2004 Saab 9-3 Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 79about this part
- Share
- 38%of 207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 79 complaints about the seat belts of the 2004 Saab 9-3, 38% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I got in the car to leave for work and when I put my seat belt on it came completely out and now won't retract. I found out there is a GM recall for this issue but all the GM service centers near me refuse to work on Saab vehicles. The nearest Saab service center I can find is approximately 110 miles from my home and I don't feel safe driving that distance with a malfunctioning seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #10513243, filed 2013-05, 130,994 miles“I drive a 2004 9-3 arc convertible. I pulled the driver side seatbelt to clip in and the retractor failed to retract. The driver side seat belt is now non-functional as it is completely extended. This is the same problem described in NHTSA recall campaign#10v043000 for Saab 9-3 2004 sedans. The dealership said that it only covers sedans and not convertibles, however this is the exact same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10551942, filed 2013-11, 140,585 miles“I was getting out of my driver side seat belt and it unwound all the way out and now will not retract at all. I found on line that there was a recall for this exact thing on my year and make of car but my VIN# seems to not be included. Recall #42582- seat belts: front retractor. This is a $550 dealer service charge and I can not afford to fix this myself. How could this be? Exact problem exact year make and model??”
NHTSA complaint #10520148, filed 2013-06, 89,000 miles“I got into my car and the drivers side seat belt would not go tight and kept coming out until it is now all the way out. I called Saab USA about a recall I found for 2004 Saab seat belts. I was told that is only for sedans and did not cover my car since it's not a sedan. This makes no sense and of course is very dangerous. I will be following up with the local dealer, Saab USA and NHTSA as this is clearly a major safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10546566, filed 2013-10, 80,102 milesRelated recalls
- 14V318000Jun 12, 2014General 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…Covers: Saab 9-3 2004–2011
- 10V043000Feb 18, 2010General 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…Covers: Saab 9-3 2004
- 04V226000May 11, 2004Some sport sedans were built with seat belt retractors that were damaged during the manufacturing process. If damaged, over time, the automatic tensioning…Covers: Saab 9-3 2003–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10014595Jan 13, 2005Seat belt retractors that may have been damaged during the supplier's manufacturing processing. Recall campaign 15017 front seat belt replacement.
- 10012455Oct 1, 2004Replacement of front seat belt.
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 10% |
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 5% |
| 2006 | 15 | 8% |
| 2005 | 22 | 23% |
| 2004 | 79 | 38% |
| 2003 | 12 | 6% |
| 2002 | 3 | 8% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Saab 9-3
52 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Saab 9-3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology