Should I buy a 2011 Saab 9-3 with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2011 Saab 9-3 airbags problems

moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$1,100

Related recalls

critical NHTSA 16V063000 03/02/2016

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

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.

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. 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.

What owners are reporting 17 most recent

airbags · filed 12/27/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A …

airbags · filed 12/09/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 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…

airbags · filed 11/30/2016

TAKATA RECALL. WE RECEIVED NOTICE, BY MAIL, OF THE AIRBAG RECALL IN MARCH 2016. IT IS NOW 8 MONTHS LATER AND WE ARE TOLD THERE ARE NO PARTS AVAILABLE.

airbags · filed 10/27/2016

HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE…

airbags · filed 10/26/2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. 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 NO…

airbags · filed 10/12/2016

TAKATA RECALL - I WAS APPRISED BY MAIL THAT THE AIRBAGS ON MY SAAB 9-3 NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE REMEDY IS NOT YET AVAILABLE. EIGHT MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THE REMEDY IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. WHY MUST I CONTINUE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH AIRBAGS THAT MAY CAUSE INJURY OR WORSE? WHEN WILL REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS BE AVAILABLE?

airbags · filed 10/01/2016

TAKATA RECALL. SAAB VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AIRBAG, BUT MANUFACTURER IS OUT OF BUSINESS AND PREVIOUS PARENT COMPANY (GM) HAS NOT INDICATED ANY TIMEFRAME FOR FIXING THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THIS CAR IS NOW GOING ON 5 YEARS WITH THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG IN PLACE. WHAT CAN BE DONE?

airbags · filed 09/12/2016

2011 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REPLACEMENT PARTS NOT AVAILABLE TO REPAIR RECALL NOTICE 16V-063. *SMD

airbags · filed 09/07/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

airbags · filed 08/31/2020

DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET GOING IN A FORWARD, STRAIGHT MOTION.

Common questions

How serious is the airbags problem on the 2011 Saab 9-3?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to airbags?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.