Model year
2008 Saab 9-3
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 184 complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-3 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are AIR BAGS (71), ENGINE (66), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (13). NHTSA lists 2 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$4,550, 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
16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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…
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.
Complaints
184 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 5, fire flag on 1, injury field 6, deaths field 1. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08005 | REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND… | Jan 28, 2008 | Jun 3, 2008 |
| EA21002 | Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE | Sep 17, 2021 | No close date in the file |
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 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 26 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 24 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 26 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 24 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2.8L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 26 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2.8L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 24 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 24 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
4 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
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 2008 Saab 9-3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.