Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1999 Saab 9-3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SAAB/FMVSS 135/BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL
- Summary
- 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.
SAAB/MANUAL SEATS
- Summary
- 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.
SAAB/FMVSS 208
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (80)
80 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 26 | 32.5% |
| Air bags | 21 | 26.3% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 8.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 7.5% |
| Suspension | 5 | 6.3% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Visibility | 4 | 5% |
| Wheels | 4 | 5% |
| Seats | 3 | 3.8% |
| Steering | 3 | 3.8% |
How 1999 compares with other 9-3 years
Best and worst 9-3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 | 0 |
| 1999 | 80 | 3 |
| 2000 | 62 | 3 |
| 2001 | 83 | 4 |
| 2002 | 46 | 4 |
| 2003 | 212 | 4 |
| 2004 | 207 | 5 |
| 2005 | 95 | 2 |
| 2006 | 179 | 2 |
| 2007 | 155 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1999 9-3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1999 Saab 9-3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1999 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 99V362000 (equipment), 99V246000 (seat), 98V139000 (equipment). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1999 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners filed 80 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (26), Air bags (21), Seat belts (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1999 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 18 city, 25 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1999 9-3 compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2007 Saab 9-3 model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2003 the most (212). The 1999 drew 80. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.