Representative model. Photo: SsmIntrigue, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2003 Saab 9-3 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2003 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 5
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 214
Latest campaign: Feb 28, 2011

Recall summary by component5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Fuel system, gasoline	2	Feb 28, 2011	11E009000 07V087000
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	May 19, 2005	05V236000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Oct 20, 2004	04V540000
Seat belts	1	May 11, 2004	04V226000

Safety recalls5

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Feb 28, 2011Latest campaign


Feb 28, 201111E009000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery fuel pump A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. DetailsHide details for campaign 11E009000 What's wrong TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION. Risk A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE. Remedy TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM. Campaign NHTSA 11E009000 · Feb 28, 2011
Mar 7, 200707V087000	Fuel system, gasoline: delivery hoses, lines/piping, and fittings OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. DetailsHide details for campaign 07V087000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION. Risk OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. Campaign NHTSA 07V087000 · Mar 7, 2007
May 19, 200505V236000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR. DetailsHide details for campaign 05V236000 What's wrong 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. Risk IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. Campaign NHTSA 05V236000 · May 19, 2005
Oct 20, 200404V540000	Engine and engine cooling IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V540000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING. Risk IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. Remedy DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007. Campaign NHTSA 04V540000 · Oct 20, 2004
May 11, 200404V226000	Seat belts: front retractor IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES. DetailsHide details for campaign 04V226000 What's wrong 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. Risk IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES. 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. Campaign NHTSA 04V226000 · May 11, 2004

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component214

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

214Complaints filed

12Involving a crash

6Involving a fire

17Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Electrical system	46	21	0	5	0
Suspension	42	20	2	0	4
Engine and engine cooling	33	15	2	0	1
Power train	32	15	1	0	1
Steering	19	9	5	0	6
Fuel system	18	8	1	0	0
Gasoline	16	7	1	0	0
Air bags	15	7	2	0	7
Service brakes	14	7	0	0	0
Exterior lighting	13	6	0	0	0
Equipment	13	6	0	1	1
Seat belts	12	6	1	0	2
Hydraulic	12	6	0	0	0
Structure	9	4	0	0	0
Tires	9	4	0	0	1

12 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Air bags
“I was driving my 2003 saab 9-3 se convertible to the nearby publix supermarket. The car has never been in an accident or hit.”
Filed 01/20/2021 · ODI 11389024
Steering
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that with the key fob in the ignition, the power steering wheel lock malfunction warning light illuminated.”
Filed 01/07/2020 · ODI 11297754
Engine
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. When the vehicle decelerated, it shut off without warning at will. The contact also stated that the vehicle decelerated when driving up a hill.”
Filed 05/17/2019 · ODI 11208331

Other Saab 9-3 model years

All years: 2011 · 2010 · 2009 · 2008 · 2007 · 2006 · 2005 · 2004 · 2003 · 2002 · 2001 · 2000

Other Saab models

All Saab models and years →

2003 Saab 9-3 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns for the 2003 Saab 9-3. The most recent, 11E009000 (reported February 28, 2011), concerns fuel system, gasoline. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2003 Saab 9-3 recalls for?

The largest group is fuel system, gasoline, with 2 campaigns. Others: service brakes, hydraulic (1), engine and engine cooling (1), seat belts (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Saab 9-3?

Electrical system is the most-reported component, named in 46 complaints out of 214 filed with NHTSA (21%). Across all complaints, owners reported 12 crashs and 6 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2003 Saab 9-3?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.

Check a specific Saab by VIN

Free · No signup · US-market vehicles, 1981+