2010 Saab 9-3: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
50,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 30 complaints (73.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 13.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 10.0% |
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 | 22 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 1 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Air Bags: 22; Engine: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 1; Fuel/Propulsion System: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 21 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2016 | 18 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 2; 2016: 18; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10395589 · 2011-04-12 (April 12, 2011)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER NOTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V015000 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE RECALL NOTIFICATION UNTIL APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10395589 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10449255 · 2012-02-24 (February 24, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10449255 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10492375 · 2013-01-13 (January 13, 2013)
MONTHS AGO, DRIVER'S SEATBELT LIGHT WOULD COME ON, DRIVER WOULD THEN PUSH HARDER ON SEATBELT BUCKLE WHICH WOULD 'CLICK' AGAIN (SECOND TIME) AND SECURE. RECENTLY, DRIVER WOULD CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND PURPOSELY NOTE 'CLICK' IN BUCKLE MECHANISM YET LIGHT WOULD COME ON ANYWAY. DRIVER HAD TO DISENGAGE AND RE CLICK SEATBELT 2-3 TRIES. THIS MORNING, THE METAL COMPONENT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE. DRIVER HAD TO ATTACH SEATBELT RESTRAINT INTO PASSENGER'S BUCKLE. THE ALARM SOUNDED, LIGHT IN DASH INDICATING NO SEATBELT USAGE. DRIVER FEARS SAFE…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492375 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10495004 · 2013-01-28 (January 28, 2013)
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS I OWNED IT. AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A REPAIR MADE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OF STALLING OCCURRED TODAY ON THE ON-RAMP OF A BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER, ON A CURVE GOING UPHILL, AND NO EXIT FOR TWO MILES OF BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITH NO NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10495004 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10852769 · 2016-03-31 (March 31, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10852769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10854357 · 2016-04-08 (April 8, 2016)
G.M. HAS NO INFORMATION WHEN A SAFE REPLACEMENT WILL BE A AVAILABLE. NOT ACCEPTABLE, THE OLDER THE CAR IS THE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE IT IS FOR THE DEFECT, ANOTHER DEATH HAS JUST BEEN REPORTED IN A HONDA AND G.M. EXPECTS ME TO DRIVE THE CAR. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BECAUSE CERTAIN COMPANIES ARE ALLOWED TO BUILD GARBAGE? I HAVE AN IDEA MAKE THEM MAKE THEIR CARS AS SAFE AS A TESLA.
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10854357 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10860524 · 2016-04-20 (April 20, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) AND FELT THAT THE PART EXPECTED AVAILABILITY DATE WAS UNREASONABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10860524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10874015 · 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10874015 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V015000 · Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
Consequence: THE SUBJECT FUEL PUMPS CAN SEIZE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: SAAB WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
NHTSA campaign record ↗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 ↗