2009 Saab 9-3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2009 Saab 9-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 13 on record.
2009 Saab 9-3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2009 Saab 9-3 recalls 3
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…
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 …
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.
2009 Saab 9-3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2009 Saab 9-3 safety ratings
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 2009 Saab 9-3 4-DR w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2009 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 1
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 2021An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 449
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 449.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
Bulletin 13598 · Sep 2025This 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 2025This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
Bulletin PIP5601C · Jul 2025This 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 2025This 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 2025This 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 2025This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
Bulletin 04-06-04-051J · Engine · Sep 2024This 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 2024This 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 2024This 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 2024Source: 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 2009 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 2016Seats 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 2014Source: 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.
2009 Saab 9-3 trims & engines on record
2009 Saab 9-3 vehicles on record
2009 Saab 9-3 AeroYS3FH42R091004068
2009 Saab 9-3 ComfortYS3FB49Y791003949
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FF51PX91011122
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FF46V191021121
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FB5AW9A1601450
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FH56P691022332
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FB46V591026768
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FF41W691020482
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FB5MF1A1600661
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FB4MP8A1604113
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FB79Y296002308
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FF51P481158602
2009 Saab 9-3YS3FF41WX91021375