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Model Year Problem Record

Saab 9-3 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Saab 9-3: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

207Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
13Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Seat Belts80 complaints

80 complaints; 3 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V226000, 10V043000, 14V318000.

Suspension57 complaints

57 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes8 complaints

8 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V236000.

Lighting5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats3 complaints

3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V514000.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V514000Reported December 10, 2003 - 1,658 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on December 10, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 1,658 vehicles across all affected models.

04V226000Reported May 11, 2004 - 31,335 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on May 11, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 31,335 vehicles across all affected models.

05V236000Reported May 19, 2005 - 68,654 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on May 19, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 68,654 vehicles across all affected models.

10V043000Reported February 18, 2010 - 14,126 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on February 18, 2010. The campaign covers an estimated 14,126 vehicles across all affected models.

14V318000Reported June 12, 2014 - 28,789 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on June 12, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 28,789 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA08026Opened December 22, 2008 - Closed June 4, 2010

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08051Opened August 28, 2008 - Closed December 23, 2008

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE09048Opened September 30, 2009 - Closed February 25, 2010

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. Resulted in recall campaign 10V043000.

PE09048Opened September 30, 2009 - Closed February 25, 2010

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. Resulted in recall campaign 10V043000.

PE09048Opened September 30, 2009 - Closed February 25, 2010

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR. Resulted in recall campaign 10V043000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20031
20044
20059
20069
20075
200814
200930
201022
201122
201218
201320
201417
201514
201613
20171
20183
20191
20201
20222
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.