Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 1998 Saab 9-3 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (96 kW, 129 hp), 2.0 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp) and 2.3 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 96 kW 129 hp | 315 |
| 2.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 131 |
| 2.3 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 112 |
| 2.0 petrol | 113 kW 152 hp | 63 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
639 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 48% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde390
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen308
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse146
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld137
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)122
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt119
- Band onvoldoende profiel111
- Band beschadigd90
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
180 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 534 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 351 of these cars first registered in 1998 took their annual MOT test. 60% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1998 the figure was 64%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1998 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.1% | 16.0% |
| Suspension | 12.3% | 12.4% |
| Brakes | 12.0% | 11.8% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.1% | 9.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.3% | 7.2% |
| Tyres | 6.0% | 3.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
304 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 271,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
9 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 89% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 1998 Saab 9-3.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saab told its dealers about the 1998 Saab 9-3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621482 | SOME CONVERTIBLE MODELS UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN 17004113 MAY EXHIBIT A SOFT TOP THAT MAY STOP HALFWAY DURING CLOSING OR OPENING AND THE SID UNIT SHOWS A CHECK SOFT TOP MESSAGE. *TT |
| 605396 | RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION ON AFFIXING AIRBG LABEL. *TT |
| 603360 | CONCERNS WITH NUTS ON REAR WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS COME LOOSE. *YC |
| 602956 | INFORMATION REGARDING PROPER BRAKE FLUID CAP FIT. *TT |
| 10012036 | REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TURBO CONTROL VALVE. *EH |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)