Recall 14V318 affects 28,789 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 convertibles for a driver seat belt retractor defect. Repair is free at any franchised Saab dealer.
Saab is recalling 28,789 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 convertibles because the driver's side front seat belt retractor can break, leaving the belt webbing unretracted. In a crash, unretracted belt webbing can leave the occupant improperly restrained and increase injury risk; Saab dealers will complete the free repair once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The driver's side front seat belt retractor in 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertibles is the spring-loaded mechanism that pulls the belt webbing back into its housing. It keeps slack out of the belt when you buckle up, then lets the belt extend and lock as the restraint system demands.
On affected Saab 9-3 Convertibles, that driver's side retractor is the weak point. The recall describes the retractor breaking, which leaves the seat belt webbing unable to retract back into place. When the belt does not rewind, it can sit loose, twisted, or poorly positioned instead of lying flat across the driver.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is the belt webbing staying out after use, failing to pull back, or not sitting neatly against the seat and pillar.
Who's affected?
Spans 8 Saab 9-3 model years, with the same front seat belt retractor listed for each year.
| 2006 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2007 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2009 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2010 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2004 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2005 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| 2011 Saab 9-3 | seat belt |
| Units affected | 28,789 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A driver's seat belt that does not retract leaves slack in the belt. In a crash, that slack can keep the belt from properly restraining the occupant and increases injury risk. Schedule the repair soon. Repair will be free at any franchised Saab dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Saab dealer and ask about the free driver's seat belt retractor replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Saab has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V318 when you call.
- Avoid using a seat belt that does not retract. Ask the dealer what to do before driving with that seating position occupied.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Saab technician replaces the driver's seat belt retractor so the belt webbing can retract correctly again. The listed remedy covers the driver-side part, with parts and labor free under the recall once the dealer repair is available. The source also notes Special Coverage 10086 for the passenger-side seat belt retractor, which provides free replacement for the life of the vehicle when that passenger-side retractor fails. Ask the Saab service desk to confirm campaign 14V318 and the related passenger-side coverage before the appointment.
Timeline
| June 12, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V318?
Recall 14V318 covers 28,789 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles with a driver's front seat belt retractor that can break and leave the belt webbing unretracted. In a crash, that seat belt gives less restraint and increases injury risk. Saab dealers replace the driver's retractor for free.
What should I do if my 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific convertible is included in recall 14V318. If it is, contact a franchised Saab dealer to schedule the driver's seat belt retractor replacement. Reference recall 14V318 or Saab recall number 14222 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Saab dealers replace the driver's seat belt retractor free of charge under recall 14V318. Saab customer service is available at 1-800-955-9007.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is reduced occupant restraint in a crash. If the driver's front seat belt retractor breaks and the webbing does not retract, the belt does not sit or work as intended. That increases the driver's risk of injury in a crash.
What if I bought my Saab 9-3 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible is included, then call a franchised Saab dealer with recall 14V318 or Saab recall number 14222.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V318000 |
|---|---|
| Saab customer service | 1-800-955-9007 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V318 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V318000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →