1999 Saab 9-3
3 recall campaigns and 63 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 1999 Saab 9-3; the recalls concern equipment and seats.
The component named most often is electrical system: 278.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 84.4 per 1,000 across all 1999 model-year vehicles and against 123.9 per 1,000 for the Saab 9-3 line as a whole.
That is fewer than the average of 92.8 complaints per model year across the 14 Saab 9-3 model years on this register; 5 complaints reported a crash and 0 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2006 (11); the most recent in the file is dated 19 Jul 2018.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 1 investigation naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The brake reservoir label was omitted. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 135, "passenger car brake systems."
Consequence: Without this label, someone may use the incorrect specification brake fluid, get dirt into the reservoir, or allow moisture into the brake fluid, resulting in less effective braking and possibly a crash.
Remedy: Owners will be mailed labels and installation instructions.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC. (manufacturer campaign 718).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: passsenger vehicles. Failures of the "easy entry" cable in the front driver or passenger manual seats can cause the seat fore/aft adjustable mechanism to be unlocked.
Consequence: Since the anchor points for the lap portion of the front safety belts are attached to the seat assembly, release of the fore/aft locking mechanism reduces the restraint capability of the safety belts in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new cable and spring assembly.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC. (manufacturer campaign 710).
Defect, as filed: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Consequence: The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC..
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 1999 Saab 9-3 (black) against all 1999 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 1999 | 9-3 line | All 1999 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 278.5 | 123.9 | 84.4 |
| Air Bags | 215.2 | 217.6 | 50.5 |
| Suspension | 75.9 | 115.3 | 89.7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 63.3 | 64.7 | 121.3 |
| Visibility | 50.6 | 11.1 | 43.3 |
| Seat Belts | 50.6 | 96.2 | 19.6 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 1999 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 | 278.5 | 123.9 | 84.4 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 215.2 | 217.6 | 50.5 |
| Suspension | 6 | 75.9 | 115.3 | 89.7 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 63.3 | 64.7 | 121.3 |
| Visibility | 4 | 50.6 | 11.1 | 43.3 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 50.6 | 96.2 | 19.6 |
| Tires | 3 | 38 | 14.2 | 48.2 |
| Power Train | 3 | 38 | 42.5 | 92.4 |
| Wheels | 3 | 38 | 5.5 | 9.1 |
| Seats | 3 | 38 | 14.2 | 16.5 |
| Steering | 2 | 25.3 | 24 | 50.4 |
| Equipment | 2 | 25.3 | 12.9 | 18.6 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 1 | 12.7 | 5.5 | 10.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 12.7 | 16.6 | 41.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 12.7 | 40.7 | 132 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 12.7 | 33.3 | 28.8 |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 12.7 | 11.1 | 20.3 |
63 unique complaints, 79 component mentions; 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE05017 | Preliminary evaluation | ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES | electrical system:ignition:module | 7 Apr 2005 | 23 Sep 2005 | 05V399000 |
Other Saab 9-3 model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 NHTSA | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1999 | 3 | 63 | 44,869 |
| 2000 | 2 | 48 | 146,275 |
| 2001 | 4 | 55 | 175,555 |
| 2002 | 4 | 34 | 216,339 |
| 2003 | 4 | 209 | 206,615 |
| 2004 | 5 | 203 | 144,562 |
| 2005 | 2 | 91 | 97,443 |
| 2006 | 2 | 174 | 142,505 |
| 2007 | 2 | 152 | 142,505 |
| 2008 | 2 | 170 | 142,505 |
| 2009 | 2 | 43 | 142,505 |
| 2010 | 3 | 29 | 146,905 |
| 2011 | 3 | 27 | 146,905 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Saab 9-3 model years · Saab: 11 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 1999 Saab 9-3 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 99V362000, was reported to NHTSA on 29 Dec 1999 and concerns equipment:other:labels. Across all model years the Saab 9-3 line has 17 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 1999 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 1 action naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 1999 Saab 9-3 complain about most?
Electrical System: 22 of 79 component mentions (278.5 per 1,000). Next is air bags with 17. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.