Saab 9-3 problems, recalls & best years
The deets on every 9-3 from 1994 to 2011: 1,346 owner complaints and 38 recalls across 14 model years.
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (212), 2004 (207), 2008 (184). Best fuel economy: 24 mpg combined (2002).
Problem areas across all years
Year by year
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Best mpg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | – | |
| 1999 | 3 | 64 | 21 | |
| 2000 | 2 | 50 | 22 | |
| 2001 | 4 | 59 | 22 | |
| 2002 | 4 | 37 | 24 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 212 | 23 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 207 | 22 | |
| 2005 | 2 | 95 | 22 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 179 | 21 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 155 | 21 | |
| 2008 | 2 | 184 | 22 | |
| 2009 | 2 | 43 | 22 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 30 | 23 | |
| 2011 | 3 | 30 | 23 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the Saab 9-3.
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FAQ
What is the worst year for the Saab 9-3?
The model years with the most owner complaints are 2003 (212), 2004 (207), 2008 (184).
How many recalls has the Saab 9-3 had?
Across 1994–2011, NHTSA lists 38 vehicle recall campaigns by model year (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year).