2011 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (83% 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.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 saab 9-3. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag sensor warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 saab 9-3. The contact detected a strong odor of coolant inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was leaking coolant and screws were missing that connected the transmission to the motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made ware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2018
“Letter is response to the recall of a defective air bag; seeking help for this dilemna NHTSA campaign id number 16v063. *ld the consumer stated the recall exceeded a reasonable amount of time. Updated 06/29/2017 *js”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Hi all, we receive a notice several months ago regarding a recall to the airbags in our car. At the time they said there was currently no rememdy. I just checked safecar.gov to check if there were any updates and it says "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available " we are worried about using this car as recently an eleventh person was killed by these airbags. Is there some way to expedite the replacement of the airbags? Thanks you so much for any help you might be able to offer. Scott”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2016
“Takata recall - I was apprised by mail that the airbags on my saab 9-3 need to be replaced, but that the remedy is not yet available. Eight months have passed and the remedy is still not available. Why must I continue to drive a vehicle with airbags that may cause injury or worse? When will replacement airbags be available?”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall. Saab vehicle has been recalled for potentially dangerous airbag, but manufacturer is out of business and previous parent company (gm) has not indicated any timeframe for fixing the defective airbag. This car is now going on 5 years with this defective airbag in place. What can be done?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the 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. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“I have contacted wright automotive (wexford pa) multiple times regarding the recall on the airbags. There response to me is "sorry we don't have the part yet. Is there anything that I can do. This is my primary vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 saab 9-3. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle 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 · Jun 2016
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted at 800-955-9007. The contact asked the manufacturer to have the dealer nearby repair the air bags. The manufacturer referred the contact to dealer that was 60 miles away from the contact's residence. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 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 - 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 2011 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is air bags (83% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 2011 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.