2004 Saab 9-3
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 Saab 9-3, covering seat belts, service brakes, hydraulic and seats, and 203 consumer complaints received since 2003.
The component named most often is seat belts: 331.9 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 13.1 per 1,000 across all 2004 model-year vehicles and against 96.2 per 1,000 for the Saab 9-3 line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 92.8 complaints per model year across the 14 Saab 9-3 model years on this register; 10 complaints reported a crash and 2 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2009 (30); the most recent in the file is dated 3 Jan 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 3 investigations 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: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by General Motors LLC (manufacturer campaign 14222, 15027).
Defect, as filed: General motors is recalling certain model year 2004 saab 9-3 sedans. Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract.
Consequence: Using a seat belt that has not retracted, and in the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT SAABPARTS.COM/US. Note: In June 2014, GM expanded the special coverage from 10 years to be for the lifetime of the vehicle.
Filed by GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (manufacturer campaign E090273).
- 05V236000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSReported 19 May 2005 · 68,654 units
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC. (manufacturer campaign 15019 / 05057).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC. (manufacturer campaign 15017).
Defect, as filed: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." the backrest locking mechanism on some front seats may have been installed incorrectly.
Consequence: This could cause the seat back to fold forward in a frontal crash, resulting in injury to the driver and/or front seat passenger.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's front seats to determine if they are equipped with the improperly installed component. If either or both of the seats have this component, they will be replaced. The dealer may need to order a complete new seat or seats (including matching upholstery) and the parts may take up to two to four weeks to arrive. Saab will provide a rental car for the owner until the new seat(s) is (are) available and installed by the dealer. Owner notification is expected to begin during february 2004. Owners should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC. (manufacturer campaign 15014).
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 2004 Saab 9-3 (black) against all 2004 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2004 | 9-3 line | All 2004 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 331.9 | 96.2 | 13.1 |
| Suspension | 245.7 | 115.3 | 49.3 |
| Air Bags | 86.2 | 217.6 | 77.9 |
| Electrical System | 51.7 | 123.9 | 130.9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 38.8 | 64.7 | 63.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 30.2 | 40.7 | 46.2 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 77 | 331.9 | 96.2 | 13.1 |
| Suspension | 57 | 245.7 | 115.3 | 49.3 |
| Air Bags | 20 | 86.2 | 217.6 | 77.9 |
| Electrical System | 12 | 51.7 | 123.9 | 130.9 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 9 | 38.8 | 64.7 | 63.7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 | 30.2 | 40.7 | 46.2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 30.2 | 33.3 | 28.8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 21.6 | 18.5 | 33.1 |
| Power Train | 5 | 21.6 | 42.5 | 116.1 |
| Steering | 4 | 17.2 | 24 | 71.4 |
| Tires | 4 | 17.2 | 14.2 | 22.4 |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 17.2 | 11.1 | 20.9 |
| Seats | 3 | 12.9 | 14.2 | 18.4 |
| Equipment | 3 | 12.9 | 12.9 | 14.1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | 12.9 | 24 | 20.2 |
| Engine | 3 | 12.9 | 64.1 | 35.2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 8.6 | 16.6 | 42.3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 2 | 8.6 | 5.5 | 15.5 |
| Structure | 2 | 8.6 | 12.9 | 71.1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 10.5 |
| Visibility | 1 | 4.3 | 11.1 | 41.4 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 4.3 | 9.9 | 26.9 |
203 unique complaints, 232 component mentions; 8 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE09048 | Preliminary evaluation | SEAT BELT RETRACTOR | seat belts:front | 30 Sep 2009 | 25 Feb 2010 | 10V043000 |
| EA08026 | Engineering analysis | Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture | suspension:front:springs:coil springs | 22 Dec 2008 | 4 Jun 2010 | — |
| PE08051 | Preliminary evaluation | FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE | suspension:front:springs:coil springs | 28 Aug 2008 | 23 Dec 2008 | — |
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 2004 Saab 9-3 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 14V318000, was reported to NHTSA on 12 Jun 2014 and concerns seat belts:front:retractor. Across all model years the Saab 9-3 line has 17 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2004 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 3 actions 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 2004 Saab 9-3 complain about most?
Seat Belts: 77 of 232 component mentions (331.9 per 1,000). Next is suspension with 57. 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.