2000 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 62 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2020
“Driving along, maybe 20-30 mph and driver side airbag deploys for no reason (side, not steering wheel airbag). . No crash, no impact, just driving straight and, boom! My left ear is ringing and my left arm is probably bruised. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall: I received a recall notice in march 2016. The saab customer assistance center continues to tell me the airbag replacement is not available and "I should not worry because there have been no accidents with saab vehicles." however, I own other vehicles with the same recall, and those manufacturers have been able to obtain the replacement.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“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, temporary hearing loss; did not require medical attention. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2014
“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 failure. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2014
“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 switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2013
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saab 9-3 convertible. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt would not retract and became tight around the contact. As a result, the contact began choking from the pressure of the seat belt becoming tighter. The contact spoke to the manufacturer and was told that the seat belts were not under warranty. The failure and the current mileages were 112,334.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2013
“I was driving to the store when I heard boom and seen smoke and I realise the side airbag open. I did not come in contact with anything . The driver seatbelt went about a year ago, it began jam meachican saided that pulley jam. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2012
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
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: 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: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 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 2000 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 62 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 94,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:module. 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.