Nine problems related to side/window air bag have been reported for the 1999 SAAB 9-3. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Tl- the contact owns a 1999 SAAB 9-3 convertiable. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph the driver side airbag erroneously deployed. The contact indicated that the vehicle had not crashed or driven over a road bump when the deployment occurred. The driver sustained an injured right arm, shoulder and torso. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 154,000. Jft.
Just as I parked my car, my side air bag on the driver's side of my car deployed/exploded without any warning. The left side of my face/left ear and neck were injured.
Car was sitting idling at kerbside while dropping my kids off at school. The passenger side door was open. I was talking to my child who was just outside the door. Passenger seat side airbag deployed by itself with no impacts previous impacts or any movement other than one minute previous the seat was tilted forward and then back to let kids out of backseat. This was seconds and inches away from resulting in a death.
While my wife was driving to work, the passenger side airbag deployed. There was no collision and only the side airbag deployed, none of the others did. This could have caused an accident if it had been any of the other airbags, particularly those on the left. As it was, the noxious fumes and dust from the air bag caused some respiratory distress and reduced the visibility inside the vehicle.
Driving on road and passenger's side air bag deployed on its own in afternoon of Friday, April 27th. No passenger was in the seat. SAAB was immediately contacted. Car was taken to SAAB dealer Monday morning. Car was left there all day and SAAB corp was to have the car inspected. Nothing was done and car was picked up on Monday evening. We are desperately trying to get SAAB to look at the car but they are being difficult to deal with. SAAB corp is not giving any indication as to what they are going to do to fix the problem and ensure it does not happen again. SAAB corp and SAAB dealer do not have a sense of urgency to get the car looked at. The fear now is that another one may go off unexpectedly. Drivers ear has not been normal since the incident.
On the morning of December 6, 2006, my 1999 SAAB 9-3 was parked in the driveway of my house when I started the car to warm it up to take my five year old to school. My 5 year old sat in the front passenger seat as the car was warming up. Without notice or provocation the front passenger side airbag deployed in my 5 year olds face. This violent explosion caused a scratch and redness on my daughters face. Upon speaking with SAAB I was informed that they have never heard of this happening, and upon their instruction - I took the car the local SAAB dealer, who upon examining the car said that the reason for this happening is inconclusive. They also stated that they have never seen this happen before. SAAB is giving us the runaround, and we need someone to hold them accountable for this incident. I am hoping that filing this complaint will help.
On Thursday Jan 26 2006 at aprox 12 pm I parked put car in a parking lot and went into the bank in canton, georga. On returning I got into car, put the key into the ignition ,and as I turned the key to start the car the passenger side air bag deployed, destroying the dashboard/damaging the windshield and blowing out the radio and various control knobs.
: the contact stated the passenger side air bag deployed without incident. The vehicle was parked with no key in the ignition. When the contact leaned over to the passenger seat, the air bag deployed. The air bag was cut out of the vehicle and the vehicle is drivable.
When vehicle was involved in a front passenger side crash, there was no deployment of passenger's side air bag . Door and glove compartment cannot be opened. The impact blew out the glass on the side door and cracked the windsheld. Damages totalled $8,000 - $10,000. The vehicle is being repaired.