Saab · 9-3 · 2000
2
Recalls
50
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2000 Saab 9-3 has 2 recalls and 50 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: electrical system (19 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2000 Saab 9-3 page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is electrical system with 19 reported complaints.
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. 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 1-800-955-9007.
The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then BLAM! Temperature was m...
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IN NEUTRAL PARKED IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT / INTERSECTION WAITING FOR GREEN, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED/ EXPLODED CAUSING INJURY AND BRUISING TO LEFT ARM.
I GOT INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE AS NORMAL, CLOSED THE DOOR AND FASTENED MY SEATBELT. I THEN DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. AS I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF H...
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WHILE PARKED AND WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY REAR IMPACT OR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
I WAS RETURNING FROM THREE DAYS OF AIR TRAVEL AND REACHED MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN A SECURE CORPORATE AIRPORT PARKING LOT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND IT. I PLACED MY LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK, ENTERED THE CAR AND PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. I STARTED THE CAR; IT STARTED NORMALLY WITH NO WARN...
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SIDE AIRBAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE (LOCATED IN OUTSIDE EDGE OF DRIVER'S SEAT) DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RUNNING. THIS WAS CLEARLY A MALFUNCTION -- THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL EVENT OR DAMAGE THAT WOULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT BRUISING TO DRIVER'S LEFT ARM, TEMPORAR...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING PROPERLY SECURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT SINCE IT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO CONNECT TO THE LATCH BECAUSE OF THE FAILU...
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION ...
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND MY PASSENGERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS EJECTED FROM THE DOOR. I HAD NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. *TR
Showing 10 recent complaints from 50 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2000 Saab models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2000 Saab 9-3 has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 50 owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Saab 9-3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2000 Saab 9-3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2000 Saab 9-3 are electrical system (19 reports), air bags (8 reports), engine and engine cooling (5 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2000 Saab 9-3. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.