2003 Saab 9-3 Rear Crash Test

Saab 9-3 Rear Crash test

This is rare video of 2003 Saab 9-3 Rear Crash Test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA Saab 9-3 Rear Test shows another great example of excellent set crumple zone that absorbs energy from an impact.

Research the 2003 Saab 9-3 4Dr Sedan government crash ratings and impact safety rankings to identify the safest vehicle:

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This test was performed in conjunction with Compliance Testing for FMVSS 301R, Fuel System Integrity. The purpose of this test is to evaluate the seat and occupant performance in moderate-to-high speed rear impacts.

A 1733 kg 2003 Saab 9-3 4-Door Sedan was impacted from the rear by an 1797 kg moving barrier at a speed of 47 kph (30 mph) . See also interesting Unbelted Crash Test with Saab 9-3.

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Tags:NHTSA Rear Crash Test SAAB 9-3 Saab crash test

Goran AničićJune 16, 2015

the authorGoran Aničić

For over 15 years, Goran Aničić has been passionately focused on Saab automobiles and everything related to them. His initial encounter with Saab cars took place back in 2003 when the first Saab 9-3 and sedan version were introduced. At that moment, he was captivated by the car's Scandinavian design logic and top-notch engineering, and everything that followed stemmed from that first encounter. Later on, through his work at the editorial team of the Serbian automotive magazines "Autostart" and later "AutoBild," he had the opportunity to engage more closely with Saab vehicles. In 2008, he tested the latest Saab cars of that time, such as the Saab 9-3 TTiD Aero and Saab 9-3 Turbo X. In 2010, as the sole blogger from the region, he participated in the Saab 9-5ng presentation in Trollhättan, Sweden. Alongside journalists from around the world, he got a firsthand experience of the pinnacle of technological offerings from Saab at that time. Currently, Goran owns two Saabs: a 2008 Saab 9-3 Vector Sportcombi with a manual transmission, and a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin Sport Sedan from the last generation, which rolled off the production line in Trollhättan in December 2011.

2 Comments

Göran Kähler says:

January 14, 2025 at 11:13 am

Great rear impact incl FMVSS 301!
Saab was also the first brand with the NG 9-3 to deploy also the side airbags in frontal impacts! Saab saw in the real-life accident follow ups ( Saab OFU) that the head tend to move out of the side window in small frontal overlap crashes ie most often resulting in fatal head injuries.

Reply
- Goran Aničić says:
  
  January 16, 2025 at 12:59 pm
  
  Absolutely! The 2003 Saab 9-3 performed impressively in rear impact tests, including FMVSS 301 compliance, showcasing Saab’s commitment to real-world crash safety.
  
  You’re absolutely right about the side airbag deployment in frontal impacts—this was a groundbreaking innovation. Saab’s OFU (Occupant Follow-Up) studies provided critical insights into how passengers actually move during real-world crashes, not just in controlled lab tests. The observation that heads tend to move toward the side window in small overlap frontal crashes led to proactive engineering solutions, reinforcing Saab’s philosophy of safety through real-world research.
  
  It’s details like these that make Saab’s safety legacy truly stand out. Thanks for sharing your knowledge! 🚀
  
  Reply