2011 Saab 9-3 Problems
Compared with other Saab 9-3 years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
27/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.6× 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.
- 1 of its 30 complaints were filed by the end of 2013.
- Most reported part: Air bags (25 complaints, median 96,500 mi).
- 3 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
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
- 90,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 20 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Saab 9-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2011 Saab 9-3. The part named most often is air bags, with 25 complaints (83% of the total), followed by seat belts (3) and brakes (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 90,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 157 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. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the retractor and 1 technical service bulletin 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 27 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than 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 bags25 83%
- Seat belts3 10%
- Brakes1 3.3%
- Engine1 3.3%
- Other or unknown1 3.3%
- Suspension1 3.3%
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall - I was apprised by mail that the airbags on my Saab 9-3 need to be replaced, but that the remedy is not yet available. Eight months have passed and the remedy is still not available. Why must I continue to drive a vehicle with airbags that may cause injury or worse? When will replacement airbags be available?”
NHTSA complaint #10915653, filed 2016-10Seat belts: “Takata recall. The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14v318000 (seat belts) and 16v063000 (air bags) however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the issues. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available and parts distribution disconnect. Updated 02/21/17 updated 03/01/17.”
NHTSA complaint #10937583, filed 2016-12Brakes: “Large sections of the front brake rotors are flaking apart. The rotor surface is reduced to about half of normal and no longer provides safe stopping ability. Stopping distance is significantly increased and safety is severely compromised. Vehicle mileage at time pf problem discovery 14,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10783711, filed 2015-10, 14,000 milesEngine: “The contact owns a 2011 Saab 9-3. The contact detected a strong odor of coolant inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was leaking coolant and screws were missing that connected the transmission to the motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made ware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11151821, filed 2018-11, 120,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
29% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,000 and 103,000 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.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2011 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 4WD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 12.1% risk |
| 9-3 · wagon 4WD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 12.7% risk |
| 9-3 · sedan RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 12.1% risk |
| 9-3 · wagon RWD | not rated | — | — | — | 4 · 12.7% risk |
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2011 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 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 17 | 27 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 9-3 SportCombi FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 21 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 9-3 SportCombi FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
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 2011 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. 157 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
- 11022084Aug 14, 2025Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 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…
- 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 2011 Saab 9-3 have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 2011 Saab 9-3 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2011 Saab 9-3 is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 25 complaints (83% of the total), followed by seat belts with 3.
Has the 2011 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 2011 Saab 9-3 get?
The EPA rates the 2011 Saab 9-3 (9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 28 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 2011 Saab 9-3 reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 90,000 miles and the middle half falls between 75,000 and 103,000 miles; 29% 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.