Problems · NHTSA complaints

2010 Saab 9-3 problems

Owners filed 30 complaints about the 2010 Saab 9-3 with NHTSA between Apr 2011 and Jan 2024. The most-cited component is air bags (22).

Complaints
30
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags22
  2. Fuel system, other2
  3. Engine2
  4. Seat belts2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Vehicle speed control1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20121
20132
20140
20150
201618
20175
20181
20191
20200
20210
20220
20230
20241

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

22 reports1 related recall
“I HAVE CALLED VIKING SAAB AND REGISTERED ON THEIR WEB SITE MONTHS AGO TO HAVE MY AIRBAG REPLACED AS THEY ARE THE ONLY AUTHORIZED SAAB PLACE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, TO REPLACE IT. THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. WHEN I CALLED THERE THEY TOLD ME TO REGISTER ON THEIR WEB SITE. I DID THAT AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2017Air bagsODI 11040772

Fuel system, other

2 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2010 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V015000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately provide fuel level in the vehicle. The contact stated that while the tank was a half tank full, the fuel gauge would drop to 0 gallons. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated with a message indicating a fuel pump failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 104,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2024Fuel system, otherODI 11566115

Engine

2 reports
“HAD A COMPRESSION TEST AFTER WEAK STARTING. ALL 4 CYLINDERS READ 100.NEED VALVE REPLACEMENT AND UNDERSTAND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN 2007-2011 SAAB 4 CYLINDER CARS. NO WARRANTY OR RECALL REGARDING THIS USE OF FLAWED VALVES”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 14, 2018EngineODI 11079175

Seat belts

2 reports1 related recall
“THE NHTSA ANNOUNCED A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NOT RETRACTING. RECALL #14V318000. AS OF 3/10/17, MY 2010 SAAB 9.3 SEDAN IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS THE RECALL BUT, THE RECALL ONLY STIPULATES THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL. MY QUESTION RELATES TO HOW DID THE NHTSA DETERMINE IT WAS ONLY THAT MODEL AND NOT THE OTHERS? RIGHT NOW MY SEATBELT DOESN'T RETRACT WHEN EXTENDED IN THE NORMAL OPERATING EXTENDED POSITION. I FEEL THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY INVOLVE ALL OTHER 2010 MODELS. PLEASE CLARIFY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 5, 2017Seat beltsODI 11052487

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“FUEL PUMP DEFICIENCY. WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO WARM UP BEFORE USING IT I NOTICE AND EAR THAT IT STALL. AFTER A SECOND IT ACCELERATE TO A NORMAL RPM. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE NEW (2010). I NEVER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL NOTICE!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2019Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11185692

Electrical system

1 report
“2010 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL COMPLETED THE KEY WOULD NO LONGER TURN IN THE IGNITION. THE CIM WAS REPLACED AND TWO NEW KEYS WERE HAD TO BE PROGRAMMED. TWO BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE DISCOVERED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COSTS ACCUMULATED FROM HAVING TO PURCHASE A RENTAL VEHICLE. UPDATED 10/03/2017*JS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2017Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11029632
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

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