NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 43 owner complaints for the 2009 Saab 9-3. Most complaints involve air bags (17) and engine (12). The EPA rates it 18–22 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 WAS FIRST NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL IN 2016, BUT TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN I GOT THE NOTICE EARLY THIS YEAR THAT PARTS AVAILABLE, I CALLED THE AUTHORIZED DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE. ON ONE OCCASION I SPOKE TO SOMEONE WHO SAID HE WOULD CALL ME BACK BUT NEVER DID, AND WHO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE THE TAMARA AIRBAG (WHICH IT APPEARS IT DOES), AND THAT NOTHING HAD HAPPENED WITH ANY SAAB. HE WAS VERY DISMISSIVE OF THE RISK.”
“MY 2009 SAAB 9-3 STARTED AND RAN FINE ON THE WAY TO WORK, BUT AT LUNCH IT STARTED FOR A COUPLE SECONDS AND SHUT OFF. THE CAR CRANKS, BUT IS AUDIBLY TOO FREE SPINNING. A LOCAL SHOP SAID COMPRESSION IN THE ENGINE WAS VERY LOW, AND AFTER MULTIPLE CALLS IT SEEMS THAT MY CAR HAS THE INFAMOUS "SOFT INTAKE VALVES" PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN A WIDESPREAD PLAGUE FOR THESE CARS FOR MODEL YEARS 07-11. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 78,000 MILES ON IT, AND HAS ALWAYS HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITH THE CORRECT GM SPEC OIL. I WOULD THINK AN ENGINE SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS.”
“I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 SAAB 9-3 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ROUGH RUNNING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. WHEN I START MY CAR UP IN THE MORNING IT RUNS VERY ROUGH. IHAVE GOTTEN IT DIAGNOSED AND IT IS MISFIRING DRAMATICALLY LIKE 6000 ON ONE CYLINDER AND 1081 ON ANOTHER . I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, SEVERAL TIMES, AS HAVING BAD INTAKE VALVES. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE COME TO FIND THIS IS A RATHER COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR QUOTED AT OVER $2500.00. I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH MANUFACTURER RECALLS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT IN ORDER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THERE IS ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!”
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 Convertible Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 404 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 27 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| 9-3 Convertible Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 9-3 Aero SportCombi AWD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| 9-3 Convertible Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 2.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,450 | 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 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 43 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (17), engine (12), fuel/propulsion system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 Saab 9-3 at 18–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).