed: June 30, 2014

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SINCE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS IS DANGEROUS, THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10546101

Incident: September 29, 2013 · Filed: September 29, 2013

GOT INTO MY CAR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND THEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR WAS PARKED, THE AIRBAG JUST WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10444102

Incident: August 15, 2007 · Filed: January 17, 2012

PREMATURE DIC FAILURE. CONSISTANTLY BURNS OUT SPARK PLUGS. *TR

Other Saab 9-3 model years

Check your 1999 Saab 9-3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saab 9-3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Saab VIN