How many recalls does the 2001 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-3 model year. Whether one car had the recall work done depends on that car, so check its VIN with NHTSA.

1999: 67 owner complaints, Worthy

Our take: worth a look. Owners filed about as many complaints as in a typical year of this model.

Year verdict

Worthy

0.8× a typical year

About as many owner complaints as a typical year. Still get it inspected.

Confidence: Medium

Based on 37 complaints in its first 8 years: enough to go on, not a lot.

NHTSA did not answer for 13 years, so this may change.

Past 100,000 miles

Not judged

No complaints in its first 12 years give a mileage past 100,000 miles. Many owners never write the miles, so that is not a clean bill of health.

How the dial was counted

Year verdict: Typical year: 45 complaints, the median of 8 nearby years. Each counted over its first 8 years from January 2000; this one had 37.

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WhipWorthy sticker

2001 Saab 9-3

Complaints59From owners
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Recalls4On file
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NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.
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MPG21 to 22Combined, EPA
Loading fuel economy

Complaints are unverified owner reports, not adjusted for how many were sold.

Compare this car Every 9-3 year

Car report

Park this car in My Garage and see its recalls at a glance.Car Hunt Pass or Pro

Value signals

We do not price cars.

These help you judge whether this one is worth its price.

Costly problem zones ahead at your miles come with a Car Hunt Pass or Pro. See plans
Fuel: $2,900 to $3,800 a year.The EPA’s estimate for 15,000 miles a year, 55% in town, at its fuel prices. Each version
Loading the EPA's yearly fuel cost
Have the VIN? Check it is this car, and see its open recalls at NHTSA.
VIN
On the dash at the base of the windshield, or on the driver’s door sticker.

What about the price? Check the asking price on two listing sites. Buying from a dealer? Run its offer through the offer X ray.

Education, not financial or mechanical advice. Have any used car checked by a mechanic you trust before you buy.

The full record

Tap to open

What owners complain about

59 complaints; the part named most is the electrical

Unverified reports, not adjusted for sales. One complaint can name several parts, so shares add up past 100%. Filed Aug 18, 2002 to Nov 25, 2024. 29% name a part that is usually costly to fix.

Owners reported 1 crash, 1 fire, 3 injuries and 1 death in these complaints.

Electrical23 · 39%
Fuel system16 · 27%
Engine15 · 25%Usually costly to fix

What one owner wrote about the electrical

The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline)…

Filed Nov 25, 2024NHTSA complaint 116272551 of 16 owner quotes

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11 more parts, and 16 owner quotes

Every part owners name for the 2001 Saab 9-3, with their own words about what went wrong. Usually costly to fix among them: Transmission and drivetrain, Body and frame.

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SourceOwner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Saab 9-3. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Seller kit

Questions for the seller, test drive checks and price points

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Walk up to the seller ready

Questions to ask the seller of a 2001 Saab 9-3, built from this year's owner complaints and recalls. What to feel, hear and look at on the test drive, with boxes to tick at the car. Honest points to raise on price, from the records and never from guesses. Copy the questions to your phone in one tap.

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Write your offer

A ready to send offer for the seller, by text or email

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Send the seller a fair offer

Type the asking price and your own offer for the 2001 Saab 9-3, tick what you found, and get a polite message ready to text or email. Its reasons come from this year's owner complaints, recalls and crash ratings, and never from made up repair prices.

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When problems show up

Too few complaints give a mileage

Too few complaints mention a mileage to show a pattern. 12 complaints of 59 gave one, and a part needs at least 15.

SourceMileage from owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Saab 9-3. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Will it outlast the loan?

The month of your loan each problem zone lands in

Not enough owner complaints for the 2001 Saab 9-3 mention a mileage to lay against a loan. Have a mechanic look it over all the same.

Recalls

4 recalls on file

Not every car needs every fix. Run the VIN at NHTSA to see which are still open. Repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand; ask before any work.

Fuel system
Apr 20, 2006 · Recall 06V126000
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
What can happen
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.
The fix
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 may 12, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Electrical
Sep 14, 2005 · Recall 05V399000
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
What can happen
Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3. An interim letter will be mailed to owners in october 2005, informing them of the condition. Parts are now available and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles in to the dealers to have the idm replaced by letter dated march 13, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Fuel system
Nov 19, 2004 · Recall 04V557000
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
What can happen
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.
The fix
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.
Air bags
May 18, 2001 · Recall 01V168000
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels may not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
What can happen
These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
The fix
Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

SourceRecalls listed by NHTSA for the 2001 Saab 9-3. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Crash ratings

NHTSA did not answer

NHTSA's stars out of five, for each version it tested. Front crash stars only compare cars of about the same size and weight. The tests changed for 2011 models, so these stars do not line up with newer ones.

NHTSA did not answer just now, so we cannot show crash ratings for this car. Try again in a minute. You can also check it on their site.

Fuel economy

21 to 22 mpg combined, across 4 versions

The EPA's estimates for each engine and transmission, and its own yearly fuel cost. Yours depends on how you drive and the shape the car is in. Figures for 2007 and older use the EPA's 2008 method, so they may be lower than the original sticker.

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R
9-3 · Front wheel drive · Premium gas
City
18 mpg
Highway
26 mpg
Combined
21 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,800
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L
9-3 · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
18 mpg
Highway
25 mpg
Combined
21 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,050
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R
9-3 · Front wheel drive · Premium gas
City
19 mpg
Highway
28 mpg
Combined
22 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$3,600
This one on fueleconomy.gov
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L
9-3 · Front wheel drive · Regular gas
City
19 mpg
Highway
26 mpg
Combined
22 mpg
Miles per gallon. Yearly fuel, EPA$2,900
This one on fueleconomy.gov

SourceEPA fuel economy data, fueleconomy.gov. EPA, checked Oct 29, 2026.

True cost to own

The loan, fuel, insurance and upkeep, a month and over 5 years

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What it really costs to own

What the 2001 Saab 9-3 costs a month and over 5 years: the loan and its interest, fuel worked out from the EPA's figures for the version you pick, and your own insurance, registration and upkeep. A cost a mile, a link that reopens your numbers, and the breakdown copied to your phone in one tap.

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Every year of the 9-3

11 Worthy, 1 Maybe, 1 Pass, of 13 years on file

Owner complaints for each model year, this one outlined. Tap a year to open it. The newest 2 are not judged yet. Bars are totals, so older years stand taller; the verdict compares every year at the same age.

Best and worst years of the 9-3

NHTSA did not answer for 20 years, so the chart may be missing some.

SourceNHTSA owner complaints and recalls for the 9-3. NHTSA, checked Nov 1, 2026.

Before you buy this one

5 checks, with a close look at the electrical

Built from this year's numbers. Whatever the data says, the car in front of you is the one that counts.

Run the VIN at NHTSA to confirm every recall was fixed.
This year has 4 recalls on file. Recall repairs are usually free at a dealer for the brand. Ask the dealer to confirm before any work is done. Look up a VIN at NHTSA.
Ask the seller for the service records.
Look closely for any work on the electrical. It is the part owners complain about most for this year.
Have a mechanic you trust inspect it before you pay.
Ask them to look at the electrical first.
Look at a vehicle history report.
It can show reported crashes, flood or salvage titles, and mileage that does not add up.
On the test drive, pay attention to the electrical.
Try every switch, screen, light and lock, and make sure it starts every time.

Going to see it? Take the checklist52 checks with the bad signs to look for, saved on your phone.

Check this exact car

The verdict is about the model year. These checks are about the one in front of you. Most are free or a few dollars.

VIN for these checks

Copy it, then paste it into each check. Nothing is sent until you open one.

Official checks on this VIN

Open recallsFree
NHTSA
Safety recalls on this VIN that are not fixed yet, from the last 15 years.
A recall already fixed does not show.
Check recalls at NHTSAnhtsa.gov (opens in a new tab)
Theft and total lossFree
NICB VINCheck
Whether an insurer reported it stolen and not found, or wrote it off as a total loss.
Only insurer records. Five checks a day.
Open NICB VINChecknicb.org (opens in a new tab)
Title brandsA few dollars
NMVTIS, the federal title system
Salvage, flood, junk and rebuilt brands from any state, and the last miles on the title.
No repairs, service or recalls. Sold by approved sellers listed on the site.
See the approved sellersvehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov (opens in a new tab)
Title statusVaries by state
The state motor vehicle office
Whether the title is branded in that state and, where the state offers it, whether a lender still has a lien.
It will not name the owner. Each state asks its own way, and some only by mail. Ask to see the seller’s title too.
Find your state’s officeusa.gov (opens in a new tab)

What a paid report adds

A history report such as Carfax or AutoCheck pulls in more of the car’s past than these checks can:

Crashes and damage reported by police, insurers or shops, even when it was fixed.
Service visits that shops reported, with the miles each time.
How many owners, for how long, and the states it was registered in.
Whether it was a rental, fleet or lease car, when that was reported.

It only knows what was reported to it. A clean report is not proof of a clean car. Ask the seller first: many dealers hand one over for free.

Red flags in a history

Salvage title
Usually an insurer called it a total loss. In most states it cannot be driven on the road until it is rebuilt and inspected.
Rebuilt title
A salvage car that was fixed and passed a state check. It can be fine, but it is worth less, can be harder to insure, and needs a careful inspection.
Flood damage
Water can ruin wiring and sensors months later. Be wary of a flood brand that vanished after a move to another state.
Lemon or maker buyback
The maker bought it back over a defect it could not fix. Ask what the defect was and how it was fixed.
Odometer rollback
A mileage reading lower than an earlier one, or a title marked not actual miles.
Many owners, fast
Three owners in two years can mean a problem each one passed along.
Gaps in the records
Years with no service or registration. Ask why: it may have sat, been off the road, or been rebuilt.

Title words and rules differ by state. Not legal advice.

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection
Have a mechanic you choose, not the seller, put it on a lift and look it over before you pay.
Insurance quote
Get a quote on this exact car before you sign. Ask your own insurer and one or two others.

Model year	Owner complaints	Verdict
1999	67	Worthy
2000	50	Worthy
2001	59	Worthy
2002	37	Worthy
2003	214	Pass
2004	207	Maybe
2005	95	Worthy
2006	179	Worthy
2007	155	Worthy
2008	184	Worthy
2009	43	Worthy
2010	30	Worthy
2011	30	Worthy

The verdict on the 2001 Saab 9-3

Value signals

What owners complain about

Seller kit

Write your offer

When problems show up

Will it outlast the loan?

Recalls

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Electrical

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Crash ratings

Fuel economy

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L

True cost to own

Every year of the 9-3

Before you buy this one

Check this exact car

Official checks on this VIN

What a paid report adds

Before you pay

Pre purchase inspection

Insurance quote

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Electrical

What can happen

The fix

Fuel system

What can happen

The fix

Air bags

What can happen

The fix

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R

Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205R

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, B205L