Model year
2004 Saab 9-3
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 207 complaints for the 2004 Saab 9-3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SEAT BELTS (67), SUSPENSION:FRONT (29), SUSPENSION (18). NHTSA lists 3 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 20–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,800–$4,100, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 50 complaints
- 2001 59 complaints
- 2002 37 complaints
- 2003 212 complaints
- 2004 207 complaints
- 2005 95 complaints
- 2006 179 complaints
- 2007 155 complaints
- 2008 184 complaints
- 2009 43 complaints
- 2010 30 complaints
- 2011 30 complaints
- 2012 0 complaints
Recalls
14V318000 · Jun 12, 2014
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
10V043000 · Feb 18, 2010
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
05V236000 · May 19, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
04V226000 · May 11, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
03V514000 · Dec 10, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
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.
Complaints
207 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 2, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08051 | FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | Aug 28, 2008 | Dec 23, 2008 |
| EA08026 | Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture · SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | Dec 22, 2008 | Jun 4, 2010 |
| PE09048 | SEAT BELT RETRACTOR · SEAT BELTS:FRONT; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS | Sep 30, 2009 | Feb 25, 2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2004 Saab 9-3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.