2009 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (40% of complaints).
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 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My 2009 saab 9-3 started and ran fine on the way to work, but at lunch it started for a couple seconds and shut off. The car cranks, but is audibly too free spinning. A local shop said compression in the engine was very low, and after multiple calls it seems that my car has the infamous "soft intake valves" problem that has been a widespread plague for these cars for model years 07-11. This car only has 78,000 miles on it, and has always had the oil changed with the correct gm spec oil. I would think an engine should last much longer than this.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2019
“I was first notified of the recall in 2016, but told that the replacement parts not available. When I got the notice early this year that parts available, I called the authorized dealer several times and never got a response. On one occasion I spoke to someone who said he would call me back but never did, and who told me that my car doesn't have the tamara airbag (which it appears it does), and that nothing had happened with any saab. He was very dismissive of the risk.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2017
“Takata recall - my complaint is that absolutely nothing has happened, and that the status of the recall issued approximately one year ago is: "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available". People are still dying out there because takata has not yet solved this problem. Those of us who own vehicles that are under this recall can't just stop driving them while we wait for this part to become available. So, instead, we expose ourselves to risk of injury and death from an air bag that is supposed to protect us in a crash. This is totally unacceptable!!! *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2016
“It is public information that takata's airbags carry a very high risk since the inflator propellant degrades to the point of braking the steel housing and throwing it to the occupant causing severe injuries or death. In spite of all these facts, the manufacturer has not initiated a recall and does not provide answers after several calls to their customer office. My vehicle has a takata airbag according to NHTSA's database, the inflator must be replaced.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall I have been aware of my vehicle's recall for greater than 6 months and my manufacturer has not yet presented a safe solution.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Takata recall: gm announced this recall 6 months ago. Still no remedy and no communication. My children are about to start learning to drive - I don't want to risk their lives by allowing them to drive the saab - I need a new airbag. Sorry if this is the wrong form - I followed the safer links.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Takata recall - it has been over six months since this recall was issued, and the parts are still not available to fix a potentially life threatening condition. It is difficult to drive a vehicle that may kill me if I am involved in an accident. When will the replacement air bags be available? Why is the manufacturer not mandated to fix this problem within a reasonable amount of time? I personally think that six months is more than sufficient time to have this issue rectified.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Takata recall. I was notified of the recall in may 2016. There has been no follow-up or fix available to this date. This is a driver-side airbag recall. I cannot safely drive my car until this is fixed. I live in austin, texas where it is hot and humid much of the year. This is an important factor that increases the danger related to this recall.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Takata recall--it's been 5 months since I was notified of the recall, but I've received no further word. Saab's are no longer being manufactured and sold as new cars, and therefore I expect I'm at the bottom of the list. But I just put a great deal of maintenance into the car, it has 60,000 miles and I'm not in the market for a new car. However, I'm terrified to take a passenger or drive the car myself. When I want to know will my cincinnati or columbus, oh dealer have a new airbag to install.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - 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 2009 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is air bags (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,250 miles or less.
Does the 2009 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.