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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk and remedy
Risk: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist, vacuum
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Engine and engine cooling
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Fuel system
2007-03-07 · campaign 2007-059
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break.
Seats and restraints
2004-05-12 · campaign 2004-160
On certain vehicles, the Automatic Tensioning System (ATS) cable in the seatbelt retractor could break, causing webbing spooled out by the user to not retract. With this condition in the event of a vehicle crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries. Correction: Dealers will replace the seatbelt retractor assemblies.
Owner complaints (212)
Owners filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3 (12 crashes, 6 fires, 17 injuries reported). Among 14 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 64).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 46 | |
| Suspension | 42 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | |
| Power train | 32 | |
| Steering | 18 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 16 | |
| Air bags | 15 | |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Saab 9-3.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Saab 9-3 w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
| 2003 Saab 9-3 Covertible w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Saab 9-3 version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| 9-3 Convertible 2.0 L Automatic 4-spd | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 9-3 Convertible 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 19 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 L Automatic 5-spd | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0 L Manual 6-spd | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.