DecodedCars2011 Saab 9-3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 2dr Convertible FWD 2.0t/Aero, 4dr Sedan FWD, 4dr Sedan Xwd Aero, Sportcombi 4dr Wagon FWD 2.0t/Aero
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 182.7–184.6 in
- Curb weight
- 3,395–3,825 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- Few owner complaints29 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 102 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2011 Saab 9-3 is a compact car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,748 lb (2dr Convertible FWD 2.0t/Aero).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), 1% worse than the 2011 compact car average of 24.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2011
- Lightest version 220 lb heavier
Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 9-3 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible FWD 2.0t/Aero | 182.7 in | 69.3 in | 56.3 in | 105.5 in | 59.4 / 59.1 in | 3,748 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Sedan FWD | 182.7 in | 70.5 in | 57.9 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 59.4 in | 3,395 lb | 62/38 |
| 4dr Sedan Xwd Aero | 182.7 in | 70.5 in | 57.9 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 59.4 in | 3,704 lb | 62/38 |
| Sportcombi 4dr Wagon FWD 2.0t/Aero | 183.1 in | 68.9 in | 56.7 in | 105.5 in | 59.4 / 59.1 in | 3,561 lb | 60/40 |
| X 4dr Wagon Xwd | 184.6 in | 70.9 in | 61.8 in | 105.5 in | 59.8 / 59.4 in | 3,825 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Sport Sedan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -1% | $2,800 | 370 |
| 9-3 SportCombi | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -2% | $2,800 | 370 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -5% | $2,900 | 386 |
| 9-3 Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | -5% | $2,900 | 386 |
| 9-3X SportCombi AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -6% | $2,900 | 386 |
| 9-3 Sport Sedan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 27 / 22 | -9% | $3,050 | 404 |
| 9-3 Convertible | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -14% | $3,200 | 423 |
| 9-3 SportCombi | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -14% | $3,200 | 423 |
| 9-3 Sedan AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | -18% | $3,350 | 444 |
| 9-3X SportCombi AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 27 / 20 | -18% | $3,350 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Saab 9-3.
Similar 2011 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Saab 9-3 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2011 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Honda Civic | 41 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Honda Accord | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2011 Toyota Camry | 33 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2011 Nissan GT-R | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2011 Toyota Prius | 48 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
Recalls (3)
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 3, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V063000 · 113,716 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor · Jun 12, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V318000 · 28,789 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
Fuel System, Other › Delivery › Fuel Pump · Jan 19, 2011
NHTSA campaign 11V015000 · 4,400 vehicles
- Problem
- SAAB IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 AND 2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE INTERNAL COMPONENTS WITH INCORRECT SPECIFICATIONS.
- Risk
- THE SUBJECT FUEL PUMPS CAN SEIZE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- SAAB WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Not every 2011 Saab 9-3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2011 Saab 9-3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Seat Belts — 3 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 1 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 103,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Saab 9-3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other 9-3 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Saab. How we calculate this →