2011 Saab 9-3 problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 2011 Saab 9-3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 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.

Q: What is the 2011 Saab 9-3 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2011 Saab 9-3 crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: How much is a 2011 Saab 9-3 worth?

Comparable 2011 Saab 9-3 listings run roughly $7,000–$12,100, typically around $9,900 (from 6 vehicles).

2011 Saab 9-3 at a glance

Safety recalls4

Owner complaints30

Typical price$9,900

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

2011 Saab 9-3 recalls 4

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.

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #11V015000 · manufacturer #15029 · 19/01/2011

SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.

Fix: SAAB WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

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.

2011 Saab 9-3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 30 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.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

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.

Suspension

Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

2011 Saab 9-3 safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Rollover risk: 12.7% — 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 2011 Saab 9-3 SW 4WD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

What's a 2011 Saab 9-3 worth?

Low

$7,000

Typical price

$9,900

High

$12,100

From 6 comparable 2011 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

3,395–3,748 lb

Front track

59.4–59.8 in

Rear track

59.1–59.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2011 Saab 9-3 — ranges cover the 4 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 2021

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

Manufacturer service bulletins 157

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 157.