Model year
2011 Saab 9-3
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 30 complaints for the 2011 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 (25), SEAT BELTS (3), ENGINE (1). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. 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–$3,350, 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.
11V015000 · Jan 19, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
Complaints
30 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 0, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.121 | — |
| 4 DR RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.121 | — |
| C FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
| SW 4WD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.127 | — |
| SW RWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.127 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD · 2L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 27 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 27 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| 9-3 Convertible · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| 9-3 SportCombi · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 30 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| 9-3X SportCombi AWD · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 27 | 20 | — | — | $3,350 |
| 9-3X SportCombi AWD · 2L · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 29 | 23 | — | — | $2,900 |
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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 2011 Saab 9-3 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.