How many recalls does the 2000 Saab 9-3 have?

The 2000 Saab 9-3 has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2000 Saab 9-3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2000 Saab 9-3?

Of 72 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is electrical system.

2000 Saab 9-3 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2000 Saab 9-3 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 146,275 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 05V399000 2005-09-14 103,202 affected

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.

Consequence

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO…

AIR BAGS 01V168000 2001-05-18 43,073 affected

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT…

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

AIR BAGS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

SEAT BELTS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Total complaints72

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then blam! Temperature was moderate, where as…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2024-07-22

“The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then blam! Temperature was moderate, where as…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2024-07-22

“The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then blam! Temperature was moderate, where as…”

SEATS · reported 2024-07-22

“In neutral parked in traffic at a red light / intersection waiting for green, the driver side airbag in my seat deployed/ exploded causing injury and bruising to left arm.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-07-11

“I got into my parked vehicle as normal, closed the door and fastened my seatbelt. I then depressed the clutch pedal and inserted the key into the ignition. As I turned the key to start the car, the drivers seat side impact airbag deployed spontaneously causing temporary loss of hearing, a ringing…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2018-09-26

“While parked and with the engine running the driver's seat airbag spontaneously deployed.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2017-08-23

“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 saab saab 9-3. The contact stated that the back passenger side air bag deployed without any rear impact or warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 92,000.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2016-09-19

“I was returning from three days of air travel and reached my car which was parked in a secure corporate airport parking lot with no other cars around it. I placed my luggage in the trunk, entered the car and put on my seat belt. I started the car; it started normally with no warnings or anything…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2015-10-02