The 2004 Saab 9-3 has a elevated safety risk profile with 5 recall campaigns and 207 NHTSA complaints. Before buying, verify that all recalls have been completed. It's free at any dealer.

Recalls

207

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

05V2360002005-19-05

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

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.

IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

View at NHTSA

03V5140002003-10-12

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

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.

THIS COULD CAUSE THE SEAT BACK TO FOLD FORWARD IN A FRONTAL CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT SEAT PASSENGER.

View at NHTSA

04V2260002004-11-05

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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.

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

View at NHTSA

View all 5 recalls

10V0430002010-18-02

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

14V3180002014-12-06

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

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.

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.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

Across 1 model years, 207 owners have filed complaints about the 2004 Saab 9-3. SEAT BELTS issues top the list, so ask the seller about this area specifically during your inspection.

01Seat Belts75

02Suspension48

03Air Bags17

04Engine And Engine Cooling7

05Electrical System6

207 total across 1 model years (2004–2004)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Saab 9-3 Fuel Economy

20–24mpg combined

17-20city

25-30hwy

$1,800-$2,900/yr

Across 8 configurations, the 2004 Saab 9-3 returns 20–24 MPG combined. Choose the thriftier option if you're commuting; the sportier setup if you're not counting gallons.

By Trim

9-3 Sport Sedan - Manual 5-spd

24mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

20 city30 hwy~$1,800/yr-1/10 Poor

9-3 Convertible - Manual 5-spd

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city27 hwy~$2,650/yr-1/10 Poor

9-3 Convertible - Manual 6-spd

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

18 city28 hwy~$2,650/yr-1/10 Poor

9-3 Sport Sedan - Automatic (S5)

22mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

19 city27 hwy~$2,000/yr-1/10 Poor

9-3 Sport Sedan - Manual 6-spd

21mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

18 city25 hwy~$2,750/yr-1/10 Poor

9-3 Convertible - Automatic (S5)

20mpg

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive

17 city26 hwy~$2,900/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2004 Saab 9-3

22States

38%in top 3

13% of the market sits in Pennsylvania, though listings span 22 states. Expand your search and you'll find more options at better prices.

PAPennsylvania

813%

NCNorth Carolina

813%

FLFlorida

813%

DEDelaware

711%

MIMichigan

58%

MOMissouri

35%

AZArizona

23%

NJNew Jersey

23%

WAWashington

23%

NYNew York

23%

GAGeorgia

23%

OROregon

23%

DCWashington DC

23%

CACalifornia

23%

MAMassachusetts

12%

UTUtah

12%

MNMinnesota

12%

ILIllinois

12%

RI1

WI1

CT1

TN1

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2004.

Buying a 2004 Saab 9-3?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2004 Saab 9-3 a good car to buy?

The 2004 Saab 9-3 has its strengths and its watch-outs. 5 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Owners report seat belts as the area to watch most closely. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2004 Saab 9-3?

There are 5 documented recalls for the 2004 Saab 9-3. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2004 Saab 9-3?

You'll get between 20 and 24 MPG combined from the 2004 Saab 9-3, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.

What are common problems with the 2004 Saab 9-3?

Out of 207 owner complaints, seat belts issues lead the pack. Get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically covers this area. The known issues breakdown has all the details.