NHTSA — Air Bags Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
6 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,683 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Saab 9-3 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Saab 9-3:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Saab 9-3 Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 202020

9-3

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my 2003 Saab 9-3 SE convertible to the nearby publix supermarket. The car has never been in an accident or hit. I parked it in the lot with the top down and went into the store for approximately 10 minutes. It was a warm dry day in Florida about 85 degrees. I came out and put the key in the ignition and turned it to start the car, and the passenger side airbag exploded for no known reason. I called GM, they took the car to a GM facility and inspected it, and then came back a week later and said the unexplained deployment of the airbag was not a manufacturers defect and they would not repair it. I find that difficult to believe. The airbag should not deploy arbitrarily when the ignition key is turned.

- Altamonte Springs, FL, USA

problem #11

Jun 222018

9-3

  • 168,000 miles
Takata recall. Driver's seat airbag deployed while waiting at a red light this morning.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 012016

9-3 4-cyl

  • miles
2003 Saab. Consumer writes in regards to airbag inflator safety recall. The consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #9

May 282017

9-3

  • 180,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving at about 15 - 20 mph trying to enter hwy I-75. Upon routine braking, the airbag deployed, causing an accident.after I hit the car in front of me, the second airbag deployed. I am hurt. The vehicle was deemed totalled because the airbags deployed, and taken away.

- Spring Hill, FL, USA

problem #8

Mar 012016

9-3

  • miles
Takata recall I was notified by Saab in March 2016 that I have takata airbags installed and are subject to recall. It is now six (6) months since the notification. I have had no further communication from Saab. I feel that the recall should take place immediately before I get killed from the airbag inflating. Six months should be more than adequate to resolve the problem. I ask that Saab be compelled to immediately make the necessary repairs!

- Winslow, ME, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #7

Mar 012016

9-3

  • miles
Takata recall I do not have a date for or my Saab air bag recall. This clearly sends a message about GM. "don't buy GM, and from those companies which place people at risk of air bag failure"

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #6

Mar 152016

9-3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

- Frazier Park, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 032016

9-3

  • miles
Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. the contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V063000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Yellow Springs, OH, USA

problem #4

Apr 052016

9-3

  • miles
Takata recall...I am advised that there is risk of injury/death due to deployment of air bags. Asking for repair advised today 4/4/2016 by (General Motors) they are not now doing/cannot do same. Unacceptable safety.

- Westport, CT, USA

problem #3

Apr 192009

9-3

  • 91,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. while driving 75 mph, the contact heard an explosion. She realized that the passenger side air bag deployed without an impact or crash occurring. The air bag injured a teenager seated in the vehicle. The teenager suffered temporary hearing loss and a chest abrasion due to the seat belt. The manufacturer agreed to send an investigator to inspect the vehicle, but this has not yet transpired. Neither the contact nor the manufacturer could determine what caused the air bag to deploy. The current and failure mileages were 91,000.

- South Hampton, MA, USA

problem #2

Apr 152009

9-3

  • 70,000 miles
Was parked when I turned the key to start the car the passenger side airbag and curtain deployed. No crash no impact no nothing just went off Saab does not want to help!

- Windsor, CA, USA

problem #1

Jul 312003

9-3 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,200 miles
Airbags did not deploy in a 30-35mph frontal collision with an oncoming vehicle. Seatbelt restraint injured both passengers, but none of the airbags deployed.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Not what you are looking for?