2006 Saab 9-3: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 227 complaints
227
Total Complaints
40,371mi
Median Mileage
AIR BAGS
Top Issue
21
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

20,000 25th Percentile
40,371 Median Mileage
90,500 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

AIR BAGS
86
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
16
SEAT BELTS
14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
STEERING
7
SERVICE BRAKES
7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
6
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
5
ENGINE
5

Severity Assessment

21
Crashes
5
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE LEVER THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE FELL OFF. AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL MOVED IN A BACK AND FORTH MOTION. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO UP AND DOWN IN DIRECTION. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING T..."
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATI..."
"DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATI..."

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28