1999 SAAB 9-3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
80
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
27
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 SAAB 9-3
The 1999 SAAB 9-3 has received a total of 80 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, SEATS. 27 technical service bulletins have been issued by SAAB CARS USA, INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (10 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionmodule (10 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (7 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 SAAB 9-3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1999 SAAB 9-3, potentially affecting up to 44,869 vehicles.
Recall 99V362000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 424 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS."
Consequence: 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 LESS EFFECTIVE BRAKING AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.
View full details →Recall 99V246000 — SEATS
| 5,132 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED.
Consequence: 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 RESTRAINT CAPABILITY OF THE SAFETY BELTS IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Recall 98V139000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 39,313 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Consequence: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 SAAB 9-3
80 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 SAAB 9-3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TODAY, SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR, AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT IN MOTION, AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FROM THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED AND ITS SEAT BELT WAS UNFASTENED, HOWEVER A LAPTOP AND SOME OTHER LIGHTWEIGHT OBJECTS WERE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT CRASHED OR DRIVEN OVER A ROAD BUMP WHEN THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED AN INJURED RIGHT ARM, SHOULDER, AND TORSO, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. *TT
JUST AS I PARKED MY CAR, MY SIDE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY CAR DEPLOYED/EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE/LEFT EAR AND NECK WERE INJURED.
WHILE PARKED, I PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE CAR. MY PASSENGER SIDE SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED UPON ENGINE STARTING. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, TINNITUS, AND INNER EAR DAMAGE FROM THE AIRBAG EXPLODING. TOOK CAR TO A GM DEALERSHIP WITH A SAAB TECHNICIAN TO HAVE CAR DIAGNOSED TO EXPLAIN WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO DIAGNOSIS MADE. BUT THEY DID READ ERROR CODE SAYING AIRBAG SENSOR COMMUNICATION FAILURE AFTER AIRBAG DEPLOYED/EXPLODED. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT PRIOR TO INCIDENT. THERE WERE NO SERVICE CODES PRIOR TO INCIDENT EITHER. (I HAD CAR CHECKED 1 WEEK PRIOR TO INCIDENT)
CAR WAS SITTING IDLING AT KERBSIDE WHILE DROPPING MY KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN. I WAS TALKING TO MY CHILD WHO WAS JUST OUTSIDE THE DOOR. PASSENGER SEAT SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF WITH NO IMPACTS PREVIOUS IMPACTS OR ANY MOVEMENT OTHER THAN ONE MINUTE PREVIOUS THE SEAT WAS TILTED FORWARD AND THEN BACK TO LET KIDS OUT OF BACKSEAT. THIS WAS SECONDS AND INCHES AWAY FROM RESULTING IN A DEATH.
Safety Rating for the 1999 SAAB 9-3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 SAAB 9-3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 SAAB 9-3
SAAB CARS USA, INC. has issued 27 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 SAAB 9-3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2482245 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
ON CERTAIN CARS WITHIN VIN RANGES X7020001 - X7063257, THE REAR OXYGEN SENSOR CABLE MAY BE LYING TOO CLOSE TO THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT, WHICH MEANS THAT THE CABLE SHEATHING AND INSULATION CAN BE DAMAGED. *TT
2482261 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
SUBJECT REGARDING CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTIONS FOR RECALL 724 ON REPLACING THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM). *TT
6442196ED2 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
SUBJECT REGARDING UPDATED CAMPAIGN INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SATISFICATION CAMPAIGN 482 ON NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE CHECK VALVE MOUNTED INSIDE THE POWER STEERING BANJO BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND CREATE POWER STEERING NOISE. OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS ARE HIGH FLUID LEVEL IN THE FLUID RESERVOIR, OR THAT THE FLUID GETS ABNORMALLY...
6442196 — STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 482 REGARDING NOISE FROM POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THE CHECK VALVE MOUNTED INSIDE THE POWER STEERING BANJO BOLT MAY LOOSEN AND CREATE POWER STEERING NOISE. OTHER POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS ARE HIGH FLUID LEVEL IN THE FLUID RESERVOIR, OR THAT THE FLUID GETS ABNORMALLY WARM ON VEHICLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN...
8112091 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
SOME CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X7024103 MAY EXPERIENCE A RATTLING NOISE FROM INSIDE THE FIRST BOW AND LATCH HANDLE DIFFICULT TO OPERATE. *TT
8112160 — STRUCTURE:BODY
SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAN THAT THE SOFT TOP COVER DOES NOT OPEN OR FIRST BOW HITS SOFT TOP COVER. *TT
8112187 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLES M99 UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN X7050382 IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE PLASTIC HOLDER FOR THE HEADLINING TO THE THIRD BOW COMES UNDONE AND THE HEADLINING SAGS. *TT
4322037 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 473 REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID ON VEHCILES WITHIN VIN SERIAL NO. RANGES X2000001 - X2023753 OR X7000001 - X7020971. *TT
8432066 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
SOME VEHICLES WITHIN VIN RANGE X7020001 - X7020941 MAY EXHIBIT A CABLE TIE USED TO SECURE THE CONNECTION TO THE ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW CAN BE MOUNTED IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CHAFE AGAINST THE HEADLINING. *TT
8112119 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
SOME CONVERTIBLES WITHIN CERTAIN VIN RANGES MAY EXHIBIT A TWISTED SEAT BELT(S) IN THE STRAP GUIDE. *TT
Showing 10 of 27 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 SAAB 9-3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 9-3
- 1994 SAAB 9-3 — 1 complaint
- 1998 SAAB 9-3 — 0 complaints
- 1999 SAAB 9-3 (current)
- 2000 SAAB 9-3 — 72 complaints
- 2001 SAAB 9-3 — 74 complaints
- 2002 SAAB 9-3 — 52 complaints
- 2003 SAAB 9-3 — 323 complaints
- 2004 SAAB 9-3 — 236 complaints