Saab

9-3 Sport

Compact Cars · model years 2003 to 2012

See all 34 9-3 Sport trims

The verdict

Best year: 2012. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 70; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2.

Worst year: 2003. complaints: 212, about 1.5x this model's typical 141; recalls: 4, about 2x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Saab 9-3 Sport
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
2003	4Gas	22.5	$3,100	4	212	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, SUSPENSION 14%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10%
complaints: 212, about 1.5x this model's typical 141 recalls: 4, about 2x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 6 Score: 20 of 100, where higher is better.
2004	5Gas	22	$3,500	5	207	SEAT BELTS 35%, SUSPENSION 23%, AIR BAGS 9%
complaints: 207, above this model's typical 176 recalls: 5, about 2.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 22 of 100, where higher is better.
2005	3Gas	22	$2,850	2	95	SUSPENSION 26%, SEAT BELTS 20%, AIR BAGS 11%
complaints: 95, below this model's typical 106 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 9 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 57 of 100, where higher is better.
2006	4Gas	21	$3,700	2	179	AIR BAGS 39%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 10%, SEAT BELTS 7%
complaints: 179, above this model's typical 141 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 3 Score: 53 of 100, where higher is better.
2007	4Gas	20.5	$3,475	2	155	AIR BAGS 37%, SUSPENSION 14%, ENGINE 10%
complaints: 155, above this model's typical 141 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 58 of 100, where higher is better.
2008	4Gas	20	$3,850	2	184	AIR BAGS 33%, ENGINE 31%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%
complaints: 184, above this model's typical 141 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 35 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 141 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2010	2Gas	23	$2,725	3	30	AIR BAGS 71%, ENGINE 7%, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 7%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 70 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
2011	2Gas	23	$2,725	3	30	AIR BAGS 76%, SEAT BELTS 9%, ENGINE 3%
complaints: 30, below this model's typical 70 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 Score: 69 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	2Gas	23	$2,725	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 70 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 2 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2003: 22.5 to 2012: 23

Owner complaints2003: 212 to 2012: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Saab 9-3 Sport 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.