I was first notified of the recall in 2016, but told that the replacement parts not available. When I got the notice early this year that parts available, I called the authorized dealer several times and never got a response. On one occasion I spoke to someone who said he would call me back but never did, and who told me that my car doesn't have the tamara airbag (which it appears it does), and that nothing had happened with any saab. He was very dismissive of the risk.
2009 Saab 9-3 airbags problems
17 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 40%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
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
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1‑800‑955‑9007 or Saturn customer service at 1‑800‑553‑6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
Recall number 16V063000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
What 2009 Saab 9-3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Takata recall I was informed in a letter that gm is working on airbag recall for my car. It stated that in case of an accident my airbag can explode and I may die. They also said that in another letter they will specify when the replacement part is available. It has been a while and I have not heard anything back so I decided to do my own research. After calling local cadillac dealer here in nashville, I was informed that the only place in tennessee that still does saab warranty work in in memphis. After calling that dealership, they said that the parts have been available for a while. I believe this is a very serious matter since my life can be at danger every time I drive my car. I feel like gm is acting negligent in this case. I understand that they do not produce saabs anymore, but they should still do their best to support the product that they have produced.
Takata recall - my complaint is that absolutely nothing has happened, and that the status of the recall issued approximately one year ago is: "recall incomplete. Remedy not yet available". People are still dying out there because takata has not yet solved this problem. Those of us who own vehicles that are under this recall can't just stop driving them while we wait for this part to become available. So, instead, we expose ourselves to risk of injury and death from an air bag that is supposed to protect us in a crash. This is totally unacceptable!!!
Takata recall. I was notified of the recall in may 2016. There has been no follow-up or fix available to this date. This is a driver-side airbag recall. I cannot safely drive my car until this is fixed. I live in austin, texas where it is hot and humid much of the year. This is an important factor that increases the danger related to this recall.
Takata recall--it's been 9 months since I was notified of the recall, and called my local dealer. But I've received no further word. I love this car, however, I am very concern, since my wife uses this car ever day to go to work. If, god forbid, someone hits the car and the air bag implodes and she is injured or dies, you will be sued. When is the problem going to be fixed? Very concern owner and husband!!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saab 9-3. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The air bag warning indicator was illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
It is public information that takata's airbags carry a very high risk since the inflator propellant degrades to the point of braking the steel housing and throwing it to the occupant causing severe injuries or death. In spite of all these facts, the manufacturer has not initiated a recall and does not provide answers after several calls to their customer office. My vehicle has a takata airbag according to the federal safety agency's database, the inflator must be replaced.
Takata recall I have been aware of my vehicle's recall for greater than 6 months and my manufacturer has not yet presented a safe solution.
Takata recall--it's been 5 months since I was notified of the recall, but I've received no further word. Saab's are no longer being manufactured and sold as new cars, and therefore I expect I'm at the bottom of the list. But I just put a great deal of maintenance into the car, it has 60,000 miles and I'm not in the market for a new car. However, I'm terrified to take a passenger or drive the car myself. When I want to know will my cincinnati or columbus, oh dealer have a new airbag to install.
Takata recall: gm announced this recall 6 months ago. Still no remedy and no communication. My children are about to start learning to drive - I don't want to risk their lives by allowing them to drive the saab - I need a new airbag. Sorry if this is the wrong form - I followed the safer links.
Questions about the 2009 Saab 9-3 airbags
Does the 2009 Saab 9-3 have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 Saab 9-3, 40% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2009 Saab 9-3 airbags problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Saab 9-3 airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V063000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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 2009 Saab 9-3 problems
Engine 13Fuel system 4Brakes 3Seat belts 2Body 1Electrical 1Lights 1Steering 1Suspension 1Tires 1Wheels 1
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