Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2003. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2001.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 9-3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 9-3 | 30 | 3 |
| 2010 9-3 | 30 | 3 |
| 2009 9-3 | 43 | 2 |
| 2008 9-3 | 184 | 2 |
| 2007 9-3 | 155 | 2 |
| 2006 9-3 | 179 | 2 |
| 2005 9-3 | 95 | 2 |
| 2004 9-3Most complaints | 207 | 5 |
| 2003 9-3Most complaints | 212 | 4 |
| 2002 9-3 | 37 | 4 |
| 2001 9-3 | 59 | 4 |
| 2000 9-3 | 50 | 2 |
| 1999 9-3 | 64 | 3 |
| 1998 9-3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Air bags367
- Electrical system188
- Suspension173
- Seat belts163
- Engine116
- Engine and engine cooling104
- Power train71
- Service brakes, hydraulic58
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 52 9-3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 37 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 | 4 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 | 3 |
| 2007 | 8 | 6 |
| 2006 | 10 | 6 |
| 2005 | 5 | 4 |
| 2004 | 7 | 6 |
| 2003 | 4 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| 2001 | 2 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 | 3 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2012 Saab 9-3 4 DR AWD | — | 12.1 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Saab 9-3 4 DR 4WD | — | 12.1 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 11 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.1–11.5 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 9-3 Sport Sedan Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.1 | 8.2 | 10.4 |
| 2008 | 9-3 Sport Sedan Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.1 | 8.2 | 10.4 |
| 2007 | 9-3 Sport Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
| 2006 | 9-3 Sport Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.2 | 10.4 |
| 2005 | 9-3 Linear Turbo · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.1 | 10.3 |
| 2004 | 9-3 Linear Turbo · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 8.0 | 10.1 |
| 2003 | 9-3 Linear Turbo · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 8.2 | 10.2 |
| 2002 | 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 8.6 | 10.8 |
| 2001 | 9-3 Turbo # · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
| 2000 | 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 8.9 | 11.1 |
| 1999 | 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 9.6 | 11.5 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
373 9-3 cars are on the New Zealand register; 56% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 | 19 | 13 | 5 |
| 2008 | 39 | 23 | 16 |
| 2007 | 42 | 18 | 24 |
| 2006 | 43 | 26 | 16 |
| 2005 | 32 | 12 | 18 |
| 2004 | 34 | 11 | 19 |
| 2003 | 48 | 22 | 26 |
| 2002 | 34 | 20 | 12 |
| 2001 | 19 | 1 | 18 |
| 2000 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1999 | 29 | 0 | 27 |
| 1998 | 9 | 0 | 8 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
18,849 9-3 cars are on Dutch roads; 43% arrived later as imports. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 69 | €41,293 |
| 2011 | 575 | €42,838 |
| 2010 | 709 | €49,254 |
| 2009 | 777 | €44,435 |
| 2008 | 2,096 | €40,666 |
| 2007 | 2,046 | €38,608 |
| 2006 | 1,898 | €38,084 |
| 2005 | 1,832 | €45,113 |
| 2004 | 2,101 | €54,140 |
| 2003 | 1,234 | €51,890 |
| 2002 | 1,293 | €47,784 |
| 2001 | 1,322 | €38,322 |
| 2000 | 1,269 | €45,846 |
| 1999 | 989 | €51,036 |
| 1998 | 639 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In Finland
7,925 9-3 cars were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026: 84% petrol, 14% diesel. Mileage is the odometer reading at the last inspection.
| First registered | In use | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 28 | 222,000 km |
| 2011 | 241 | 260,000 km |
| 2010 | 220 | 255,000 km |
| 2009 | 336 | 271,000 km |
| 2008 | 1,086 | 287,000 km |
| 2007 | 1,021 | 272,000 km |
| 2006 | 1,094 | 274,000 km |
| 2005 | 667 | 275,000 km |
| 2004 | 635 | 273,000 km |
| 2003 | 650 | 281,000 km |
| 2002 | 402 | 267,000 km |
| 2001 | 371 | 263,000 km |
| 2000 | 504 | 270,000 km |
| 1999 | 366 | 283,000 km |
| 1998 | 304 | 271,000 km |
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use, 30 Jun 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Road collisions in Great Britain
From 2021 to 2025, 625 9-3 cars were involved in road collisions in Great Britain that injured someone and were reported to the police. 13 of those collisions were fatal and 141 caused serious injuries. As with any count, models with more cars on British roads appear more often.
| Year | Cars in injury collisions | Fatal | Serious |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78 | 3 | 16 |
| 2024 | 103 | 2 | 23 |
| 2023 | 141 | 3 | 30 |
| 2022 | 140 | 1 | 36 |
| 2021 | 163 | 4 | 36 |
Department for Transport, STATS19 road safety data 2021–2025 · Open Government Licence v3.0 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
28,147 9-3 cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 1 |
| 2012 | 184 | 10 |
| 2011 | 2,141 | 257 |
| 2010 | 2,917 | 500 |
| 2009 | 3,037 | 689 |
| 2008 | 4,512 | 1,554 |
| 2007 | 5,032 | 2,185 |
| 2006 | 3,735 | 2,462 |
| 2005 | 2,385 | 2,248 |
| 2004 | 1,520 | 1,515 |
| 2003 | 631 | 984 |
| 2002 | 575 | 929 |
| 2001 | 489 | 1,086 |
| 2000 | 454 | 1,037 |
| 1999 | 345 | 894 |
| 1998 | 180 | 534 |
| 1960 | 0 | 1 |
| 1959 | 0 | 1 |
| 1958 | 1 | — |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
44,831 9-3 cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 62% passed first time, against 58% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 212 | 77% |
| 2011 | 2,596 | 67% |
| 2010 | 3,782 | 67% |
| 2009 | 4,172 | 66% |
| 2008 | 6,935 | 64% |
| 2007 | 8,301 | 61% |
| 2006 | 6,779 | 58% |
| 2005 | 4,322 | 59% |
| 2004 | 2,806 | 59% |
| 2003 | 1,214 | 59% |
| 2002 | 998 | 63% |
| 2001 | 923 | 65% |
| 2000 | 806 | 65% |
| 1999 | 634 | 66% |
| 1998 | 351 | 60% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | 9-3 | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 16.1% | 16.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 13.4% | 19.9% |
| Brakes | 10.5% | 11.8% |
| Tyres | 6.9% | 7.2% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 6.1% | 7.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.9% | 6.2% |
| Visibility | 5.8% | 6.9% |
| Steering | 2.2% | 3.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
25,342 new Saab 9-3 cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2017, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2017 the largest markets were Italy (2).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | 167 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1 | — |
| 2015 | 128 | — |
| 2014 | 213 | — |
| 2013 | 49 | — |
| 2012 | 1,015 | — |
| 2011 | 9,001 | — |
| 2010 | 14,933 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Recalls
17 campaigns cover the 9-3; the latest 12 are below.
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.
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.
SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
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.
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.
NHTSA recalls