2003 Saab 9-3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2003 Saab 9-3, and owners have filed 212 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-3
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
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…
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Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (service brakes)
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.
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.
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Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine management system software may cause engine hesitation or stalling.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management system. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
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Retractor (seat belts)
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.
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.
212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Saab 9-3 have filed 212 complaints with NHTSA; 12 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 17 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 51,583 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 34 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I was driving my 2003 saab 9-3 se convertible to the nearby publix supermarket. The car has never been in an accident or hit. I parked it in the lot with the top down and went into the store for appro”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 20, 2021 · Air bags
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that with the key fob in the ignition, the power steering wheel lock malfunction warning light illuminated. The contact manually turned the ign”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 7, 2020 · Steering
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Saab 9-3 (9-3 Convertible, 9-3 Sport Sedan). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 21–23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 18–20 / 27–29 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Compact Cars, Subcompact Cars |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 2 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Automatic 5-spd; Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Saab 9-3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Saab 9-3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 Saab 9-3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1999 Saab 9-3 | 3 | 64 |
| 2000 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 50 |
| 2001 Saab 9-3 | 4 | 59 |
| 2002 Saab 9-3 | 4 | 37 |
| 2003 Saab 9-3 | 4 | 212 |
| 2004 Saab 9-3 | 5 | 207 |
| 2005 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 95 |
| 2006 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 179 |
| 2007 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 155 |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 184 |
| 2009 Saab 9-3 | 2 | 43 |
| 2010 Saab 9-3 | 3 | 30 |
| 2011 Saab 9-3 | 3 | 30 |
Checking a specific 2003 Saab 9-3
How do I know if my 2003 Saab 9-3 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2003 Saab 9-3; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Saab dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V226000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Saab models
- 9-5506 complaints
- 900360 complaints
- 9-7X171 complaints
- 9000136 complaints
- 9-2X121 complaints
- 9-3 Convertible61 complaints
- 9551 complaints
- Aero15 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.