Saab · 9-3 · 2005
3
Recalls
95
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Saab 9-3 has 3 recalls and 95 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: suspension (28 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V318000 (Seat Belts). The vehicle was not repaired. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE.. WHILE DRIVING THE GAS GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS IL JUST REV THERE BE A CUT OFF DUE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN WHICH IT'S A COMMON IN ALL SAABS I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BECOME A RECALL. IT'S DANGEROUS THE CUT OFF IS AROUND 2-3 SECONDS. I ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LOST OF POWER. I WAS ENTERING THE FREE WAY AND AN 18 WHEELER HAD TO SWITCH LANES AND PASSED I WAS GOING AROUND 45 MPH MERGING . THE SECOND TIME I WAS GOING 25 MPH AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE SHUT OF AND GATHER SPEED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBE. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS ISSUES BUT THEIR NOT PARTS TO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE BUT IF YOU TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THEYL CHARGE YOU RIDICULOUS FOR LABOR ALMOST $1200 JUST IN CHANGING THE DRIVE BELT?
ALTORNATOR KEEP MALFUNCTIONING HAPPEND MULTIPLE TIME
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW SMOKE COMING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED FIRE WAS COMING FROM A FUEL LEAK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED A BYSTANDER CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER FLIKKEMA SAAB LOCATED AT 2424 176TH ST, LANSING, IL 60438, (708) 474-1933, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *DT *JB
NHTSA 14V318000 WAS A RECALL FOR SEAT BELTS THAT FAILS TO RETRACT. WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR AND PULL IT OUT TO FASTEN IT OFTEN REMAINS SLACK. THAT EVENT CAUSED ME TO DO RESEARCH AND FIND THE RECALL. BUT IT DID NOT EXTEND TO MY CAR WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE RECALL WAS TOO NARROW.
MY CAR WON'T START AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHY DUE TO THERE NOT BEING ANY SAAB DEALERS NEAR THE AREA I'M STUCK IN... I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUT OF MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS CUZ I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY CAR
POWER SEAT TRACKS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SLIDE BACK AND FORTH SUCH THAT WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD ABOUT AN INCH. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SAABS.
THE DRIVER'S SEAT-BELT HAS STOPPED RETRACTING. THE ITEM HAS A RECALL BUT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE
HORN DOES NOT BLOW, PLEASE WAIT LIGHT STAYS ON. AND BURNS THE BATTERY OUT OVER A DAY OR SO WHILE CAR IS STATIONARY HAVE TO RECHARGE.
FREQUENTLY THE CAR STALLS SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC, LOOSES POWER I CAN'T ACCELERATE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL TO GET HIT. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE CAR VIBRATES AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOT OF SMOKE COMES OUT FROM BACK AND RICH GASOLINE SMELL COMES AND THE SPEED TURNS TO 0. I TURN IT OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES AND RESTART SOMETIMES IT STARTS OK SOMETIMES IT VIBRATES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR. 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 VEHICLE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER SIX WEEKS LATER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF WEST PALM BEACH LOCATED ON 3031 OKEEBHOBEE BLVD WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33409). ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-800-955-9007, BUT THE PHONE DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO INFORMED GENERAL MOTORS AT 1-800-462-8782 WHO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH SAAB AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
WHAT ARE THE SERIAL NUMBERS FOR THE TAKATA RECALL AIRBAGS?
PER GM, THE 2005 SAAB 9-3 WAS DELETED FROM THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. I WANT THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAG SERIAL NUMBERS TO ENSURE MY SAAB IS SAFE.
TAKATA RECALL WHY AREN'T PARTS AVAILABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. HOW LONG CAN I EXPECT TO WAIT FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM? WHO IS RESPONSIBLE IF SOMEONE IS INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS RECALL. WHY ISN'T MORE BEING DONE ABOUT IT. WHY IS THIS COMPANY STILL ALLOWED TO BE IN BUSINESS?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V63000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL FROM SAAB ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF THE INFLATOR OF THE AIRBAG RUPTURING AND METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE CUSHION. THEY DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS? HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT TIL IT IS FIXED OR SOMETHING HAPPENS? CAN THEY TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS THEY NEED TO FIX THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING ANY RESPONSIBILITIES? ANY INFORMATION WILL HELP. THANK YOU. *TR
TAKATA RECALL CANT TRUST MY CAR IF I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS
TAKATA RECALL DRIVER IN FRONT WAS IN MOTION AND CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP AT THE YELLOW SIGNAL LIGHT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. THERE WAS A DIRECT IMPACT FRONT END COLLISION TO MY CAR. THE FORCE OF COLLISION ACTIVATED MY PASSENGER AIRBAG TO INFLATE, BUT MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT...UPDATED 05/09/16 *BF *TR
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2005 Saab 9-3 has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 95 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Saab 9-3.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Saab 9-3.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Saab 9-3 are suspension (28 reports), seat belts (21 reports), air bags (10 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2005 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.