The 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.
The risk
THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD IN A FRONTAL CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Saab 9-3 | 2004 |
Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saab 9-3 | 2004 | 207 | 5 |
Other seats recalls in 2003
15 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the seats; SAAB CARS USA, INC. filed 88 campaigns in all.
| 03V530000 12 Dec 2003 | ACCUBUILT, INC. |
| 03V459000 6 Nov 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V402000 16 Oct 2003 | MID BUS CORPORATION |
| 03V364000 8 Oct 2003 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 03V346000 29 Sept 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V345000 15 Sept 2003 | FERRARI NORTH AMERICA |
| 03V281000 5 Aug 2003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 03V235000 1 Jul 2003 | ALFA LEISURE,INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003