Recall 10V043 covers 14,126 2004 Saab 9-3 sedans for a front seat belt retractor defect. Repair is free at any franchised Saab dealer.
Saab is recalling 14,126 2004 9-3 sedans because some front seat belt retractors can stop retracting over time. Using a belt that has not retracted can leave an occupant improperly restrained in a crash and increase injury risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The front seat belt retractor in a 2004 Saab 9-3 sedan is the spring-loaded spool that pulls the shoulder belt back into the pillar after you buckle or unbuckle. It also keeps extra belt webbing from staying loose across the driver or front passenger. When it works correctly, the belt sits close to the body and retracts smoothly when released.
On affected Saab sedans, the front retractors were built in a way that lets them stop retracting over time. The belt webbing then fails to wind back onto the spool as designed. That leaves slack in the belt, or leaves the belt hanging instead of returning cleanly into the pillar.
There is no warning sign before failure. Once the problem appears, you would notice the front belt retracting slowly, not retracting fully, or staying loose after it is pulled out.
Who's affected?
| 2004 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 14,126 |
Not every 2004 Saab 9-3 is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt that has not retracted can leave an occupant improperly restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury. If the belt does not retract fully, avoid using that seating position and contact the dealer for repair guidance. Repair will be free at any franchised Saab dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004 Saab 9-3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Saab dealer about the free driver-side seat-belt retractor replacement that fixes the retractor failure.
- Bring the recall notice if Saab sent one. If not, reference recall number 10V043 when you call.
- Ask Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 about front passenger retractor coverage if that belt fails to retract.
- Use a different seating position until the seat belt retracts normally and the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Saab technician replaces the driver side seat belt retractor free of charge. If the front passenger retractor fails to retract, GM's special coverage pays for replacement of that front passenger retractor for the lifetime of the vehicle. Because the remedy status is not listed here, confirm parts and coverage with a Saab service desk before scheduling. The dealer repair will be free once available for your VIN.
Timeline
| February 18, 2010 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 15, 2010 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 10V043?
Recall 10V043 covers 14,126 2004 Saab 9-3 sedans with front seat belt retractors that can fail to retract over time. A loose or unretracted belt leaves the occupant without proper restraint in a crash and increases injury risk.
What should I do if my 2004 Saab 9-3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific sedan is included in recall 10V043. If it is, contact a Saab service provider or call Saab at 1-800-955-9007 and ask for the front seat belt retractor recall repair. The driver-side retractor replacement is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety recall repair at no cost, and GM's filing says dealers replace the driver-side retractor free of charge. The filing also says the front passenger retractor is covered under special coverage for the lifetime of the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is improper restraint in a crash. If a front seat belt does not retract, the belt has slack and the occupant is not held as intended. That increases the risk of personal injury. The free repair path is replacement of the affected retractor.
What warning signs should I watch for?
Watch for a front seat belt that does not pull back into place after use. A slow, loose, or stuck belt retractor is the concern described in recall 10V043. If your VIN is included, ask for the free driver-side retractor replacement and passenger-side coverage details.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/10V043000 |
|---|---|
| Saab customer service | 1-800-955-9007 |
| NHTSA recall # | 10V043 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 10V043000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 3, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →