Saab

9-3

Midsize Cars · model years 1999 to 2012

Includes 9-3, 9-3 Convertible and 9-3 Sedan AWD as listed by the EPA.

See all 62 9-3 trims

The verdict

Best year: 2012. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 50; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2004. complaints: 207, about 5.6x this model's typical 37; recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Saab 9-3
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1999	6Gas	20	$3,300	3	80	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28%, AIR BAGS 22%, SEAT BELTS 7%
complaints: 80, above this model's typical 75 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 53 of 100, where higher is better.
2000	8Gas	21	$3,300	3	62	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%, AIR BAGS 17%
complaints: 62, below this model's typical 99 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 11 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 61 of 100, where higher is better.
2001	8Gas	21.5	$3,225	4	83	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 31%, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 19%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 17%
complaints: 83, below this model's typical 99 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 41 of 100, where higher is better.
2002	4Gas	22.5	$3,425	4	46	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 26%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%, POWER TRAIN 10%
complaints: 46, below this model's typical 50 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better.
2003	2Gas	22	$3,500	4	212	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, SUSPENSION 14%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 212, about 8.5x this model's typical 25 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 8 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	3Gas	22	$3,500	5	207	SEAT BELTS 35%, SUSPENSION 23%, AIR BAGS 9%
complaints: 207, about 5.6x this model's typical 37 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 4 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	2Gas	20.5	$3,775	2	95	SUSPENSION 26%, SEAT BELTS 20%, AIR BAGS 11%
complaints: 95, about 3.8x this model's typical 25 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 19 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	19.5	$3,950	2	179	AIR BAGS 39%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%, SEAT BELTS 7%
complaints: 179, about 3.6x this model's typical 50 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	20	$3,550	2	155	AIR BAGS 37%, SUSPENSION 14%, ENGINE 10%
complaints: 155, about 3.1x this model's typical 50 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	4Gas	19.5	$3,950	2	184	AIR BAGS 33%, ENGINE 31%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 184, about 3.7x this model's typical 50 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 7 of 100, where higher is better.
2009	4Gas	20.5	$3,075	2	43	AIR BAGS 37%, ENGINE 26%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 43, below this model's typical 50 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 Score: 75 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	5Gas	22	$2,850	3	30	AIR BAGS 71%, ENGINE 7%, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 7%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 62 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 78 of 100, where higher is better.
2011	4Gas	22	$2,825	3	30	AIR BAGS 76%, SEAT BELTS 9%, ENGINE 3%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 50 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 76 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	4Gas	22.5	$2,775	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 50 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1999: 20 to 2012: 22.5

Owner complaints1999: 80 to 2012: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Saab 9-3 to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.