Saab 9-3 ConvertibleModel year report

2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible Problems

Complaints: 12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 95,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 1campaigns on record
Trend: Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 17 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible. The part named most often is air bags, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and seat belts (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 22% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Driving along, maybe 20-30 MPH and driver side airbag deploys for no reason (side, not steering wheel airbag). . No crash, no impact, just driving straight and, boom! My left ear is ringing and my left arm is probably bruised.”

NHTSA complaint #11323899, filed 2020-05, 174,183 miles

Electrical system: “While driving on highway, auto shut down completely, no power steering, brakes, etc. Coasted to side of road. Car would not restart. Burnt electrical smell from engine. Car was towed to repair shop, where a failed ignition cassette was diagnosed. The check engine light comes on periodically since day one, in some cases for days at a time. I have asked about this problem at several dealers and have been told that it could be because of a loose gas cap and not to worry about it (Saab USA claims that they don't know anything about this problem). …”

NHTSA complaint #10090611, filed 2004-09, 38,000 miles

Seat belts: “While driving my car I had to push on the brakes fairly hard. The seat belt retracted and then stayed retracted. I have been looking for a proper replacement for the drivers side seat belt and have yet to find one for less than $200.00 for a used one and over $300.00 for a refurbished one. Gm just happens to have new ones but they are almost $500.00 according to the rep from GM.these seat belts have a charging cylinder on them that sets off the air bag. That alone causes you to have to ship it as a hazardous material.if you can find someone to ship it at a reasonable cost. …”

NHTSA complaint #10609014, filed 2014-07, 145,011 miles

Engine cooling: “Engine blew do to excessive carbon build up, Saab has been aware of this problem since 1999 and offered a extended warranty to original buyers till 8 years and unlimited mileage. To fix, engine has to be replaced. Car only has 100,000 miles. The oil portholes that squirt into the pistons are clogged burning out the cylinders. To fix the concern $4-5,000, if we can use the engine that came with the car, used engines are going for $2-3000 and you cannot buy a new or rebuilt one.”

NHTSA complaint #10258846, filed 2009-02, 100,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

22% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 65,401 and 112,334 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (9 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	19	27	22	$3,050
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	17	24	20	$4,100
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	18	23	20	$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

07V087000Mar 7, 2007
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Covers: Saab 9-3 Convertible 2000, 9-5 2001–2005, 9-3 2002–2003
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

Recall details for the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

10029344Feb 1, 2009Equipment, Body and structure. Saab service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Under certain circumstances control module's analogue inputs may produce invalid signal. This means the soft top's control module…

Other model years of the Saab 9-3 Convertible

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2002	9	29,500	1	—	24	—	Not enough data
2001	24	70,500	1	—	22	—	Stable
2000	12	95,000	1	—	22	—	Not enough data
1999	16	76,354	0	—	20	—	Stable

All Saab 9-3 Convertible model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible (9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2000 Saab 9-3 Convertible reported?

Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,000 miles and the middle half falls between 65,401 and 112,334 miles; 22% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.