2010 Saab 9-3 Problems
Compared with other Saab 9-3 years
Typical for this model
45/100 0.9× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.9× that of a typical Saab 9-3 year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 2 of its 30 complaints were filed by the end of 2012.
- Most reported part: Air bags (22 complaints, median 52,000 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Saab 9-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2010 Saab 9-3. The part named most often is air bags, with 22 complaints (73% of the total), followed by fuel system (3) and engine (2). 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 44% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 232 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the inflator module and 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel pump and 13 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 3 Saab 9-3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 45 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Air bags22 73%
- Fuel system3 10%
- Engine2 6.7%
- Seat belts2 6.7%
- Electrical system1 3.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 3.3%
Example complaints
Air bags: “I have called viking Saab and registered on their web site months ago to have my airbag replaced as they are the only authorized Saab place in houston, texas, to replace it. They have not contacted me. I don't know what else to do. When I called there they told me to register on their web site. I did that and nothing has happened.”
NHTSA complaint #11040772, filed 2017-10, 52,000 milesFuel system: “Fuel pump deficiency. When I start the car in the morning to warm up before using it I notice and ear that it stall. After a second it accelerate to a normal RPM. It happens all the time since new (2010). I never received a fuel pump recall notice!”
NHTSA complaint #11185692, filed 2019-03Engine: “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 noise or warning. There was half a tank of gas. …”
NHTSA complaint #10495004, filed 2013-01, 12,000 milesSeat belts: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10492375, filed 2013-01, 10,500 milesMileage when problems were reported
44% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 66,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Saab 9-3. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 · sedan FWD/AWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 12.1% risk |
| 9-3 Wagon · sedan FWD/AWD | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | 4 · 12.7% risk |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2010 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,750 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 9-3 SportCombi FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 31 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 9-3 SportCombi FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
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
- 16V063000Feb 3, 2016Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator moduleCovers: Saab 9-3 2006–2011, 9-5 2006–2009, Saturn Astra 2008–2009
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…
- 14V318000Jun 12, 2014Seat belts › Front › RetractorCovers: Saab 9-3 2004–2011
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…
- 11V015000Jan 19, 2011Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Saab 9-3 2010–2011
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.
Recall details for the 2010 Saab 9-3 → · 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. 232 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
- 11023091Sep 9, 2025Other or unknown. New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- 11021792Aug 7, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11019693Jun 9, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Other model years of the Saab 9-3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 30 | 90,000 | 3 | — | 23 | 27 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2010 | 30 | 50,000 | 3 | — | 23 | 45 · Typical | Rising |
| 2009 | 43 | 66,250 | 2 | — | 22 | 55 · Typical | Stable |
| 2008 | 184 | 76,000 | 2 | — | 20 | 88 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 155 | 64,000 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2006 | 179 | 40,000 | 2 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2005 | 95 | 60,000 | 2 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2004 | 207 | 72,000 | 5 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 212 | 49,000 | 4 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 37 | 63,000 | 4 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 59 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 50 | 93,559 | 2 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 64 | 79,570 | 3 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
All Saab 9-3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2010 Saab 9-3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Saab 9-3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 22 complaints (73% of the total), followed by fuel system with 3.
Has the 2010 Saab 9-3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Saab 9-3 get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Saab 9-3 (9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Saab 9-3 reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 50,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 66,000 miles; 44% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.