Saab 9-3 Recall R/2004/186: Seat Belt May Not Retract, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 4 Feb 2005
- Launched
- 9,322
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2004/186
- DVSA reference
Saab recalled 9-3 vehicles built between 1 October 2003 and 1 October 2004. The front seat belt retractors may malfunction with the effect that the spooled out portion of the webbing will not retract. The dealer will replace the seat front seat belts. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
The front seat belt retractors may malfunction with the effect that the spooled out portion of the webbing will not retract.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: SEAT BELT MAY NOT RETRACT Defect: The front seat belt retractors may malfunction with the effect that the spooled out portion of the webbing will not retract. Remedy: Recalled vehicles will have the seat front seat belts replaced.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: seat belt may not retract.
The Fix
The dealer will replace the seat front seat belts.
Are You Affected?
9-3 built between 1 October 2003 and 1 October 2004 may be included. Saab estimates 9,322 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Saab, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Saab.
- Book with any franchised Saab dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/2004/186. See how to get a Saab recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3Right hand front seat may not lock correctly | Urgent | R/2010/213 | |
| 9-3Handbrake may fail | Low | R/2007/170 | |
| 9-3Reduced braking performance | Urgent | R/2006/047 | |
| 9-3Rear axle hub may not be to specification | Book soon | R/2005/167 | |
| 9-3Fuel pump mounted pipe retaining tabs may fail | Urgent | R/2005/021 |
This is one of 25 Saab recalls in DVSA’s data. The Saab recall launched before it was R/2003/181 on 10 Mar 2004, for possible fault in the locking mechanism of the front seat recliner. The one launched after it was R/2005/021 on 4 May 2005, for fuel pump mounted pipe retaining tabs may fail. You can also see every Saab recall, all recalls launched in 2005 and seat belt recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2004/186, launched 4 February 2005. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.