Recalls
5campaigns
3 seat belt · 1 brake · 1 seat
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
207filed
Owner reports, 2000–2009 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
24mpg combined
$2,721/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
8 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (5)
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2004 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 ↗Listed for 2004 Saab 9-3. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Driver's Side Seat Belt Retractor may Fail
Seat belts · front · retractor
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
32.7% repairedof 28,789 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V318000
Listed for 2004 Saab 9-3. Not checked against your VIN.
FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
Seat belts · front · retractor
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL TO RETRACT.
- Consequence
- USING A SEAT BELT THAT HAS NOT RETRACTED, AND IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT SAABPARTS.COM/US. Note: In June 2014, GM expanded the special coverage from 10 years to be for the lifetime of the vehicle.
Repair progress not yet reported14,126 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V043000
Listed for 2004 Saab 9-3. Not checked against your VIN.
BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE
Service brakes, hydraulic · power assist · vacuum · hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported68,654 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 05V236000
Listed for 2004 Saab 9-3. Not checked against your VIN.
SAAB/SEAT BELT RETRACTORS
Seat belts · front · retractor
Official NHTSA text
- 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.
Repair progress not yet reported31,335 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V226000
Listed for 2004 Saab 9-3. Not checked against your VIN.
SAAB/FMVSS 207/FRONT SEAT LOCKING MECHANISM
Seats · front assembly · recliner
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD IN A FRONTAL CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COMPONENT. IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEATS HAVE THIS COMPONENT, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MAY NEED TO ORDER A COMPLETE NEW SEAT OR SEATS (INCLUDING MATCHING UPHOLSTERY) AND THE PARTS MAY TAKE UP TO TWO TO FOUR WEEKS TO ARRIVE. SAAB WILL PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR FOR THE OWNER UNTIL THE NEW SEAT(S) IS (ARE) AVAILABLE AND INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Repair progress not yet reported1,658 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 03V514000
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 (207)
207 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The seat belts is mentioned most often.
10involved a crash
2involved a fire
8injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 207 |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 79 | 38.2% |
| Suspension | 52 | 25.1% |
| Air bags | 20 | 9.7% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 6.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 4.3% |
| Service brakes | 7 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 2.9% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 2.4% |
| Power train | 5 | 2.4% |
| Steering | 4 | 1.9% |
How 2004 compares with other 9-3 years
Best and worst 9-3 years →200062
200183
200246
2003212
2004207
200595
2006179
2007155
2008184
200943
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2009 | 43 | 2 |
This year (2004)Other yearsStill collecting reports
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 24 mpg combined
24
mpg combined
20
city
30
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
$2,721per year
$227per month
625gallons a year
Miles ÷ 24 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 / 30 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-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 automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 6-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 27 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 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
2004 Saab 9-3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 14V318000 (seat belt), 10V043000 (seat belt), 05V236000 (brake), 04V226000 (seat belt), 03V514000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners filed 207 complaints with NHTSA. Seat belts (79), Suspension (52), Air bags (20) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 30 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 9-3 compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2009 Saab 9-3 model years at least five years old, the 2009 drew the fewest complaints (43) and the 2003 the most (212). The 2004 drew 207. 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.
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