2007 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 155 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (42% of complaints); the 2005 and 2009 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I called elkins chevrolet in marlton nj as listed on my recall form. I called them two times. The first time they told me the part is not available. I then received a few more recall notices still listing them as the service center. I called again an was then told the only work of chevrolets. Both turned out to be bold faced lies!”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2007 saab 9-3. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags). After contacting malcolm cunningham chevrolet (2031 gordon hwy, augusta, ga), the contact was informed that they did not service saab vehicles. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“I was having an issue with my engine idling rough when starting up and while driving cold. After the car warms, the issue get a bit better. But while cold, the car runs terribly rough. After spending over $3000 trying to diagnose and fix the issue, including replacing the entire fuel system, several engine parts, and hours of labor and wasted time, the saab dealer narrows it down to a compression issue involving one of the intake valves, which it seems is a common problem for the 2007 model 9-3s. They estimate an additional $2,500 of work to fix it! I've read hundreds of complains on this issue. If this is such a common issue, gm should recall these faulty parts and replace them.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the driver's seat belt was inoperable. The contact stated that the seat belt pretensioner failed to retract the seat belt after coming to a stop. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v318000 (seat belts). The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. Delaware cadillac (1606 pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806, (302) 656-3100) was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2017
“First issue was front suspension coils. Replaced both. Biggest issue was once the weather became very cold, car would not start. Ended up being a victim of the bad intake valves provided by gm. Now, after a complete valve job and having the car run great from march 2017 to dec 2017..it appears it may have a cracked block. Car never overheated. Fluids were always maintained. Looked into that and apparently there were some casting issues as well. Thanks gm.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2017
“Takata recall - received a letter stating that I could go online for a $25 mastercard reward card after I completed repairs on the saab. I completed the repairs. Tried to access the website but it was not a working website. Unable to apply for the reward card.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2017
“Airbag recall there was only one store listed on your website for the recall, I called them and they told me that they do not do saab cars”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Drivers side front coil spring rusted and broken causing loud clunking when driving. I am looking for an explanation on why safety recall 15917 only includes the years 2003-2006 when clearly the issue from reading online surpasses those years by far.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2017
“At start up, the car loses braking power. To stop the car you have to push extremely hard on the brakes. After the car has been driven 20 to 30 feet the brake power comes back to normal.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2017
“Takata recall: why does the airbag recall not include the passenger side airbag for my car? The driver side airbag was replaced yesterday in my car pursuant to the recall, but not the passenger side airbag. Doesn't the passenger side airbag present a danger to the passenger if it spontaneously deploys?”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
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.
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 2007 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 155 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2007 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is air bags (42% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2007 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,220 miles or less.
Does the 2007 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:retractor. 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.