NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1999–2002

Saab 9-3 Convertible recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 61 owner complaints for the Saab 9-3 Convertible, covering model years 1999 to 2002. The 2001 model year drew the most complaints (24), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Saab 9-3 Convertible VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

2 recall campaigns on file
61 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
4 model years with data (1999–2002)

most complaints: 2001 (24 for that model year)
top component: Electrical System (16 complaints)
latest recall 07V087000 (reported Mar 7, 2007)

3 complaints reporting a crash (4.9%)
5 complaints reporting a fire (8.2%)
5 complaints reporting an injury (8.2%)
0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints by model year

4 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2001 model year has the most complaints: 24 of 61, or 39.3%. Next come 1999 (16) and 2000 (12). The fewest are for 2002, with 9 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years

Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death

Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model year	Complaints	Reporting a crash	Reporting a fire	Reporting an injury
1999	16	0	1	1
2000	12	1	1	2
2001	24	1	0	1
2002	9	1	3	1
All model years	61	3	5	5

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Saab 9-3 Convertible components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 16 complaints (26.2% of all 61), followed by Air Bags (10) and Fuel System, Gasoline (8).

Components named most often in Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints (top 15)

Components named most often in Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints (top 15)
Component	Complaints	Share of complaints
Electrical System	16	26.2%
Air Bags	10	16.4%
Fuel System, Gasoline	8	13.1%
Engine and Engine Cooling	6	9.8%
Seat Belts	6	9.8%
Power Train	5	8.2%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	3	4.9%
Structure	3	4.9%
Tires	3	4.9%
Wheels	3	4.9%
Exterior Lighting	1	1.6%
Interior Lighting	1	1.6%
Latches/Locks/Linkages	1	1.6%
Steering	1	1.6%
Suspension	1	1.6%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Saab 9-3 Convertible recalls

2 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name 9-3 Convertible, newest first. The 2 campaigns cover model years 2000 to 2002. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 model years appear in the most campaigns (1 each).

2 recall campaigns

Saab 9-3 Convertible recall campaigns covering each model year
2000: 1 campaign	2001: 1 campaign	2002: 1 campaign

NHTSA campaign 07V087000
Reported Mar 7, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model year 2000
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.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.
NHTSA campaign 04V557000
Reported Nov 19, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Model years 2001–2002
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 March 14, 2005. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means

What each recall field means
Field	What it tells you
Campaign number	NHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
Component	The system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
Summary	What the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
Consequence	The safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
Remedy	What the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.

Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Saab 9-3 Convertible questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Saab 9-3 Convertible have?

NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recall campaigns for the Saab 9-3 Convertible, covering model years 1999 to 2002. The most recent, 07V087000, was reported on March 7, 2007 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2000, 2001 and 2002 model years are covered by the most campaigns (1 each).

Which Saab 9-3 Convertible model year has the most complaints?

The 2001 model year, with 24 of the 61 complaints in NHTSA’s file (39.3%). The next are 1999 (16) and 2000 (12). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Saab 9-3 Convertible complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 16 complaints, or 26.2% of all 61. Air Bags (10) and Fuel System, Gasoline (8) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Saab 9-3 Convertible?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Saab dealer.

How many Saab 9-3 Convertible complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 61 complaints, 3 report a crash, 5 a fire, 5 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

7 models · most complaints first

The Saab models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Saab VIN decoder with every Saab model page, WMI code and VIN note.

Saab 9-3 1999–2011 · 17 recalls · 1,345 complaints
Saab 9-5 1998–2011 · 9 recalls · 557 complaints
Saab 900 1995–2000 · 10 recalls · 196 complaints
Saab 9-7X 2005–2009 · 4 recalls · 171 complaints
Saab 9-2X 2005–2006 · 8 recalls · 121 complaints
Saab 9000 1995–1998 · 1 recall · 25 complaints
Saab 9-4x 2011–2012 · 2 recalls · 5 complaints

All Saab models and WMI codes Look up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.