Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1999 Saab 9-3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system22
- Air bags17
- Engine and engine cooling5
- Suspension5
- Visibility4
- Seat belts4
- Seats3
- Tires3
- Wheels3
- Power train3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 10 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1999 Saab 9-3 failed the safety check 3.20% of the time — 82% more often than the average 1999 passenger car (1.76%). Median odometer at inspection: 126,694 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1999 Saab 9-3 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (113 kW, 152 hp), 2.0 petrol (96 kW, 129 hp) and 2.0 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 113 kW 152 hp | 399 |
| 2.0 petrol | 96 kW 129 hp | 387 |
| 2.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 72 |
| 2.0 petrol | 147 kW 197 hp | 51 |
| 2.0 petrol | 151 kW 202 hp | 20 |
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
989 first registered in 1999 are on Dutch roads; 34% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €51,036.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde594
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen405
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse244
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)221
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt200
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld184
- Band onvoldoende profiel149
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht129
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
345 cars built in 1999 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 894 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, 634 of these cars first registered in 1999 took their annual MOT test. 66% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1999 the figure was 63%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1999 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 15.5% | 16.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 11.5% | 9.3% |
| Brakes | 11.0% | 12.2% |
| Suspension | 9.6% | 13.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.2% | 7.3% |
| Visibility | 5.4% | 6.9% |
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
366 of these cars first registered in 1999 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 283,000 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
29 1999 cars are on the New Zealand register; 93% 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
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.5–12.2 L/100 km (about 19–20 mpg US), CO₂ 265–281 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.1 | 9.6 | 11.5 |
| 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 10.2 | 12.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 1999 Saab 9-3.
| 1999167 20 Sept 1999 | Seats And Restraints On certain Saab 9-3 convertible and 9-3 hatchback, a failure of the "Easy Entry" cable in the front driver or passenger manual seats can cause the seat fore/aft… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
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 1999 Saab 9-3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621490 | SUBJECT REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF TEST BRAKE LIGHTS MESSAGE DELETED FROM SID REPLACEMENT UNITS. *TT |
| 621485 | ON SOME VIGGEN MODELS FROM M99 TO M01 VIN 17016680, THE OUTER BRACKETS OF THE REAR SPOILER CAN WARP, CAUSING THE SPOILER TO VIBRATE AND RATTLE. *TT |
| 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 |
| 619562 | TO ADDRESS AN EXTERNAL OIL OR COOLANT LEAK FROM THE CYLINDER HEAD GASKET WHEN NO ENGINE OVERHEATING OR OTHER RUNNING COMPLAINTS HAVE OCCURRED. *TT |
| 619554 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW UPDATE KIT FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT |
| 618671 | SUBJECT REGARDING CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECALL 724 ON REPLACING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). *TT |
| 618669 | INFORMATION ON REPLACING SHEAR PINS AND LOCKING PINS ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLES. *TT |
| 614915 | ON CERTAIN CARS WITHIN VIN RANGES X7020001 - X7063257, THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR CABLE MAY BE LYING TOO CLOSE TO THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH MEANS THAT THE CABLE SHEATHING AND INSULATION CAN BE DAMAGED. *TT |
| 614914 | SOME VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT A STICKING CHECK VALVE FOR THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION, PRESSURIZING THE CRANKCASE, AND FORCING ENGINE OIL INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER AND / OR THE FLOW OF COOLANT THROUGH THE TURBO UNIT MAY BE REDUCED RESULTING IN THE TEMPERATURE BECOMING SO HIGH THAT THE ENGINE OIL CRYSTALLIZES (BUILDS CARBON DEPOSITS) AROUND THE TURBINE-SIDE BEARING. *TT |
| 614096 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 482 REGARDING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE CHECK VALVE MOUNTED INSIDE THE POWER STEERING BANJO BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND CREATE POWER STEERING NOISE. OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS ARE HIGH FLUID LEVEL IN THE FLUID RESERVOIR, OR THAT THE FLUID GETS ABNORMALLY WARM ON VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES. *TT |
| 614093 | SUBJECT REGARDING UPDATED CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SATISFICATION CAMPAIGN 482 ON NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE CHECK VALVE MOUNTED INSIDE THE POWER STEERING BANJO BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND CREATE POWER STEERING NOISE. OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS ARE HIGH FLUID LEVEL IN THE FLUID RESERVOIR, OR THAT THE FLUID GETS ABNORMALLY WARM ON VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES. *TT |
| 612511 | SOME CONVERTIBLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT A TWISTED SEAT BELT(S) IN THE STRAP GUIDE. *TT |
| 610538 | SOME VEHICLES WITHIN VIN RANGE X7020001 - X7020941 MAY EXHIBIT A CABLE TIE USED TO SECURE THE CONNECTION TO THE ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW CAN BE MOUNTED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CHAFE AGAINST THE HEADLINING. *TT |
| 610155 | SUBJECT REGARDING THE SPARE PARTS PROGRAMMING OF MIU. *TT |
| 610149 | SOME CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X7024103 MAY EXPERIENCE A RATTLING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE FIRST BOW AND LATCH HANDLE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. *TT |
| 610146 | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 473 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ON VEHCILES WITHIN VIN SERIAL NO. RANGES X2000001 - X2023753 OR X7000001 - X7020971. *TT |
| 610145 | ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLES M99 UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X7050382 IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE PLASTIC HOLDER FOR THE HEADLINING TO THE THIRD BOW COMES UNDONE AND THE HEADLINING SAGS. *TT |
| 610144 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAN THAT THE SOFT TOP COVER DOES NOT OPEN OR FIRST BOW HITS SOFT TOP COVER. *TT |
| 610137 | SUBJECT REGARDING A VOLUNTARY SAFETY-RELATED RECALL CAMPAIGN AFFECTING EARLY CONVERTIBLE AND 3-DOOR CARS WITH MANUALLY ADJUSTABLE FRONT SEATS. *TT |
| 608402 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT TOP STOPS MOVING DURING 5TH BOW MOVEMENT. *MJS |
| 608360 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF THE HORN SOUNDING ON ITS OWN OR THE STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROLS OPERATING INTERMITTENTLY. *TT |
| 608356 | CUSTOMERS MAY ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT INTERFERENCE OR POOR RADIO RECEPTION WHEN LISTENING TO AM STATIONS. *TT |
| 608081 | INFORMATION ADDRESSING COMPLAINTS OF EXCESSIVE NOISE, LOW POWER ASSIST, LEAKAGE, OR OVERHEATING OF THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. *TT |
| 608074 | CONVERTIBLES WITHIN VIN INTERVAL X7023727 - X7050589 MAY EXHIBIT AIR IN THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. *TT |
| 607547 | SUBJECT ON REPLACING THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM SIREN. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation