RoadVitals

2004 Saab 9-3 Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Mar 27, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 207 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
6

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Saab 9-3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2018

TAKATA RECALL - GM DEALERS ADVISE MY CAR NOT AFFECTED BUT ON RECALL WEBSITES MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 AERO IS SHOWN TO HAVE A TAKATA AIR BAG.

NHTSA ID
11081728
Incident
Jul 15, 2017
Mileage
95,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 17, 2018

AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT

NHTSA ID
11079992
Incident
Jan 12, 2018
Mileage
180,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 4, 2016

TAKATA RECALL? MY CAR KEEPS GIVING ME THE FOLLOWING ALERT: AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. HOW CAN I VERIFY IT IS PART OF THE RECALL?

NHTSA ID
10893219
Incident
Jul 13, 2016
Mileage
79,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jul 5, 2016

SAAB RECALL. I RECEIVED BOTH SEAT BELT RETRACTOR AND AIRBAG INFLATE DEFECT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. HOWEVER, IN MY CAR THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR MALFUNCTION IS IN THE DRIVER SIDE. I HAVE CALLED THE SAAB OFFICIAL SERVICE CENTER AND THE DEALER FOR BOTH PROBLEMS SEVERAL DAYS UP TODAY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ANSWER OR SOLUTION TO THOSE PROBLEMS. BESIDES, I HAVE TRIED TO REPAIR THE SEAT BELT, BUT I CAN'T FIND THE PART. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE ATTACHED PHOTOS TO DRIVE WITH A SEAT BELT IN THAT CONDITIONS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT I AM NOT SAFE DRIVING MY CAR, AND THAT THE HAZARD HAS INCREASED WITH THIS CAR'S AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I AM A 79 YEARS OLD MAN WHO HAS THIS CAR AS THE ONLY MEAN OF TRANSPORTATION THAT I HAVE.

NHTSA ID
10882779
Incident
Feb 13, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jun 27, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10876736
Incident
Mar 23, 2016
Airbags
Filed Jun 15, 2016

2004 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVER AIRBAG INFLATOR RECALL NOTICE. *SMD

NHTSA ID
10875104
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 17, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10865396
Incident
Mar 31, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED WERE UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
10864436
Incident
Mar 4, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) IN MARCH OF 2016. THE CONTACT CALLED SAAB TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE NOTIFICATION WAS SENT BY MISTAKE AND THE VIN WAS NO LONGER INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD RECEIVE A SECOND NOTICE. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS COULD POTENTIALLY DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10863998
Incident
Mar 11, 2016
Airbags
Filed Apr 12, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: I CONTACTED MY DEALER AS INSTRUCTED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE ARE NO PARTS AND NO INFORMATION AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. I ASKED THEM TO DISCONNECT MY SEEMINGLY MURDEROUS AIRBAG AND THEY SAID IT WAS ILLEGAL. WHY IS IT NOT ILLEGAL TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME TO REPAIR SOMETHING THAT IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS OR EVEN FATAL? I BELIEVE TAKATA SHOULD OFFER RENTAL CARS TO THOSE WAITING AND IF THEY HAD TO ASSUME THAT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY THEY MAY COME UP WITH THE REPAIR PARTS FASTER. IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO ADDRESS THIS SITUATION? IS ANY ACTION BEING TAKEN TO MOTIVATE TAKATA TO DEAL WITH THIS IN A MORE EFFICIENT MANNER? EVEN IF I WERE TO SELL THE CAR, THE RECALL WOULD MAKE IT UNWANTED BY ANY CUSTOMER. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THIS.

NHTSA ID
10855050
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Apr 7, 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/26/16*LJ UPDATED 06/14/16.*JB

NHTSA ID
10854013
Incident
Feb 3, 2016
Airbags
Filed Apr 6, 2016

TAKATA INFLATORS: I RECENTLY RECEIVED MY SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR THE DRIVER AIRBAG DEFECT IN MY 2004 SAAB 9-3. I UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THAT THE REPAIR PARTS FOR THIS DEFECT ARE CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THE SEVERE IMPLICATIONS TO THIS DEFECT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TALKED TO MY CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SUGGESTED I REACH OUT TO YOU BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ISSUE ME A WRITTEN APPROVAL TO AUTHORIZE THEM TO DISCONNECT THE AIR BAG TO REMOVE THE RISKS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IN THE PAST THEY HAVE RECEIVED REQUESTS TO DISCONNECT PASSENGER AIRBAGS WHEN SOMEONE NEEDED TO USE A CAR SEAT AND THEY DID NOT WANT THE AIRBAG TO EXPLODE ON IMPACT. THIS IS A SIMILAR SITUATION, WHERE I DO NOT WANT THE AIRBAG TO EXPLODE ON IMPACT DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART. SINCE YOU ARE UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY, AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR, I CANNOT BE DRIVING A CAR THAT CAN CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH IF I WERE TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT. THEREFORE, THE ONLY OPTION IS TO DISCONNECT THE HAZARD SO THE CAR CAN STILL BE SAFELY DRIVEN. THE SEATBELT IS IN PLACE, ALONG WITH SIDE AIRBAGS FOR SAFETY. ONCE YOU HAVE SUPPLIED THE PARTS TO FIX THE AIRBAG, THEN IT CAN BE INSTALLED AND RECONNECTED. THANK YOU, *TR

NHTSA ID
10853718
Incident
Mar 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Apr 27, 2012
Crash reported

SAAB 9-3 REAR ENDED A DODGE SPRINTER VAN AT ~5MPH AND PASSENGER AB DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SEAT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. VEHICLE NORMALLY DISPLAYS SEAT BELT WARNING WHEN SEAT HAS A HEAVY BAG (OR PASSENGER) IN IT AND WARNING WAS NOT DISPLAYED. ONLY EXTERIOR DAMAGE WAS TO FRONT FASCIA. NO DAMAGE TO HOOD OR EITHER QUARTER PANEL. ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT A 3 WAY INTERSECTION WITH A YIELD SIGN. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF SAAB STARTED TO PROCEED AND THEN ABRUPTLY STOPPED. DRIVER OF THE SAAB WAS LOOKING BEHIND THEM TO INSURE TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR, LOOKED UP TO NOTICE VEHICLE IN FRONT HAD STOPPED, AND SLAMMED ON BRAKES. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT (DODGE SPRINTER VAN) DID HAVE A LARGE TOW HITCH WITH A SMALL ALUMINUM DIAMOND PLATE STEP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10456675
Incident
Apr 23, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 8, 2011

THE SIDE SEAM OF THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TORE WITH OUT WARNING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG IS LOCATED HERE AND MAY BECOME EXPOSED IN A DANGEROUS MANOR. CAR HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. DRIVER IS NOT OVERWEIGHT/FAT. THIS IS UNSAFE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER CARS AND SEATS SHOULD NOT TEAR WHERE AIR BAG IS LOCATED. THIS IS DEFECT. GM WILL NOT REPAIR, "CAR OUT OF WARRANTY". INDEPENDENT SHOP WILL NOT STITCH "LIABILITY CONCERN DUE TO AIRBAG". HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10411564
Incident
Jul 6, 2011
Mileage
39,900 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 15, 2009
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH; HOWEVER, HIS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THE DRIVER AND HIS SPOUSE COMPLAINED OF ACHES AND PAINS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN

NHTSA ID
10265421
Incident
Apr 14, 2009
Mileage
42,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 29, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. THAT ACCIDENT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER ALL THE SEAT BELT SENSORS AND FRY THE MAIN COMPUTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236205
Incident
Jul 25, 2008
Mileage
111,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 24, 2005
1 injury reported

AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT AND NO IMPACT ROLL BARS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT AND NO IMPACT/CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS NOT DOWN. BARND NEW SAAB 9.3 CAR TOWED TO DEALER/CORPORATE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY OWNER OF CAR/NO RESPONSE FROM CARPORATE FOR ONE WEEK. CAR STILL AT DEALER WITH NO ANSWERS OR REASONS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS AND ROLLBARS. POLICE TOWED VEHICLE/NO REPORT/NO ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
10126466
Incident
Jun 19, 2005
Mileage
5,000 mi
AirbagsEngine
Filed Mar 16, 2005
Crash reported1 injury reported

OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE "B" REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND RELEASED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10115268
Incident
Mar 15, 2005
Mileage
15,123 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 3, 2004

AIR BAG CAN DISCHARGED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE AIR BAGS TO BE DISCONNECTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO PREVIOUS INJURIES. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10107060
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Airbags
Filed Nov 1, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL." I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY YET THE PASSENGER SIDE DID. IT WAS A TOTAL FRONT COLLISION IN WHICH I HIT A FORD ECONOLINE VAN IN THE REAR END AND WAS DRIVING AT THE SPEED OF APPROX 50 KPH. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I WAS DRIVING AND BELTED YET MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL THE MECHANICS THAT SAW THE CAR AND HEARD OF THE ACCIDENT COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT TO OFF. THERE WAS OVER $17,000 IN DAMAGE TO THE CAR AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A GM ENGINEER CAME OUT AND CHECKED OUT THE BLACK BOX ON THE MY CAR, IT WAS ALSO FAULTY AND WAS UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH HIS COMPUTER." PLEASE SEND COPY OF THE PICTURES YOU E-MAILED BACK WITH YOUR COMPLAINT FORM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10099093
Incident
Sep 30, 2004

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .