Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 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 ↗Front Driver's Side Seat Belt Retractor may Fail
- 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.
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.
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 (95)
95 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 95 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 29 | 30.5% |
| Seat belts | 22 | 23.2% |
| Air bags | 12 | 12.6% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 9.5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 5.3% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 5.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 4.2% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 4.2% |
| Seats | 4 | 4.2% |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 3.2% |
How 2005 compares with other 9-3 years
Best and worst 9-3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2010 | 30 | 3 |
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
- Compact 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 | 19 / 29 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,050 | 404 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2005 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
2005 Saab 9-3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2005 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 14V318000 (seat belt), 05V236000 (brake). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2005 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners filed 95 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (29), Seat belts (22), Air bags (12) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2005 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 29 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2005 9-3 compare with other years?
Among the 2001–2010 Saab 9-3 model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (30) and the 2003 the most (212). The 2005 drew 95. 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.