Problems · by component

2008 Saab 9-3 air bags problems

71 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Saab 9-3 cite air bags, 39% of all 184 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
71
39% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Electrical system, Air bags, Seat beltsODI 11746834
“Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 6, 2025Air bagsODI 11703471
“The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2024Air bagsODI 11611827
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 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 CONTACT CALLED VICTORY CHEVROLET CADILLAC AT (707) 776-6385 (1360 AUTO CENTER DR, PETALUMA, CA). THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED MARIN MAZDA AT (415) 454-7000 (807 FRANCISCO BLVD, SAN RAPHAEL, CA). BOTH DEALERS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 2, 2018Air bagsODI 11058136
“I GOT MY AIRBAGS REPAIRED AND RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING I WOULD RECEIVE A $25 MASTERCARD FOR GETTING THE REPAIR DONE. I TRIED TO GO TO THE WEBSITE AND IT IS NOT A FUNCTIONING WEBSITE. AFTER TAKING HOURS TO GET THE REPAIR DONE, NOW THIS. THE WEBSITE LISTED WAS WWW.TAKATAREPAIR.COM/SAAB. I JUST WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE OF THIS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON. PLEASE ADVISE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2017Air bagsODI 11033437
“TAKATA RECALL I RECEIVED A NOTICE REFERENCING MY 2008 SAAB 9-3, INDICATING PARTS WERE AVAILABLE AND I WOULD BE ABLE TO SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED MURDOCK CHEVROLET BUICK GMC, THE AGENCY LISTED ON THE NOTICE, AND THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME THIS MORNING. WHEN I ARRIVED, THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE PARTS AND SHOWED ME IN THEIR SYSTEM THAT BASED ON MY VIN NO PARTS WERE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. THE FACT THEY SET THE APPOINTMENT IS THEIR MISTAKE, BUT IT SEEMED REASONABLY CLEAR THAT THIS CADILLAC DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE PARTS NEEDED. SO THE STATEMENT THAT 'AIRBAG INFLATOR PARTS ARE READY '' WAS INCORRECT. PLEASE CLARIFY HOW I CAN REASONABLY GET MY SAAB FIXED. I LIVE IN NORTHERN UTAH SO DEALERSHIPS THAT CAN PROVIDE THIS SERVICE ARE LIMITED. THE NOTICED CARRIED A COPYRIGHT MARKING FROM GENERAL MOTORS, AND THE LOGOS OF THE NHTSA AND THE USDOT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2017Air bagsODI 11032892

Showing 6 of 71 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 3, 2016NHTSA 16V063000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2008 9-3 problem areas