VehicleVerdict

2004 Saab 9-3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 236 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median 9-3 year — the 2004 model ranks #2 of 14 9-3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 80 reports (34% of the total).

236

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

3

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other 9-3 years?

9-3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted323 complaints1994: 1 complaints1999: 80 complaints2000: 72 complaints2001: 74 complaints2002: 52 complaints2003: 323 complaints2004: 236 complaints2005: 114 complaints2006: 227 complaints2007: 182 complaints2008: 218 complaints2009: 46 complaints2010: 31 complaints2011: 33 complaints
9-3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Saab 9-3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts8034%
Suspension5724%
Airbags208%
Electrical System146%
Engine125%
Fuel System104%
Brakes83%
Other63%
Transmission52%
Lighting52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Steering42%
Seats31%
Speed Control21%
Latches & Locks21%
Body & Structure21%
Visibility & Wipers10%

Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V318000Seat BeltsJune 12, 2014 · 28,789 units

Defect

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.

11E009000Fuel SystemFebruary 28, 2011 · 4,887 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy

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.

10V043000Seat BeltsFebruary 18, 2010 · 14,126 units

Defect

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.

05V236000BrakesMay 19, 2005 · 68,654 units

Defect

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.

04V226000Seat BeltsMay 11, 2004 · 31,335 units

Defect

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.

03V514000SeatsDecember 10, 2003 · 1,658 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I DO HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9-3 ARC CONVERTIBLE. THERE IS A SEAT BELT RECALL. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY GMC TUSTIN DEALER 3 WEEKS AGO. HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. SINCE IT IS A SEAT BELT ISSUE, I DO NOT LIKE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUE. BY LAW, HOW…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 30, 2015

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS FIRST NOTICED TWO WEEKS AGO. HE JACKED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A CRASH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 9, 2009

“OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE "B" REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND RELEASED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 15, 2005 · crash

“DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 93ARC. COULD TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT THE CAR BEING IN PARK. ON JULY 22, 2005 CAR ROLLED DOWN DRIVEWAY, CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CONTACTED CONCERN WAS THAT SOMEONE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM A MAY GET HURT. THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 22, 2005 · crash

“OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE "B" REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND RELEASED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 15, 2005 · crash

2004 Saab 9-3 — common questions

Is the 2004 Saab 9-3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 236 complaints put the 2004 model at #2 of 14 9-3 years. It is one of the 9-3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 9-3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (80 complaints), suspension (57 complaints), airbags (20 complaints).

Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Saab 9-3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Saab 9-3 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9-3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9-3 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2010. The cleanest record among 9-3 years belongs to 1994.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.