Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2001 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 ↗FUEL PUMP
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
- Consequence
- OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR OVERHEATING/BURNOUT
- Summary
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
- Consequence
- OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
GM/SAAB/FUEL PUMP
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
- Consequence
- OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SAAB/FMVSS 208/AIR BAG LABEL
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
- Consequence
- THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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 (83)
83 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 83 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 31 | 37.3% |
| Fuel system | 20 | 24.1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 20.5% |
| Air bags | 5 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 4.8% |
| Power train | 3 | 3.6% |
| Tires | 3 | 3.6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 2.4% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2.4% |
| Seats | 2 | 2.4% |
How 2001 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 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,750
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 404 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 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 | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2001 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
2001 Saab 9-3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2001 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 06V126000 (fuel system), 05V399000 (electrical), 04V557000 (fuel system), 01V168000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2001 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners filed 83 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (31), Fuel system (20), Engine and engine cooling (17) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2001 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 28 highway and 22 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2001 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 2001 drew 83. 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.