Vehicle recall R/2003/005

Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3 recall: Detachable tow bar may become insecure.

DVSA recall R/2003/005 names the Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3. It was launched 10 January 2003. DVSA does not record the build dates for this recall.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2003/005
Launched: 10 January 2003
Issued by: SAAB
Manufacturer reference: 15011
Vehicles: DVSA lists 596 on each model line

What can go wrong

Under certain conditions the detachable tow bar may work loose resulting in the tow bar becoming detached from the vehicle.

The fix

Replace the tow ball and housing with a calibrated unit.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 596. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
Saab 9-3	not recorded	596
Saab 9-5	not recorded	596

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2002/093 Towball came adrift from towbar 11 July 2002, Saab 9-3, Saab 9-5
R/2002/058 Possible contamination of brake fluid 25 June 2002, Saab 9-3
R/2003/181 Possible fault in the locking mechanism of the front seat recliner. 10 March 2004, Saab 9-3
R/2004/186 Seat belt may not retract 4 February 2005, Saab 9-3
R/2005/021 Fuel pump mounted pipe retaining tabs may fail 4 May 2005, Saab 9-3
R/2005/167 Rear axle hub may not be to specification 3 January 2006, Saab 9-3

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources