VehicleVerdict

2006 Saab 9-3 airbags problems

The 2006 Saab 9-3 has 87 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 38% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

87

Airbags complaints

38%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

16V063000AirbagsFebruary 3, 2016 · 113,716 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE SEAT BELT VIOLENTLY SEIZED ACROSS THE CONTACT'S CHEST CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 30, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2006 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA has 87 complaints about the 2006 Saab 9-3 airbags — 38% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Saab 9-3 airbags?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the airbags: 16V063000.

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.