1999 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 80 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 80 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2021
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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)”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
“I was traveling along on the interstate and all of a sudden the side curtain driver airbag deployed for no reason. It nearly caused me to wreck from the loud pop which blurred my vision as well.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2015
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 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”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-3 convertible. The contact stated that the driver side seat belt failed to retract. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 10/29/14*cn”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.
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."
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.
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."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1999 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 9-3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1999 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 80 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is electrical system (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,480 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.