no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. WITHOUT THIS LABEL, SOMEONE MAY USE THE INCORRECT SPECIFICATION BRAKE FLUID, GET DIRT INTO THE RESERVOIR, OR ALLOW MOISTURE INTO THE BRAKE FLUID, RESULTING IN…
1999 Saab 9-3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 64 owner complaints about the 1999 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 28, 2021. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 Saab 9-3 has problems
64 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
22Electrical system
17Air bags11 crash/fire/injury
5Engine and engine cooling
5Suspension
4Seat belts
4Visibility
3Wheels
3Power train
3Seats
117 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 22 | 0 |
| Air bags | 17 | 11 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 2 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 11 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1999 Saab 9-3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. SINCE THE ANCHOR POINTS FOR THE LAP PORTION OF THE FRONT SAFETY BELTS ARE ATTACHED TO THE SEAT ASSEMBLY, RELEASE OF THE FORE/AFT LOCKING MECHANISM REDUCES THE…
no report yet
Other: labels
Risk. THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saab.
Best & worst years
1999 vs. every other 9-3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 9-3 median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1999 Saab 9-3, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 05V-399
In owners' words
What 9-3 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
FOR MY 1999 SAAB 9-3, BASE ENGINE, I REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE, AT 128,800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PART ALONE WAS $488 AND THE TOTAL INSTALLATION COST AND PARTS (INCLUDING A HOSE AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS) WAS $760. MODEL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2002 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PART. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START HIS VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE CRANKED, BUT HE RECEIVED NO SPARK. HE ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH DID NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. HE ALSO REMOVED THE SPARK PLUG WIRES AND NOTICED THAT VARIOUS PARTS WERE…
Own a 1999 9-3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.