The 2010 SAAB 9-3 has 4 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (22 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints30filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
2010 SAAB 9-3 in an NHTSA crash test
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
NHTSA recall 16V063000 · Feb 3, 2016 · 113,716 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
NHTSA recall 14V318000 · Jun 12, 2014 · 28,789 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 11E009000 · Feb 28, 2011 · 4,887 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Fix: 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.
Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump
NHTSA recall 11V015000 · Jan 19, 2011 · 4,400 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THE SUBJECT FUEL PUMPS CAN SEIZE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2010 Saab 9-3 4-DR w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.1%
2010 Saab 9-3 Convertible w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2010 Saab 9-3 Wagon w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
12.7%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
9-3 Sport Sedan
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
9-3 SportCombi
24mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
9-3 Convertible
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
9-3 Sedan AWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
9-3 Convertible
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
9-3 Sedan AWD
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
9-3 Sport Sedan
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
9-3 SportCombi
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
9-3 Sedan AWD
21mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags
22
0
0
0
52,000 mi
Fuel system, other Delivery › Fuel pump
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts
2
0
0
0
—
Engine
2
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition
1
0
0
0
—
Fuel/propulsion system
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 17, 2023 · 104,000 milesFuel system, other The contact owns a 2010 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V015000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately provide fuel level in the vehicle. The contact stated that while the tank was a half tank full, the fuel gauge would drop to 0 gallons. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated with a message indicating a fuel pump failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer…
Mar 8, 2019Fuel/propulsion system FUEL PUMP DEFICIENCY. WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO WARM UP BEFORE USING IT I NOTICE AND EAR THAT IT STALL. AFTER A SECOND IT ACCELERATE TO A NORMAL RPM. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE NEW (2010). I NEVER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL NOTICE!
Mar 8, 2018Engine HAD A COMPRESSION TEST AFTER WEAK STARTING. ALL 4 CYLINDERS READ 100.NEED VALVE REPLACEMENT AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2007-2011 SAAB 4 CYLINDER CARS. NO WARRANTY OR RECALL REGARDING THIS USE OF FLAWED VALVES
Mar 10, 2017Seat belts THE NHTSA ANNOUNCED A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING. RECALL #14V318000. AS OF 3/10/17, MY 2010 SAAB 9.3 SEDAN IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL BUT, THE RECALL ONLY STIPULATES THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL. MY QUESTION RELATES TO HOW DID THE NHTSA DETERMINE IT WAS ONLY THAT MODEL AND NOT THE OTHERS? RIGHT NOW MY SEATBELT DOESN'T RETRACT WHEN EXTENDED IN THE NORMAL OPERATING EXTENDED POSITION. I FEEL THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY INVOLVE ALL OTHER 2010 MODELS. PLEASE CLARIFY.
Jul 1, 2017 · 52,000 milesAir bags I HAVE CALLED VIKING SAAB AND REGISTERED ON THEIR WEB SITE MONTHS AGO TO HAVE MY AIRBAG REPLACED AS THEY ARE THE ONLY AUTHORIZED SAAB PLACE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, TO REPLACE IT. THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. WHEN I CALLED THERE THEY TOLD ME TO REGISTER ON THEIR WEB SITE. I DID THAT AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
Jul 12, 2017Air bags 2010 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL COMPLETED THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CIM WAS REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS WERE HAD TO BE PROGRAMMED. TWO BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS ACCUMULATED FROM HAVING TO PURCHASE A RENTAL VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/03/2017*JS
Mar 1, 2016Air bags TAKATA RECALL-I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. I HAVE CONTACTED THE SAAB SERVICE CENTER ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS TO TRY TO DETERMINE WHEN THE AIR BAG WILL BE REPLACED. I HAVE ALWAYS RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE: "WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO REPLACE YOUR AIR BAG". I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD THAT THEY, THE MANUFACTURER, DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT AND KILLED. THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT OLDER VEHICLES LOCATED IN THE HIGHER HUMIDITY ZONES TAKE PRIORITY. I HAVE EXPLAINED THAT MY CAR IS A 2010 AND IS LOCATED IN ZONE B. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT THE HIGHEST HUMIDITY ZONE BUT IT IS THE SECOND MOST AND IT IS MUCH OLDER…
Jan 20, 2017Air bags TAKATA RECALL - I RECEIVED A LETTER OVER A YEAR AGO THAT MY SAAB 93 WAS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR AIRBAGS. LOOKING FOR AN UPDATE AS TO WHEN THE REPLACEMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled…