Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2003 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 JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE
- Summary
- CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
- Consequence
- IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SAAB/STALLING
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
- Consequence
- IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SAAB/SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
- Summary
- SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS 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 (212)
212 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 212 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 46 | 21.7% |
| Suspension | 42 | 19.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 32 | 15.1% |
| Power train | 32 | 15.1% |
| Fuel system | 18 | 8.5% |
| Steering | 18 | 8.5% |
| Air bags | 15 | 7.1% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 6.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 6.1% |
| Seat belts | 12 | 5.7% |
How 2003 compares with other 9-3 years
Best and worst 9-3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2008 | 184 | 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 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 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 | 20 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 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
2003 Saab 9-3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 07V087000 (fuel system), 05V236000 (brake), 04V540000 (engine), 04V226000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners filed 212 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (46), Suspension (42), Engine and engine cooling (32) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 29 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 9-3 compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 Saab 9-3 model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (46) and the 2003 the most (212). The 2003 drew 212. 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.