2006 Saab 9-3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
179 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 93 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 86 of 179 complaints (48.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 34 | 19.0% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 86 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 |
Air Bags: 86; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Seat Belts: 14; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Service Brakes: 7; Steering: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (26). 86 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 10 |
| 2008 | 18 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 13 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 47 |
| 2017 | 34 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 10; 2008: 18; 2009: 7; 2010: 13; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 8; 2014: 7; 2015: 10; 2016: 47; 2017: 34; 2018: 5; 2019: 7; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10140409 · 2005-10-21 (October 21, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE FELL OFF. AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED IN A BACK AND FORTH MOTION. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO UP AND DOWN IN DIRECTION. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE SERVICE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER REINSTALLED THE LEVER, AND STATED THAT THE FACTORY MAY HAVE INSTALLED THE LEVER INCORRECTLY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN C…
Owner-reported narrative. 313 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155628 · 2006-04-18 (April 18, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS LOCKS AND THE TRUNK RELEASE AS WELL. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND TRUNK CAME OPEN ON ONE OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10159228 · 2006-06-07 (June 7, 2006)
I PURCHASED MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT SEDAN ON MARCH 10, 2006. BY APRIL 1, 2006, I WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE, I.E. IT WOULD SPUTTER, MISFIRE, SKIP AND IDLE AT MORE THAN 1,770 RPM. EVENTUALLY THE ENGINE WOULD EVEN OUT AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO PULL OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. ON THE MORNING OF MAY 1, 2006, THE CAR CONTINUED THIS STARTING BEHAVIOR, RESULTING IN THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO MY SAAB DEALER. THEY KEPT IT FOR 21 DAYS AND STILL DID NOT FIX IT, EVEN THOUGH THE DEALER REPLACED EV…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159228 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181092 · 2007-01-30 (January 30, 2007)
CLEAR DAY. HIGHWAY TRAVEL. CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 65-70 MPH. 2006 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 3200 MILES. ENTERED CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW/BRAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. CAR CONTINUED AT SET SPEED. SEEMS THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR WAS FIGHTING TO KEEP THE SPEED UP TO CRUISE CONTROL SETTING. TRUCK AHEAD SLOWED AND I DID NOT. MANEUVERED LEFT TO AVOID TRUCK AND MADE CONTACT WITH A CONSTRUCTION TRAILER. CONTINUED TO AFTER CONTACT. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. PENN DOT CALLED POLICE TO THE CRASH SCE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181092 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10181910 · 2007-02-07 (February 7, 2007)
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING HIS 2006 SAAB 93 (6300 FAILURE MILEAGE) APPROXIMATELY ONE (1) MILE AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE, TURING OFF THE POWER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT "EACH TRIP THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN MORE THEN TEN (10) MILES IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESTART APPROPRIATELY."
Owner-reported narrative. 6,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10181910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10187056 · 2007-04-04 (April 4, 2007)
BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO WORK SEVERAL TIMES. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LOCKED AND NOT ABLE TO PRESS DOWN. TODAY AFTER ACCELERATING FROM 0 TO ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. I FELT LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL KICK IN. I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES BUT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. I WAS DRIVING IN THE PASSING LANE TO AVOID HITTING ANY CARS. I NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF AND THE BRAKES FINALLY STARTED TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANY SUCH COMPLAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,880 miles reported. Look up ODI 10187056 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10191321 · 2007-05-21 (May 21, 2007)
I HAVE A BRAND NEW SAAB. 2006 MODEL BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER 2006. SINCE I HAVE THE CAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION ED. LIGHT HAS GONE ON THREE TIMES, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. IF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING IT CAN COST ME MY LIFE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 846 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10200589 · 2007-08-23 (August 23, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR PIRELLI P6 (SIZE P215/55R16-97) SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE SIDEWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY BURST. SHE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THIS BRAND OF TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,400.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10200589 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V318000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
Reported: 2014-06-12 (June 12, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V063000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
NHTSA campaign record ↗