Recall 16V063 covers 113,716 2006-2011 Saab 9-5, Astra, and 9-3 vehicles for driver air bag inflator rupture. Repair is free at franchised Saab dealers.
Saab recall 16V063 covers 113,716 2006-2011 9-5, 9-3, and Astra vehicles because the driver's frontal air bag inflator can rupture during deployment. In a crash, metal fragments can strike the driver or passengers and cause serious injury or death; Saab dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's frontal air bag inflator is the metal canister inside the steering wheel air bag module. In a crash that calls for the driver's front air bag, the inflator creates gas so the air bag fills fast enough to cushion the driver. On the 2006-2011 9-5, Astra, and 9-3 vehicles in this recall, that inflator is the recalled part.
The defect is inside the Takata PSDI-5 inflator. When the driver's frontal air bag deploys, excessive internal pressure can build inside the inflator instead of staying controlled. That pressure can rupture the inflator during deployment, so the air bag module does not operate as designed at the moment it is needed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem shows up only if the driver's frontal air bag deploys, so an included VIN needs the recall repair even if the air bag light is off and the vehicle feels normal.
Who's affected?
Spans three model lines across 2006-2011, all tied to the same driver front air bag inflator.
| 2006 Saab 9-5 | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2007 Saab 9-5 | front air bag |
| 2008 Saab 9-5 | front air bag |
| 2009 Saab 9-5 | front air bag |
| 2009 Saturn Astra | front air bag |
| 2009 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| 2008 Saturn Astra | front air bag |
| 2007 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| 2006 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| 2011 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| 2008 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| 2010 Saab 9-3 | front air bag |
| Units affected | 113,716 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver's frontal air bag deploys in a crash, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin. Those fragments can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Saab dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2006-2011 Saab 9-5, Astra, or 9-3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Saab dealer to schedule the free driver's frontal air bag inflator or airbag module replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it. If not, reference recall number 16V063 when you call.
- Call Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 with questions about scheduling or parts availability.
- Avoid delaying the repair. The recalled air bag part can rupture during deployment and send metal fragments toward occupants.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Saab technician replaces the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles. For Saturn Astra vehicles included in the same recall, the driver's frontal airbag module is replaced. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Saab is not offering reimbursement for this campaign because owners would not have known about the air bag issue before the recall began.
| Reimbursement | No separate reimbursement |
|---|
Timeline
| February 3, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| March 31, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 1, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 1, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V063?
Recall 16V063 covers 113,716 2006-2011 Saab 9-5, Astra, and 9-3 vehicles with a driver's frontal air bag inflator defect. During a crash that deploys the air bag, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants. Saab dealers replace the affected inflator or module for free.
What should I do if my 2006-2011 Saab 9-5, Astra, or 9-3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V063. If it is, contact a franchised Saab dealer or authorized Saab service provider to schedule the driver's frontal air bag repair. Reference GM recall number 28810 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and GM's remedy for recall 16V063 says dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator or air bag module free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk in recall 16V063 is metal-fragment impact during a crash that deploys the driver's frontal air bag. If the inflator ruptures, fragments can strike the driver or other occupants and cause serious injury or death. Confirm your VIN, then schedule the free dealer repair.
What if I bought this Saab used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received a letter, check your VIN to see whether your specific 9-5, Astra, or 9-3 is included, then give recall 16V063 and GM recall number 28810 to the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V063000 |
|---|---|
| Saab customer service | 1-800-955-9007 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V063 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V063000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →