Model year guide

2008 Saab 9-3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Saab 9-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 109 on record.

2008 Saab 9-3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Saab 9-3 at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints184
Typical price$5,989

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2008 Saab 9-3 recalls 3

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V063000 · manufacturer #28810 and 28811 · 03/02/2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9…

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #14V318000 · manufacturer #14222, 15027 · 12/06/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat …

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #11E009000 · 28/02/2011

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2008 Saab 9-3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2008 Saab 9-3 safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★

Rollover risk: 12.1% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2008 Saab 9-3 4-DR w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

What's a 2008 Saab 9-3 worth?

Low
$3,000
Typical price
$5,989
High
$9,200

From 38 comparable 2008 Saab 9-3 listings.

Dimensions & weight

Length
182.7–183.1 in
Width
68.9–70.5 in
Height
56.3–57.9 in
Wheelbase
105.5 in
Curb weight
3,175–3,699 lb
Front track
59.4–59.8 in
Rear track
59.1–59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2008 Saab 9-3 — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture Open

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deploymen…

NHTSA #EA21002 · Air Bags · opened Sep 2021

REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST Closed

SAAB AUTOMOBILE AB, A SUBSIDIARY OF GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM), MANUFACTURED 12,317 SUBJECT VEHICLES THROUGH FEBRUARY 15, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH THE "HIGH FEATURE" V6 TURBOCHARGED ENGINE IDENTIFIED BY REGULAR PRODUCTION OPTION LP9. A TANDEM VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY PROVIDES BRAKE POWER-ASSIST. THE ENGINE IS THE PRIMARY VACUUM SOURCE TO THE BOOSTER AND ITS EFFECT IS AMPLIFIED BY A VENTURI. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, S…

NHTSA #PE08005 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · opened Jan 2008 · closed Jun 2008

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 183

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 183.

New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH

Bulletin 13598 · Sep 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060,…

Bulletin PIC5650M · Aug 2025

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

Bulletin PIT5074R · May 2025

This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.

Bulletin 04-06-04-051J · Engine · Sep 2024

This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a slight movement that is more often seen visu…

Bulletin 08-07-30-026I · Power Train · Sep 2024

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on When and How to Submit a Field Product Report (FPR) (U.S. and Canada Dealers Only).

Bulletin 02-00-89-002X · Sep 2024

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in que…

Bulletin PIT3271P · Sep 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 9-3 FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2008 Saab 9-3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Airbag

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airba…

Transport Canada #2016052 · Feb 2016

Seats And Restraints

On certain convertible model vehicles, the tensioning cable in the driver's seat belt retractor may break, causing the belt to fail to retract. If a crash were to occur with a seat belt in this condition, it could increase the risk of injury to the driver. Correction: Dealers will replace seat belt retractor assemblies.

Transport Canada #2014228 · Jun 2014

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Saab 9-3

The Saab 9-3 is a compact executive car initially developed and manufactured by the Swedish automaker Saab.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2008 Saab 9-3 trims & engines on record

Trims
2.0T · Aero · 2.0T SportCombi
Engines
2.0L · 2.8L

2008 Saab 9-3 vehicles on record

Other Saab 9-3 model years

2008 Saab 9-3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Saab 9-3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Saab 9-3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saab 9-3?

Across all 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, engine, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2008 Saab 9-3 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2008 Saab 9-3 crash-test ratings of frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

How much is a 2008 Saab 9-3 worth?

Comparable 2008 Saab 9-3 listings run roughly $3,000–$9,200, typically around $5,989 (from 38 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.