Total Complaints
33 filings
SAAB 9-3 · model year
2011 SAAB 9-3
33 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2011SAAB9-3 carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 9-3 is air bags with 25 filings, followed by seat belts (3) and power train (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 2011 9-3. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
33
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated
· Front: Not Rated/5
· Side: Not Rated/5
· Rollover: 4/5
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 25 |
| SEAT BELTS | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
Recalls (4)
11E00900028/02/2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
11V01500019/01/2011
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
14V31800012/06/2014
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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.
16V06300003/02/2016
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 deploy
Recent Complaints
20210601SEAT BELTS
driver side seat belt not retracting, there is a recall but does not include this vin number.
20200831CrashAIR BAGS
DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING IN A FORWARD, STRAIGHT MOTION.
Mileage: 90,000
20200601AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
Mileage: 103,000
20181115ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND SCREWS WERE MISSING THAT CONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Mileage: 120,000
20180222UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE
20180222SUSPENSION
PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE
20170629AIR BAGS
LETTER IS RESPONSE TO THE RECALL OF A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG; SEEKING HELP FOR THIS DILEMNA NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 16V063. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. UPDATED 06/29/2017 *JS
20170620AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-955-9007. THE CONTACT ASKED THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE THE DEALER NEARBY REPAIR THE AIR BAGS. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO DEALER THAT WAS 60 MILES AWAY FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
20170602AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. DORSHAL AUTOMOTIVE WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND INITIALLY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PART WAS BEING SENT; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STILL WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE RECALL REMEDIED DUE TO THE LACK OF PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 08/29/17*LJ *CN
20170427AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. THE RECALL ISSUE HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW YET NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS MODEL VEHICLE. CONSIDERING THE DANGER AND GRAVITY BEHIND THIS KNOWN ISSUE, IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT A REMEDY IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR ALL VEHICLES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY THE PERSONS INVOLVED.
20170224AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000(AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN FEBRUARY OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
20170205AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE FIXED ON MY CAR. I CHECK EVERY MONTH FOR THE STATUS OF THE RECALL AND EVERY MONTH I SEE NO ACTION. THIS COULD SERIOUSLY INJURE ME OR MY FAMILY. AN UNKNOWN TIME FRAME FOR RESOLUTION ON AN ISSUE KNOWN TO INJURE PEOPLE IS UNACCEPTABLE.
20170118AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. I NEED AN IMMEDIATE SOLUTION TO THE SAFETY HAZARD THIS RECALL PRESENTS. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR GETTING A MANUFACTURER BUYOUT ON MY VEHICLE?
20170101AIR BAGS
TAMARA RECALL NO REPLACEMENT YET
Mileage: 112,148
20161227AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/21/17*LJ UPDATED 03/01/17.*JB
20161227SEAT BELTS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 02/21/17*LJ UPDATED 03/01/17.*JB
20161209AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
20161130AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED NOTICE, BY MAIL, OF THE AIRBAG RECALL IN MARCH 2016. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS LATER AND WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE.
20161027AIR BAGS
HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS? THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER. SCOTT
20161027SEAT BELTS
HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS? THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER. SCOTT
Compare 2011SAAB9-3 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2011 SAAB 9-3 have?▼
The 2011 SAAB 9-3 has 33 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 SAAB 9-3?▼
The 2011 SAAB 9-3 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 SAAB 9-3?▼
Yes, the 2011 SAAB 9-3 has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 SAAB 9-3?▼
The most-complained component for the 2011 SAAB 9-3 is AIR BAGS with 25 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS and POWER TRAIN.
Is the 2011 SAAB 9-3 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 SAAB 9-3 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.