2004 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 207 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seat belts (38% of complaints); the 2002 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Constant random recurrence of error codes P2122 and P2138 (either together or on their own) which results in the car switching to low power mode, with very low acceleration which makes it very dangerous to merge into traffic, pull out of stops, red lights, etc. Technically supposed to require changing the throttle pedal sensor, but changing it does not solve the issue, which is electrical. This is a known issue for GM cars.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2022
“******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because the consumer placed the request*djr ******* delete voq *******”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to retract without warning. The vehicle was taken to autonation chevrolet west amarillo (7300 I-40 frontage rd, west amarillo, tx 79106, 806-553-5673) and was informed that the repairs were not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v318000 (seat belts). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 164,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Takata recall - gm dealers advise my car not affected but on recall websites my 2004 saab 9-3 aero is shown to have a takata air bag.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“While driving, without any warning the car engine stalls. No warning at all!! Once it stops, ignition key won't work. The only way to restart the car is to disconnect the battery. This is all done in the emergency shoulders, breakdown lanes, its also happened on the highway exit ramps. Luckily each time there was a place to pull over. We could get killed. It has happened numerous times . Sometimes it stalls 2-3 times a day. I am so disappointed in this car. I am afraid to drive it, and how can I sell it knowing that something bad could happen to the new owner.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“Takata recall? My car keeps giving me the following alert: airbag malfunction. How can I verify it is part of the recall?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2016
“I recieved a letter recall 15027 dated december 2018. I had to have my seatbelt repaired in june 2016. The cost of the repair was $401 and was repaired by bicklers repair. I am requesting reembursement for the repair in 2016. It is still not functioning correctly so I currently have it in for repairs at rimrock pontiac in billings.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) in march of 2016. The contact called saab to determine when the parts would be available. The contact was advised that the notification was sent by mistake and the VIN was no longer included in the recall. The manufacturer informed the contact that he would receive a second notice. The contact did not feel safe driving the vehicle because the air bags could potentially deploy without warning. The contact had not experienced a failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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: 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: 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.
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL TO RETRACT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT SAABPARTS.COM/US. Note: In June 2014, GM expanded the special coverage from 10 years to be for the lifetime of the vehicle.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COMPONENT. IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEATS HAVE THIS COMPONENT, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MAY NEED TO ORDER A COMPLETE NEW SEAT OR SEATS (INCLUDING MATCHING UPHOLSTERY) AND THE PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO TWO TO FOUR WEEKS TO ARRIVE. SAAB WILL PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR THE OWNER UNTIL THE NEW SEAT(S) IS (ARE) AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 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 2004 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 207 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is seat belts (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 72,750 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. 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.