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Saab 9-3 safety recalls

Every road vehicle recall DVSA lists for the Saab 9-3 since 1992: what the problem is, how it is put right, how many vehicles it covers and when they were built. Newest first.

Recalls for the Saab 9-3. Also see car recalls by year and make.

Last updated
Records analysed
10 recalls matched to this model
Methodology
View methodology
  • Recalls since 1992 10 launched 2002 to 2010
  • Most recent 3 December 2010 DVSA recall R/2010/213
  • Recalls 2016 to 2025 0 launched in those ten years
  • Busiest year 2002 2 recalls launched

Does a recall affect your Saab 9-3?

Not every Saab 9-3 is affected. Each recall covers cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, which DVSA’s file does not list in full. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check with its registration, or ask the manufacturer or a dealer, who can check the VIN.

Saab 9-3 recalls by year

Recalls launched each year, 2002 to 2026

2002 had the most, with 2. A count of recalls is not a measure of safety: one recall can cover a handful of cars or tens of thousands.

Saab 9-3 safety recalls by year of launch
Year Recalls
’02 2
’03 1
’04 1
’05 2
’06 2
’07 1
’08 0
’09 0
’10 1
’11 0
’12 0
’13 0
’14 0
’15 0
’16 0
’17 0
’18 0
’19 0
’20 0
’21 0
’22 0
’23 0
’24 0
’25 0
’26 0

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Every Saab 9-3 recall, newest first

2010 1 recall

Right hand front seat may not lock correctly

Launched 3 December 2010 DVSA recall R/2010/213 Manufacturer ref. 15027

Defect
It has been established that due to a process problem at a sub supplier the right hand side front seat recliner mechanism may fail. This will result in that the back-rest can't be moved back into the locking position. The condition is very obvious but if ignored and the vehicle is involved in a crash the seat belt which is integral to the seat structure will not restrain the occupant as designed.
Remedy
The seat should be inspected and if necessary replaced.
Vehicles affected
121 9-3 vehicles
Built
Build dates not given

2007 1 recall

Handbrake may fail

Launched 17 December 2007 DVSA recall R/2007/170

Defect
It has been identified that due to a manufacturing deviation the handbrake cables on certain 9-3s may deform under load. Should this occur a reduced or non-existent handbrake force will ensue.
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will have the handbrake cables replaced with quality assured items.
Vehicles affected
320 9-3 vehicles
Built
Build dates not given

2006 2 recalls

Reduced braking performance

Launched 17 May 2006 DVSA recall R/2006/047 Manufacturer ref. 15019

Defect
It has been identified that under certain conditions a valve within the brake servo may have a shortened service life due to high ambient and engine bay temperatures. This could affect the functioning of the servo resulting in reduced braking performance
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will have the subject valve checked and replaced if necessary.
Vehicles affected
21,613 9-3 vehicles
Built
1 Jul 2002 to 30 Mar 2005

Rear axle hub may not be to specification

Launched 3 January 2006 DVSA recall R/2005/167 Manufacturer ref. 15022

Defect
The hardening process applied to the rear wheel bearing inner ring may be incorrect. There is a possibility that a rumbling noise may become apparent which if not checked could in extreme circumstances result in the detachment of the hub and severely impaired road holding/handling.
Remedy
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and check the date stamp on the rear wheel hubs. Where necessary replace the hub bearing assembly.
Vehicles affected
571 9-3 vehicles
Built
Build dates not given

2005 2 recalls

Fuel pump mounted pipe retaining tabs may fail

Launched 4 May 2005 DVSA recall R/2005/021 Manufacturer ref. 15018

Defect
The fuel pipe plastic retaining tabs mounted on the fuel pump may fail and possibly result in a fuel leak.
Remedy
Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and install a new securing bracket made of steel to hold the fuel pipes in place.
Vehicles affected
7,124 9-3 vehicles
Built
1 Feb 2001 to 1 Feb 2002

Seat belt may not retract

Launched 4 February 2005 DVSA recall R/2004/186

Defect
The front seat belt retractors may malfunction with the effect that the spooled out portion of the webbing will not retract.
Remedy
Recalled vehicles will have the seat front seat belts replaced.
Vehicles affected
9,322 9-3 vehicles
Built
1 Oct 2003 to 1 Oct 2004

2004 1 recall

Possible fault in the locking mechanism of the front seat recliner.

Launched 10 March 2004 DVSA recall R/2003/181 Manufacturer ref. 15014

Defect
The front seat recliner locking mechanism could have abnormal free play which may result in an unsatisfactory locking function. Because the seat belt is integrated in the seat back failure of the locking mechanism would affect the crash safety protection.
Remedy
Check the front seat production number and where necessary install a new seat assembly.
Vehicles affected
1,279 9-3 vehicles
Built
Build dates not given

2003 1 recall

Detachable tow bar may become insecure.

Launched 10 January 2003 DVSA recall R/2003/005 Manufacturer ref. 15011

Defect
Under certain conditions the detachable tow bar may work loose resulting in the tow bar becoming detached from the vehicle.
Remedy
Replace the tow ball and housing with a calibrated unit.
Vehicles affected
596 across everything the recall covers
Built
Build dates not given
Also covers

2002 2 recalls

Towball came adrift from towbar

Launched 11 July 2002 DVSA recall R/2002/093 Manufacturer ref. 15008

Defect
A combination of internal and external forces caused the towball to prematurely detach itself from the towball housing resulting in separation of the trailer from the drawing unit.
Remedy
All towballs and housing will initially be modified and then replaced with calibrated units at a later date.
Vehicles affected
596 across everything the recall covers
Built
Build dates not given
Also covers

Possible contamination of brake fluid

Launched 25 June 2002 DVSA recall R/2002/058 Manufacturer ref. 15009

Defect
As a result of a production process concern a specific batch of brake calliper pistons may release hot hydrogen gas into the braking system fluid.
Remedy
Affected vehicles are being recalled for a check on the brake calliper batch numbers. Vehicles equipped with calliper units from the affected batch will have these replaced with quality assured examples.
Vehicles affected
405 9-3 vehicles
Built
Build dates not given

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Safety recalls Vehicle safety recalls Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		January 1992 to September 2026 10 recalls matched to this model 15 September 2026
  • Road vehicle recalls (DVSA numbers starting R/) whose model names match the Saab 9-3. DVSA records some recalls under a range or chassis name we cannot match, so this list may be incomplete.
  • Vehicles affected is the number the manufacturer reported to DVSA. When one recall covers several models, DVSA often gives only the total.
  • Build dates are the periods the manufacturer gave. Some recalls have none. VINs are not shown.
  • Concerns written in capitals have been put in sentence case, and apostrophes lost in DVSA’s file have been put back. The text is otherwise DVSA’s.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.