NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 184 owner complaints for the 2008 Saab 9-3. Most complaints involve air bags (71) and engine (66). The EPA rates it 18–23 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.
“I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn’t have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It’s a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can’t even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.”
“HAD TO HAVE VALVE JOB DONE DUE TO BAD /DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR INTAKE VALVES, FROM MANUFACTURER. HAD TO HAVE ALL INTAKE VALVES REPLACED, WITH MODIFIED/UPGRADED INTAKE VALVES. OBTAINED PO300 - RANDOM MISFIRE CODES, HAD ROUGH IDLE, CHECKED ENGINE COMPRESSION, HAD 45PSIG IN CYLINDER NUMBER 4. ENGINE HAD 72862MILES, ON IT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY SAAB/GM.”
“MY VEHICLE DOESN'T START/IDLE WELL IN THE COLD DUE TO THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS SLOWLY BECOMING LOOSE. **WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING** THE VEHICLE CANNOT HANDLE THE EXTRA UNCLEAN AIR ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND WILL STALL OUT WHILE GOING ANYWHERES FROM 0-60+ MPH, ONCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ALL POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS DOWN. THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SEALS ON THE AIR INTAKE VALVES INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER HAVE BECOME FAULTY RESULTING IN CYLINDER MISFIRES AND A HIGH AMOUNT OF VIBRATION INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE SYMPTOMS COME AND GO WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AS TIME GOES ON. THIS SECONDARY ISSUE TIES INTO THE FIRST ISSUE BECAUSE OF SHIFTING WITH A STANDARD MY VEHICLE TODAY (12/3/2020) SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 7 TIMES TO AND FROM MY JOB.”
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 Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 22 | $3,600 | 404 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,800 | 423 |
| 9-3 Convertible Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,000 | 444 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| 9-3 Convertible Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| 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 Oct 28, 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 184 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (71), engine (66), fuel/propulsion system (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2008 Saab 9-3 at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).