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1999 Saab 9-3 airbags problems

17 complaints (27% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 138,000. 5 crashes reported.

owner complaints
17
of this car's complaints
27%
typical mileage
138,000
crashes
5
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Frontal
    7
  • Side/window
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Saab 9-3 airbags problems in other years

199920052011

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1999 Saab 9-3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 28, 2021 · Airbags · 175,000 miles · OH · 1 injury

Today, shortly after starting the car, an airbag deployed. The car was parked in my driveway and not in motion, and there was no impact. The airbag deployed from the outboard side of the passenger seat. I was seated in the driver's seat. The passenger seat was unoccupied and its seat belt was unfastened, however a laptop and some other lightweight objects were in the passenger seat.

Filed Jul 19, 2018 · Airbags · 154,000 miles · PA · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver side air bag erroneously deployed without warning or impact. The contact indicated that the vehicle had not crashed or driven over a road bump when the deployment occurred. The driver sustained an injured right arm, shoulder, and torso, which did not require medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 154,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2018 · Airbags · 180,000 miles · GA · 1 injury

Just as I parked my car, my side air bag on the driver's side of my car deployed/exploded without any warning. The left side of my face/left ear and neck were injured.

Filed Sep 9, 2017 · Airbags · 158,500 miles · FL · 1 injury

While parked, I put my key in the ignition and started the car. My passenger side side impact airbag deployed/exploded upon engine starting. I suffered a concussion, tinnitus, and inner ear damage from the airbag exploding. Took car to a gm dealership with a saab technician to have car diagnosed to explain why the airbag deployed/exploded. No diagnosis made. But they did read error code saying airbag sensor communication failure after airbag deployed/exploded. No warning lights were lit prior to incident. There were no service codes prior to incident either. (I had car checked 1 week prior to incident)

Filed Jun 1, 2017 · Airbags · 150,815 miles · CA

Car was sitting idling at kerbside while dropping my kids off at school. The passenger side door was open. I was talking to my child who was just outside the door. Passenger seat side airbag deployed by itself with no impacts previous impacts or any movement other than one minute previous the seat was tilted forward and then back to let kids out of backseat. This was seconds and inches away from resulting in a death.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Airbags, Seat belts · 114,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-3. While backing out of the driveway at 5 MPH, the driver side seat air bag deployed without warning. The contact also stated that the driver side seat belt fractured as a result of the air bag deployment. The contact sustained burns on the left arm, but did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2013 · Airbags · CA

Got into my car, turned on the ignition and then the passenger airbag deployed and cracked the windshield. The car was parked, the airbag just went off for no reason.

Filed Mar 2, 2009 · Airbags, Electrical · 138,000 miles · NH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH in the snow, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact or crash occurring. There were no injuries. Later that day, the air bag indicator illuminated. Her mechanic stated that the air bags would not function properly and ensure maximum protection in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic for diagnostic testing and the wiring was determined to be the cause of the failure. The manufacturer would not assist because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The current mileage was approximately 141,000 and failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Jan 24, 2007 · Airbags, Seat belts · 122,000 miles · MA · crash · 1 injury

The driver of the 1999 saab 9-3 was driving in the left lane on ma rte. 128 south. Her son was in a child carseat tightly belted into the driver's side passenger seat, the seat directly behind the driver. The switch on the belt buckle was set to the "child seat" setting. The driver signaled and began to change lanes to the middle lane which was clear of traffic. As she was shifting lanes, another vehicle, a light-colored sedan, began to move sharply into the middle lane from the right. The driver was forced to swerve to the left to avoid collision with the other vehicle, and her car went out of control. The car went off the road to the left and hit the guardrail in a front-end collision. The driver was thrown forward but was wearing her seatbelt, which held her. Her airbag did not inflate. Her son's car seat did not remain in place, but went forward and tipped over on its side, facing the middle of the car, so that when the driver opened the passenger door to check on her son, at first she couldn't see him, and she had trouble extracting the car seat. An off-duty fireman stopped to help, cut the seat belt and extracted the seat. The driver was taken to the hospital and treated for whiplash; her son does not appear to have sustained injury. The car was declared a total loss by the insurer, and the insurer towed the car and wants to dispose of it. We (the driver and her husband) contacted saab several times to ask that the vehicle be examined prior to disposal to address concerns about the performance of the rear seat belt and the driver's airbag; saab was unhelpful.

Filed Dec 13, 2006 · Airbags · 57,000 miles · NJ · 1 injury

On the morning of december 6, 2006, my 1999 saab 9-3 was parked in the driveway of my house when I started the car to warm it up to take my five year old to school. My 5 year old sat in the front passenger seat as the car was warming up. Without notice or provocation the front passenger side airbag deployed in my 5 year olds face. This violent explosion caused a scratch and redness on my daughters face. Upon speaking with saab I was informed that they have never heard of this happening, and upon their instruction - I took the car the local saab dealer, who upon examining the car said that the reason for this happening is inconclusive. They also stated that they have never seen this happen before. Saab is giving us the runaround, and we need someone to hold them accountable for this incident. I am hoping that filing this complaint will help.

Questions about the 1999 Saab 9-3 airbags

Does the 1999 Saab 9-3 have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the airbags of the 1999 Saab 9-3, 27% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Saab 9-3 airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 138,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Saab 9-3 airbags?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Saab 9-3 have bad airbags?

The Saab 9-3 model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (87 complaints), 2008 (71 complaints) and 2007 (65 complaints).

Other 1999 Saab 9-3 problems

Electrical 22Engine 5Suspension 5Seat belts 4Visibility 4Seats 3Tires 3Transmission 3Wheels 3Steering 2Acceleration 1Brakes 1Fuel system 1Locks 1

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