2003 Saab 9-3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 50 of 212 complaints (24%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 46 in 2002 to 212 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,700 | 3,250–3,900 | 2,700–3,700 | 2,600–3,900 | 2,850–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–22 | 20–24 | 21–23 | 20–24 | 19–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–19 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 26–30 | 18–20 / 27–29 | 17–20 / 25–30 | 17–19 / 25–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–423 | 370–444 | 386–423 | 370–444 | 386–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 83 | 46 | 212 | 207 | 95 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 2 | 17 | 8 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Saab 9-3?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 50 of 212 NHTSA complaints (24%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates it 21–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Saab 9-3?
EPA estimates $2,700–$3,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $3,700 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 28 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 32 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 46 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 18 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 50 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 26 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 12 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 11E009000 · Feb 28, 2011
Defect: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 07V087000 · Mar 8, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 05V236000 · May 25, 2005
Defect: CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 04V540000 · Nov 10, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · Campaign 04V226000 · May 12, 2004
Defect: SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.