2008 Saab 9-3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2008 Saab 9-3: 2 recalls, 184 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #14V318000 · 2014 · 28,789 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor May break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted May not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
The 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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #16V063000 · 2016 · 113,716 vehicles
What's wrong: Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure May cause the inflator to rupture.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Fuel system Equipment recall #11E009000 · 2011 · 4,887 vehicles
What's wrong: The defective fuel pump May seize, stopping the fuel flow to the engine creating a stalling condition.
Why it matters: A vehicle crash could occur should the engine stall while in use.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 6 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (71): the most common themes are deploys unexpectedly / inflator (4).
- Engine (66): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (17), warning light on (9), won't start (9).
- Fuel & propulsion (13): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), warning light on (2), electrical failure (2).
The 2008 Saab 9-3 has 184 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 14 9-3 model years for complaints (1.9× the average 9-3 year). Complaints peaked in 2016 (65 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 76,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2007 (155 complaints, 2 recalls), 2009 (43 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 26 | 19 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 24 | 18 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2008 Saab 9-3.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2008 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Saab 9-3, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2008 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners have filed 184 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (71), engine (66), fuel & propulsion (13).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2008 Saab 9-3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.