Owners have filed 33 complaints
about the 2011 Saab 9-3 with NHTSA between 2012 and 2021.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 13 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the Saab 9-3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 16
3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 49
29% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
114.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
114.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
228.6%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
342.9%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2011 Saab 9-3 SW 4WD
—
—
—
12.7% risk
2011 Saab 9-3 4 DR 4WD
—
—
—
12.1% risk
2011 Saab 9-3 SW RWD
—
—
—
12.7% risk
2011 Saab 9-3 C FWD
—
—
—
—
2011 Saab 9-3 4 DR RWD
—
—
—
12.1% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2012peak 5Jun 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Saab 9-3
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Recalls on the 2011 Saab 9-3
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
16V063000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
14V318000
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.
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.
11E009000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
11V015000
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: THE SUBJECT FUEL PUMPS CAN SEIZE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201605217,962 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver airbag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and replace the driver airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles.
Recall 2014228961 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain convertible model vehicles, the tensioning cable in the driver's seat belt retractor may break, causing the belt to fail to retract. If a crash were to occur with a seat belt in this condition, it could increase the risk of injury to the driver. Correction: Dealers will replace seat belt retractor assemblies.
Recall 2011029184 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump may seize, which would stop fuel flow to the engine and cause it to stall. Engine stalling would result in lost propulsion which, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver's reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump assembly.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 90,000 milesOAK Ridge, TNCrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING IN A FORWARD, STRAIGHT MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11352234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Burnt Hills, NY
SEAT BELTS
driver side seat belt not retracting, there is a recall but does not include this vin number.
NHTSA complaint #11419150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesOAK Ridge, TNCrash
AIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING IN A FORWARD, STRAIGHT MOTION.
NHTSA complaint #11352234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesEast Wareham, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11326728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesLextington, KY
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND SCREWS WERE MISSING THAT CONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #11151821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #11074242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
SUSPENSION
PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE
NHTSA complaint #11074242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfield, MA
AIR BAGS
LETTER IS RESPONSE TO THE RECALL OF A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG; SEEKING HELP FOR THIS DILEMNA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 16V063. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. UPDATED 06/29/2017
NHTSA complaint #11002290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-955-9007. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE DEALER NEARBY REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO DEALER THAT WAS 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA complaint #11000230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DORSHAL AUTOMOTIVE WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INITIALLY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS BEING SENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STILL WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE LACK OF PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ
NHTSA complaint #10992890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Berkley, MI
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW YET NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. CONSIDERING THE DANGER AND GRAVITY BEHIND THIS KNOWN ISSUE, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY THE PERSONS INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10981017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penfield, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000(AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10956806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stow, MA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE FIXED ON MY CAR. I CHECK EVERY MONTH FOR THE STATUS OF THE RECALL AND EVERY MONTH I SEE NO ACTION. THIS COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE ME OR MY FAMILY. AN UNKNOWN TIME FRAME FOR RESOLUTION ON AN ISSUE KNOWN TO INJURE PEOPLE IS UNACCEPTABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10949633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW York, NY
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I NEED AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS RECALL PRESENTS. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR GETTING A MANUFACTURER BUYOUT ON MY VEHICLE?
NHTSA complaint #10945916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 112,148 milesMedina, OH
AIR BAGS
TAMARA RECALL NO REPLACEMENT YET
NHTSA complaint #10938970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheridan, MT
SEAT BELTS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/21/17*LJ UPDATED 03/01/17.
NHTSA complaint #10937583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sheridan, MT
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/21/17*LJ UPDATED 03/01/17.
NHTSA complaint #10937583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lynn, MA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10934127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Springs, FL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED NOTICE, BY MAIL, OF THE AIRBAG RECALL IN MARCH 2016. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS LATER AND WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10928721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
SEAT BELTS
HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS? THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER. SCOTT
NHTSA complaint #10919701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
AIR BAGS
HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS? THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER. SCOTT
NHTSA complaint #10919701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oceanside, CA
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10919129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlestown, MA
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL - I WAS APPRISED BY MAIL THAT THE AIRBAGS ON MY SAAB 9-3 NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. EIGHT MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THE REMEDY IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. WHY MUST I CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS THAT MAY CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE? WHEN WILL REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS BE AVAILABLE?
NHTSA complaint #10915653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesDekalb, IL
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. SAAB VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AIRBAG, BUT MANUFACTURER IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND PREVIOUS PARENT COMPANY (GM) HAS NOT INDICATED ANY TIMEFRAME FOR FIXING THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THIS CAR IS NOW GOING ON 5 YEARS WITH THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN PLACE. WHAT CAN BE DONE?
NHTSA complaint #10910891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Orion, MI
AIR BAGS
2011 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 16V-063. *SMD
NHTSA complaint #10903995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Castle, PA
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10904294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.