2004 Saab 9-3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Saab 9-3: 5 recalls, 207 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats Vehicle recall #03V514000 · 2003 · 1,658 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 207, "seating systems." the backrest locking mechanism on some front seats May have been installed incorrectly.
Why it matters: This could cause the seat back to fold forward in a frontal crash, resulting in injury to the driver and/or front seat passenger.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's front seats to determine if they are equipped with the improperly installed component. If either or both of the seats have this component, they will be replaced. The dealer May need to order a complete new seat or seats (including matching upholstery) and the…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #04V226000 · 2004 · 31,335 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a front seat occupant May receive more severe injuries.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor assemblies. The recall began on January 24, 2005. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #05V236000 · 2005 · 68,654 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: If this condition were to occur when minimum stopping distance is required, a crash could occur.
The fix: Dealers will install a new redesigned check valve. The recall began on March 17, 2006. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #10V043000 · 2010 · 14,126 vehicles
What's wrong: Some of these vehicles were produced with front seat belt retractors that, over time, could fail to retract.
Why it matters: Using a seat belt that has not retracted, and in the event of a crash, a seat occupant May not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver side retractor free of charge. If the front passenger retractor were to fail to retract, gm will replace the front passenger retractor free of charge under a special coverage that will be released for the same population for 10 years from new vehicle date of sale.…
Seat belts Vehicle recall #14V318000 · 2014 · 28,789 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor May break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted May not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #11E009000 · 2011 · 4,887 vehicles
What's wrong: The defective fuel pump May seize, stopping the fuel flow to the engine creating a stalling condition.
Why it matters: A vehicle crash could occur should the engine stall while in use.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Seat belts (79): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
- Suspension (52): the most common themes are noise or vibration (19), rust / corrosion (4).
- Airbags (20): the most common themes are fails to deploy (3), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (2).
- Electrical (13): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), stalls / loses power (5), door / lock issues (5).
The 2004 Saab 9-3 has 207 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 9-3 model years for complaints (2.2× the average 9-3 year). Complaints peaked in 2009 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 72,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (212 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (95 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
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 2004 Saab 9-3.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Saab 9-3, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners have filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are seat belts (79), suspension (52), airbags (20).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Saab 9-3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.