How many recalls does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have?

The 2004 Saab 9-3 has 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2004 Saab 9-3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2004 Saab 9-3?

Of 236 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is seat belts.

2004 Saab 9-3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Saab 9-3 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 144,562 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 236 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEAT BELTS 14V318000 2014-06-12 28,789 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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 belt retractor…

SEAT BELTS 10V043000 2010-02-18 14,126 affected

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL TO RETRACT.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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. THE SAFETY RECALL IS…

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 05V236000 2005-05-19 68,654 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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 04V226000 2004-05-11 31,335 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

SEATS 03V514000 2003-12-10 1,658 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD IN A FRONTAL CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

Remedy

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 PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO…

Complaints by component

SEAT BELTS

SUSPENSION:FRONT

SUSPENSION

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TIRES

Total complaints236

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Retractor won't pull driver side seat belt back in”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2024-05-10

“Constant random recurrence of error codes p2122 and p2138 (either together or on their own) which results in the car switching to low power mode, with very low acceleration which makes it very dangerous to merge into traffic, pull out of stops, red lights, etc. Technically supposed to require…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2022-06-04

“******* delete voq ******* this complaint is being marked for deletion because the consumer placed the request*djr ******* delete voq *******”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2021-03-29

“Called devoe automotive in naples to have recalled seatbelt fixed, it just failed to retract. I sent a picture of the vin. And was told they could not find it and could not help us with out a letter with our vin on it saying the broken seatbelt was recalled, just because it will not retract that…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2020-04-14

“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt failed to retract without warning. The vehicle was taken to autonation chevrolet west amarillo (7300 I-40 frontage rd, west amarillo, tx 79106, [REDACTED]) and was informed that the repairs were not included…”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2018-08-01

“Air bag malfunction light”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-01-12

“I have a recall on the driver's side seatbelt. It was broken and is unspooled.”

SEAT BELTS · reported 2017-10-27

“Takata recall - gm dealers advise my car not affected but on recall websites my 2004 saab 9-3 aero is shown to have a takata air bag.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-07-15

Defect investigations

Investigation EA08026 Opened 2008-12-22 · closed 2010-06-04

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil…

Investigation EA08026 Opened 2008-12-22 · closed 2010-06-04

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

Investigation PE08051 Opened 2008-08-28 · closed 2008-12-23

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

ON AUGUST 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-051) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.(NOTE: FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE SALT BELT…

Investigation PE08051 Opened 2008-08-28 · closed 2008-12-23