CarBrief

NHTSA has 95 owner complaints for the 2005 Saab 9-3, and suspension is the biggest group[1][2]. The model year also has 2 recalls on file[3].

95owner complaints[1]
2recalls[3]
19–23MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

Owners reported the most complaints about these component groups.

Component Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries
Suspension[2] 29 0 0 0
Seat belts[5] 22 1 0 0
Air bags[6] 12 3 0 2
Electrical system[7] 9 0 1 0

Suspension. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a broken front coil spring. Some say the broken end damaged a tire. The median mileage at failure is 65,244 miles[2].

Seat belts. In the sample, owners describe a belt that does not retract or feels slack. Some also say repair parts were back-ordered. The median mileage at failure is 94,000 miles[5].

Air bags. In the sample, owners describe waiting for repair parts after an air bag recall notice. A few describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[6].

Electrical system. The sample is mixed. Owners describe burned-out headlights, loss of power and cars that would not start[7].

These themes come from a small sample of complaint texts. They show what owners describe, not how common each problem is. Smaller groups include brakes (5 complaints), fuel/propulsion (5) and engine (4)[8][9][10]. NHTSA counts 4 complaints that mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths[1].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year[11][12]. Newest first[11][12]:

Fuel economy

EPA lists the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo, front-wheel drive, in several versions[13][14].

Version Fuel City / Highway / Combined Annual fuel cost
Convertible, manual 5-speed[13] Premium 19 / 26 / 22 $3,750
Convertible, automatic (S5)[15] Premium 17 / 25 / 19 $4,350
Sport Sedan, manual 5-speed[4] Premium 19 / 29 / 23 $3,550
Sport Sedan, manual 5-speed[16] Regular 19 / 28 / 22 $3,050
Sport Sedan, automatic (S5)[17] Premium 19 / 26 / 22 $3,750
Sport Sedan, automatic (S5)[14] Regular 19 / 28 / 22 $3,050

The Convertible with the automatic is the thirstiest listed at 19 combined MPG[15]. The manual Sport Sedan on premium is the best at 23 combined[4].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists both body styles it rates for this year as not rated[18][19]. That means there is no crash-test score to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA fuel economy listings above are all for a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine[13][4]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2-door convertible[20] 183 in 69 in 56 in 106 in 3,479 lb
4-door sedan, Aero[21] 183 in 70 in 58 in 106 in 3,285 lb
4-door sedan, Linear/Arc[22] 183 in 70 in 58 in 106 in 3,175 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

1999: 80 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 62 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 83 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 46 complaints, 4 recalls20022003: 212 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 207 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 95 complaints, 2 recalls9520052006: 179 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 155 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 184 complaints, 2 recalls20082009: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 30 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 9-3 model year. The 2005 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1999803
2000623
2001834
2002464
20032124
20042075
2005952
20061792
20071552
20081842
2009432
2010303
2011303

NHTSA shows 95 complaints and 2 recalls for 2005[3]. Five model years have more complaints[3]: 2003 (212), 2004 (207), 2008 (184), 2006 (179) and 2007 (155)[3]. The other eight years have fewer, from 83 in 2001 down to 0 in 2012[3].

On recalls, 1999 through 2004 and 2010 and 2011 each have 3 to 5[3]. The years 2006 through 2009 also have 2, and 2012 has none[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2005 Saab 9-3?

This model year has fewer complaints than five other years and more than eight (95, against a range of 0 to 212)[3]. Suspension has the most complaints (29), and owners in the sample we read describe broken front coil springs, so it is worth asking a mechanic to check the springs on any car you consider[2]. Look up the VIN for both recalls (14V318 covers certain Convertibles), and ask whether the seat belt retractor and brake valve work was done[11][12]. NHTSA has no star rating for this car, so crash safety is not backed by a score[18][19]. Our data does not cover oil, towing or tire details, so confirm those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Saab 9-3?
Suspension has the most complaints at 29, followed by seat belts at 22 and air bags at 12[2][5][6]. In a sample we read, suspension complaints describe broken front coil springs.
Does the 2005 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2: a seat belt retractor recall (14V318) and a brake booster check valve recall (05V236)[11][12].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Saab 9-3?
EPA lists 19 to 23 combined MPG depending on version, with the manual Sport Sedan on premium at 23[15][4].
Did the 2005 Saab 9-3 get a NHTSA safety rating?
No. NHTSA lists both body styles it rates for this year as not rated[18][19].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 95 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Saab 9-3 (4 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 9 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 29 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,244). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Saab 9-3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 22 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 12 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,720). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 4 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 14V318, filed June 12, 2014: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 05V236, filed May 19, 2005: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for 9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for 9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD ARC/AERO: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,479 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 4DR SEDAN FWD /AERO: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,285 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 4DR SEDAN FWD /LINEAR/ARC: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.