Model year guide

2004 Saab 9-3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Saab 9-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 44 on record.

2004 Saab 9-3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Saab 9-3 at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints207
Typical price$2,206

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2004 Saab 9-3 recalls 6

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #05V236000 · 19/05/2005

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Seats:front Assembly:recliner NHTSA Campaign #03V514000 · 10/12/2003

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COMPONENT. IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEATS HAVE THIS COMPONENT, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE DEALER MAY NEED TO ORDER A COMPLETE NEW SEAT OR SEATS (INCLUDING MATCHING UPHOLSTERY) AND THE PA…

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #04V226000 · 11/05/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #10V043000 · 18/02/2010

GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 SAAB 9-3 SEDANS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT, OVER TIME, COULD FAIL TO RETRACT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE. IF THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR WERE TO FAIL TO RETRACT, GM WILL REPLACE THE FRONT PASSENGER RETRACTOR FREE OF CHARGE UNDER A SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT WILL BE RELEASED FOR THE SAME POPULATION FOR 10 YEARS FROM NEW VEHICLE DATE OF SALE. T…

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #14V318000 · 12/06/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side s…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #11E009000 · 28/02/2011

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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 5 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2004 Saab 9-3 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

What's a 2004 Saab 9-3 worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$2,206
High
$3,600

From 44 comparable 2004 Saab 9-3 listings.

2004 Saab 9-3 trims & engines on record

Trims
Arc · Linear · Aero
Engines
2.0L

2004 Saab 9-3 vehicles on record

Other Saab 9-3 model years

2004 Saab 9-3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2004 Saab 9-3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Saab 9-3?

Across all 207 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are seat belts, suspension, air bags.

How much is a 2004 Saab 9-3 worth?

Comparable 2004 Saab 9-3 listings run roughly $600–$3,600, typically around $2,206 (from 44 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.