2010 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (70% 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 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuel pump deficiency. When I start the car in the morning to warm up before using it I notice and ear that it stall. After a second it accelerate to a normal rpm. It happens all the time since new (2010). I never received a fuel pump recall notice!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2019
“Had a compression test after weak starting. All 4 cylinders read 100.need valve replacement and understand this is a known problem in 2007-2011 saab 4 cylinder cars. No warranty or recall regarding this use of flawed valves”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2018
“2010 saab 9-3. Consumer writes in regards to takata airbag recall. *ld the consumer stated after having the recall completed the key would no longer turn in the ignition. The cim was replaced and two new keys were had to be programmed. Two broken front coil springs were discovered. The consumer requested a reimbursement for the costs accumulated from having to purchase a rental vehicle. Updated 10/03/2017*js”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have called viking saab and registered on their web site months ago to have my airbag replaced as they are the only authorized saab place in houston, texas, to replace it. They have not contacted me. I don't know what else to do. When I called there they told me to register on their web site. I did that and nothing has happened.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“The NHTSA announced a recall pertaining to the drivers side seatbelt not retracting. Recall #14v318000. As of 3/10/17, my 2010 saab 9.3 sedan is experiencing the same issue as the recall but, the recall only stipulates the convertible model. My question relates to how did the NHTSA determine it was only that model and not the others? Right now my seatbelt doesn't retract when extended in the normal operating extended position. I feel this is an extreme safety issue which could potentially involve all other 2010 models. Please clarify.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2017
“Takata recall - I received a letter over a year ago that my saab 93 was on the recall list for airbags. Looking for an update as to when the replacements will be available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2016
“Takata recall notice march, 2016. To date general motors has made no effort to repair or replace the airbag. I have been unsuccessful in having the vehicle repaired.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall - recall announced in february 2016, and dealership still unable to remedy problem. I have no assurance that there is any intention to fix this potentially deadly problem.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2016
Recalls - 4 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.
SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy: SAAB WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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 2010 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is air bags (70% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 51,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
4 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.