NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 Saab 9-3 Recalls & Complaints

The 2003 Saab 9-3 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 212 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 2003 Saab 9-3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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

2003 Saab 9-3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3, describing incidents dated April 29, 2002 to November 20, 2020.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 46 complaints
Suspension 42 complaints
Engine 39 complaints
Power Train 32 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 20 complaints
Steering 18 complaints

Of the 212 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 212 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11389024 · Filed January 20, 2021
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE TO THE NEARBY PUBLIX SUPERMARKET. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. I PARKED IT IN THE LOT WITH THE TOP DOWN AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. IT WAS A WARM DRY DAY IN FLORIDA ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CAME OUT AND PUT THE KEY…
ODI #11297754 · Filed January 7, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANUALLY TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LEFT TO RIGHT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…
ODI #11208331 · Filed May 17, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT WILL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

Read all 212 complaints

Owner-reported

2003 Saab 9-3 mileage at failure

167 of the 212 complaints on file for the 2003 Saab 9-3 give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 60,000 miles	Middle half 18,000–85,000 miles	Based on 38 complaints
Suspension	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–80,000 miles	Based on 36 complaints
Engine	Median 15,000 miles	Middle half 5,000–75,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 Saab 9-3 in 4 investigations. 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.

Engineering Analysis EA08-026: Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Closed June 4, 2010
Preliminary Evaluation PE08-051: FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
Closed December 23, 2008
Engineering Analysis EA04-008: ENGINE STALL
Closed October 27, 2004
Preliminary Evaluation PE03-059: ENGINE STALL
Closed March 19, 2004

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS

NHTSA #11E009000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported February 28, 2011 · TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,887 vehicles

Owners notified February 22, 2011

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL PUMP

NHTSA #07V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2007 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 94,377 vehicles

Saab campaign 07052 · Owners notified June 13, 2007 · Vehicles built May 1, 2002 – May 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 07052 (15018, 06033). CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE

NHTSA #05V236000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2005 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 68,654 vehicles

Saab campaign 15019 / 05057 · Owners notified March 17, 2006 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 15019 (GM RECALL NO. 05057).CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236.

SAAB/STALLING

NHTSA #04V540000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported October 20, 2004 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 12,249 vehicles

Saab campaign CSC15419 · Owners notified January 15, 2004

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Notes

GM/SAAB CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NO. CSC 15419.THIS ACTION IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN AND IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED UNDER THE SAFETY ACT.

SAAB/SEAT BELT RETRACTORS

NHTSA #04V226000 · Seat Belts — Front — Retractor · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2004 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 31,335 vehicles

Saab campaign 15017 · Owners notified January 24, 2005 · Vehicles built July 1, 2002 – June 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

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 consequence

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.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 15017. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2003 Saab 9-3 w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

4 investigations

2003 Saab 9-3 Covertible w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

4 investigations

212 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Saab 9-3.

Air Bags

ODI #11389024

Incident: November 20, 2020 · Filed: January 20, 2021

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE TO THE NEARBY PUBLIX SUPERMARKET. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. I PARKED IT IN THE LOT WITH THE TOP DOWN AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. IT WAS A WARM DRY DAY IN FLORIDA ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CAME OUT AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO START THE CAR, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM FACILITY AND INSPECTED IT, AND THEN CAME BACK A WEEK LATER AND SAID THE UNEXPLAINED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I FIND THAT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY ARBITRARILY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED.

Steering

ODI #11297754

Incident: November 20, 2019 · Filed: January 7, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANUALLY TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LEFT TO RIGHT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLIKKEMA SAAB (2424 176TH ST, LANSING, IL 60438 (708) 474-19330) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COLUMN INTEGRATED MODULE (CIM) NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine

ODI #11208331

Incident: May 17, 2019 · Filed: May 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT WILL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Power Train

ODI #11156781

Incident: October 15, 2018 · Filed: December 7, 2018

ECU IN CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY FRIED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS MOUNTED FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE OF HEAT SOAK

Electrical System

ODI #11128082

Incident: September 3, 2018 · Filed: September 7, 2018

I AM RECEIVING AN ONSTAR NOT AVAILABLE ERROR - THERE WAS A RECALL 08089-B PART # 10027804 - I WANT MY ONSTAR DISABLED. WHO DO I CONTACT?

Air Bags

ODI #11103343

1 injury

Incident: June 22, 2018 · Filed: June 22, 2018

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THIS MORNING.

Air Bags

ODI #11054310

Incident: March 1, 2016 · Filed: January 3, 2018

2003 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

Air Bags

ODI #10995688

Crash 1 injury

Incident: May 28, 2017 · Filed: June 17, 2017

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH TRYING TO ENTER HWY I-75. UPON ROUTINE BRAKING,THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.AFTER I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,THE SECOND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I AM HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALLED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND TAKEN AWAY.

Air Bags

ODI #10899863

Incident: March 1, 2016 · Filed: August 31, 2016

TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED BY SAAB IN MARCH 2016 THAT I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL. IT IS NOW SIX (6) MONTHS SINCE THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM SAAB. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL SHOULD TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE I GET KILLED FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATING. SIX MONTHS SHOULD BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I ASK THAT SAAB BE COMPELLED TO IMMEDIATELY MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS!

Steering; Suspension

ODI #10896212

Crash 2 injuries

Incident: March 22, 2016 · Filed: August 16, 2016

HIT CONCRETE WALL

Other Saab 9-3 model years

Check your 2003 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