NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 179 owner complaints for the 2006 Saab 9-3. Most complaints involve air bags (87) and service brakes, hydraulic (23). The EPA rates it 19–23 mpg combined.
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 April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
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 not to retract.
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“Warning message that airbag is not working. Loud hissing sound immediately in front of dashboard, as if air is escaping. We cannot drive the car for fear of the airbag inflating. We are going to have to towed to a repair shop to be fixed and will keep all paperwork.”
“ON JULY 22ND 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 1500 EST, I STARTED MY CAR, A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT SEDAN AND PLACED IT INTO REVERSE TO EXIT MY GARAGE/ DRIVEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. AS I NEARED THE STREET I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW DOWN AND ENTER THE STREET BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TO BE INEFFECTIVE AND I ENDED UP PUTTING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND ENTERING THE STREET AT AN ANGLE. AFTER I HAD STOPPED IN THE STREET I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND SHORTLY (2MIN) I WAS ON MY WAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT TO MY SAAB DEALER, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. DURING THE REST OF THE SUMMER I DROVE THAT CAR I HAD NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. (IT IS MY PARENTS CAR THAT I DROVE WHEN I WAS HOME FOR THE SUMMER). I LATER FOUND OUT THAT MY PARENTS ALSO HAD THIS PROBLEM INTERMITTENTLY SO I BEGAN SEARCHING ONLINE AND FOUND OTHERS THAT HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM AND REFERENCED A REPORT PE08005 WHICH SEEMED TO DESCRIBE MY PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THIS REPORT TO THE SAAB DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NEVER SEEN IT AND COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR”
“HELLO, I HAVE BEEN RENTING THIS CAR OUT FOR AWHILE....I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO RENT IT OUT BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, HOWEVER, I REPAIRED THIS ISSUE MONTHS AGO AND THE DEALER THAT REPAIRED THE PROBLEM HAS SUBMITTED PROOF TO YOU TWICE BUT STILL NO ONE HAS UPDATED THIS TO YOUR WEBSITE AND THIS IS SEVERELY EFFECTING MY CAR RENTAL BUSINESS. PLEASE ADVISE?”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| 9-3 SportCombi Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| 9-3 SportCombi Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 28 | 23 | $3,350 | 386 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 21 | $3,700 | 423 |
| 9-3 Convertible Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,850 | 444 |
| 9-3 Convertible Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-3 SportCombi Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| 9-3 SportCombi Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,050 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 179 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (87), service brakes, hydraulic (23), seat belts (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2006 Saab 9-3 at 19–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).