The defect
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.
The risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Saab 9-3 | 2003, 2004 |
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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 | 2003 | 212 | 4 |
| Saab 9-3 | 2004 | 207 | 5 |
Other seat belts recalls in 2004
36 of the 601 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2004 concerned the seat belts; SAAB CARS USA, INC. filed 88 campaigns in all.
| 04V608000 18 Dec 2004 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES, INC. |
| 04V592000 15 Dec 2004 | VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC |
| 04V595000 15 Dec 2004 | TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V593000 15 Dec 2004 | PORSCHE CARS NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| 04V582000 10 Dec 2004 | MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS |
| 04V550000 18 Nov 2004 | HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) |
| 04V532000 2 Nov 2004 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 04V407000 17 Aug 2004 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2004