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Saab 9-3Model year report

2004 Saab 9-3 Problems

Complaints
207filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
72,000miles, 168 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Saab 9-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the driver's side front seat belt going slack after a pop or snap and then refusing to retract, and about front coil springs breaking and coming into contact with the front tires. Both come up across a wide mileage range, and in many cases owners say they were told their VIN was outside a related recall or extended warranty. The remaining reports are mostly electrical: stalling or a no-start condition, a dark instrument panel, rear lamp circuit board failures and blower motor faults.

  1. Seat belts

    Driver seat belt won't retract (retractor)

    • 63 complaints (30%)
    • median 85,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (53 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $541 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2024

    Owners describe the driver's side front seat belt suddenly going loose, often with a loud pop or snap heard from the B-pillar, after which the webbing will not retract and hangs fully extended. Some noticed the belt retracting slowly before it failed. According to the complaints, dealers replaced the retractor or the whole belt assembly, and in many cases owners say the dealer or the manufacturer told them their VIN was not included in the retractor recalls, so the repair cost was quoted to them at several hundred dollars. Reported from very low mileage up to about 164,000 miles, with many clustered between roughly 45,000 and 115,000 miles; often first noticed at a stop or while fastening the belt.

    Recall 04V226000Recall 10V043000Recall 14V318000

    What to check: Pull the driver's belt out fully and let it go; it should retract quickly and smoothly. Ask for the recall history for this VIN on campaigns 04V226000, 10V043000 and 14V318000, and get any completed retractor repair in writing.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Seat belt has released into my lap as I came to a stop and will not retract. Very dangerous issue!!! I'm glad I wasn't in an accident because the seat belt is worthless. This is a recall item on 2004 Saab's but the recall doesn't reach to my VIN #.”

    NHTSA complaint #10553243, filed 2013-11, 115,684 miles

    “On, 8/18/2009 as I was driving I heard something snap in the driver's side b-pillar trim at this same moment my seatbelt went completely loose. It will no longer retract, the belt pulls out freely with no resistance and is now completely out and will not retract. In the event of an evasive maneuver/crash I (the driver) will not be held into the seat properly and risk being ejected from the vehicle. There is currently a recall in the 03/04 Saab 9-3's for the front seatbelt retractors. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10280863, filed 2009-08, 73,000 miles
  2. Suspension

    Front coil springs break, sometimes puncturing tire

    • 40 complaints (19%)
    • median 62,500 mi at 6.1 yrs old (38 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $815 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2007–2016

    Complaints describe a loud bang or crack from the front end and a broken front coil spring whose fractured end rubs against or pierces the front tire, in some cases causing a blowout while driving. Shops quoted replacement of both front springs, struts and an alignment, and some owners mention a manufacturer extended warranty on the springs that did not cover their mileage. Several owners say there was no warning before the spring broke. Mostly between about 45,000 and 140,000 miles, several of them at highway speed with no prior symptoms.

    What to check: Inspect both front springs near their lower seats for cracks, rust-through or a missing piece of coil, and check the inner sidewall of the front tires for rub marks. Ask whether the front springs and struts have already been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “After noticing an increasingly loud suspension clunk coming from the drivers side front wheel. I brought the car into the Saab dealership for service, I was told that the front spring was snapped and both front needed to be replaced as the car was no longer safe to drive. After further investigation on the web I have found there are similar problems with the springs for this year and model, I was lucky that I did not experience and failure at high speed as some others have. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10260633, filed 2009-03, 53,000 miles

    “Driver side front coil spring broke while driving my 2004 Saab 9-3 on the highway at over 50 MPH. Caused significant strut damage and rattling over the next few days as I was working to schedule in a mechanic visit. They finally quoted me $930 in repairs to replace both front springs, struts and to perform an alignment. Apparently, a lot of other saabs of the same model has had this issue arise for them, I think the springs should be recalled. It is a significant safety issue.”

    NHTSA complaint #10296720, filed 2009-12, 49,875 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Stalling and no-restart after electrical faults

    • 9 complaints (4%)
    • median 15,123 mi at 1.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2003–2016

    Owners report the engine quitting while driving, sometimes right after braking and with a traction-control warning light, and then cranking but not starting. In some complaints the dealer pointed to a main control module, and one owner describes having to disconnect and reconnect the battery to reset the car so it would start again. A related report describes the steering wheel lock not releasing, so the key would not turn. Spread from a few thousand miles to about 115,000 miles, with some occurring within the first two years of ownership.

    What to check: Ask whether the car has ever failed to restart or needed a battery disconnect to reset, and whether any control module or the ignition and steering lock has been replaced. A scan for stored fault codes before purchase is worth the cost.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “My car stalls while accelerating or deacelerating and the cannot be restarted. Dealer now has the auto and has indicated it is the main module and cannot be repaired. The car is a 2004 Saab convertible 2.0t 9 3. The car was leased on april 23, 2004. Although the manurfacturer's warranty indicates repair or replace, the dealer does not want to replace the vehicle. They actually would like me to have the lease terminated and to roll the last three payments into a new lease with a new car.”

    NHTSA complaint #10163020, filed 2006-07, 31,224 miles

    “Car instrumentation panel turns off while driving. Car acts as if it was off with the red circular alarm flashing, console lights off, clock off, yet I am driving at 50 MPH and the brakes, steering are performing as if I was driving down the road (as I am). Stopped for dinner came out and car did not turn on, light came on, engine light came on but nothing else - could not open trunk from the key fob thing or from the driver side door switch. Called aaa they could not turn the car on and the car battery was charged. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10320599, filed 2010-03, 115,000 miles
  4. Electrical system

    Dash lights, rear lamp board and blower faults

    Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

    Complaints describe the instrument panel and console lights going dark while the car is being driven, and rear lamp circuit board failures where bulbs fail one after another or stay lit with the car switched off and locked; one owner had the board replaced twice at over $700 each time. Others report the cabin blower running with the key removed or making noise behind the glove box, which a dealer described as normal wear. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 115,000 miles, with several occurring in the first few years of ownership.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: With the car off and locked, check that all rear lamps and the high-mount brake light are dark, then start the car and confirm every dash and console light works. Listen for blower noise with the climate control on and off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2004 9-3 convertible, aero. Had developed a sound from the fan behind the glove box. Usually begins to get louder when A/C is on. Taken to my local dealership where I informed it was normal wear & tear. Cost to fix was estimated at 500.00. This is my third Saab convertible and it's only problem after 100, 000 miles.”

    NHTSA complaint #10242381, filed 2008-09, 99,999 miles

    “Interior cabin fan.. The fan stays on although the car is off (key out of ignition), and while AC or heat are off (at 0). There is also a noise at time coming from the fan under the glove box. Dealer claims this is not a defect and will cost around $1000, the darn car is less than 3.5 years old and not a defect.. Sure.”

    NHTSA complaint #10214628, filed 2008-01, 62,000 miles

Buying note. On this model year, spend time on the seat belt retractors and the front springs, since those are what owners write about most, and confirm by VIN which recalls and any spring coverage apply. Electrical faults are less common but check the dash, lamps and starting behavior on a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 207 consumer complaints for the 2004 Saab 9-3. 168 of the complaints include a mileage, and 26% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 72,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 8 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 77 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Steering (4), Tires (4), Engine (3), Equipment (3), Seats (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Body and structure (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Seat belts: “Driver's seat belt will not retract. After googling I read that there are 2 recalls on the Saab 9-3 2004 driver side seat belt retractors not working. Today I was told by the dealer currently servicing Saab's (jim ellis mazda) that this VIN is not included. If that is true, the recall needs to be extended to other VIN's since this one failed too. Please help!!!!!!”

NHTSA complaint #10595949, filed 2014-06, 94,000 miles

Suspension: “I was traveling at 50mph when I heard a loud pop from the front suspension. After the pop the front end would rattle over bumps. Upon further inspection I discovered the front right coil spring had cracked. After looking at the spring more I found another crack in the same spring.”

NHTSA complaint #10560252, filed 2014-01, 97,000 miles

Air bags: “On july 25 2008, my daughter was driving my 2004 Saab 9-3 sport sedan. She went off the road, side swiping 2 trees before slamming into a drainage pipe/embankment. The left side curtain airbags were the only ones that deployed. The car is a total loss with extensive front-end damage. If not for her wearing her seat belt, I would likely be making funeral arrangements. This is the second front-end collision with this vehicle without the airbags deploying. I questioned Saab in 2004 about the first incident which their reply was that the car performed as it was designed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10236205, filed 2008-07, 111,000 miles

Electrical system: “I have a 9-3 Saab everytime I stop and turn car off when I get back in a put key in I get a steering wheel lock contact Saab dealer it won't even let me turn the key I have the car for about years and now it's doing this I have to disconnect the battery and reconnect for the computer reset and restart me car can you help me with this thank you .....”

NHTSA complaint #10809960, filed 2015-12, 146,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

26% of the 168 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 49,875 and 100,000 miles.

8%0–103%10–2514%25–5028%50–7521%75–10021%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (168 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 72,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’04’0730’10’13’16’19’24
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 2004 Saab 9-3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
9-3 Convertible FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192722$3,750
9-3 Convertible FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual182822$3,750
9-3 Convertible FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed automatic172620$4,100
9-3 Sport Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual203024$2,800
9-3 Sport Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,750
9-3 Sport Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192722$3,050
9-3 Sport Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual182521$3,900
9-3 Sport Sedan FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed automatic182721$3,900

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

Recall details for the 2004 Saab 9-3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 77 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 77 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saab 9-3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20113090,0003—2327 · FewerFalling
20103050,0003—2345 · TypicalRising
20094366,2502—2255 · TypicalStable
200818476,0002—2088 · MoreFalling
200715564,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200617940,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059560,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200420772,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200321249,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20023763,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20015972,0004—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20005093,5592—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19996479,5703—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Saab 9-3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

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

Owners of this model year most often write about the driver's side front seat belt going slack after a pop or snap and then refusing to retract, and about front coil springs breaking and coming into contact with the front tires. The issues reported most often: Driver seat belt won't retract (retractor); Front coil springs break, sometimes puncturing tire; Stalling and no-restart after electrical faults.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA recorded 207 consumer complaints for the 2004 Saab 9-3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Saab 9-3 is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 79 complaints (38% of the total), followed by suspension with 52.

Has the 2004 Saab 9-3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Saab 9-3 get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Saab 9-3 (9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Saab 9-3 reported?

Among the 168 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 72,000 miles and the middle half falls between 49,875 and 100,000 miles; 26% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.