U.S. public vehicle records

Saab 9-3 CONVERTIBLE recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

61 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

68,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 to 2002 model years. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 40 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

From yearThrough year

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1999

2000

2001

2002

1999: 0; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2002: 1

First model yearSecond model year

Year-by-year records

Saab 9-3 CONVERTIBLE model-year comparison
Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Change in recalls
1999	16	0	Not available
2000	12	1	+1
2001	24	1	0
2002	9	1	0

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

07V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2007-03-07 (March 7, 2007) · Model years: 2000

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

04V557000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2004-11-19 (November 19, 2004) · Model years: 2001, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

61 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

65.6%Usable mileage40 / 61 records

98.4%Valid incident date60 / 61 records

100.0%Valid filing date61 / 61 records

98.4%Ordered incident and filing dates60 / 61 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1999	2000	2001	2002
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	212.5% ODI 10129404 · 38,000 mi I HAVE A 1999 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, BOUGHT CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM THE DEALER (SANTA MONICA SAAB) IN 2002. LAST SUMMER, THE CEL CAME ON AT ABOUT 38K, SO I HAD THE ENGINE SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANAGER THAT THE CODES INDICATED A DI CASSETTE FAILURE AND ALSO POSSIBLE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE AS A RESULT. AT THAT TIME, I HADN'T EXPERIENCED ANY ENGINE STALLING OR FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS WARNED THAT IT MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IF THE DI CASSETTE WASN'T REPLACED. I TOOK THAT RISK, DRIVING ON… Look up ODI 10129404 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗	416.7% ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags	212.5% ODI 10189364 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 D… Look up ODI 10189364 at NHTSA ↗	216.7% ODI 10935100 TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. THE SAAB CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CONTINUES TO TELL ME THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND "I SHOULD NOT WORRY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH SAAB VEHICLES." HOWEVER, I OWN OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME RECALL, AND THOSE MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN THE REPLACEMENT. Look up ODI 10935100 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	111.1% ODI 10406287 SLOWLY APPROACHING STOPLIGHT, AND DRIVERS SIDE, SIDE AIRBAG GOES OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. DRIVER WAS STRUCK IN SIDE OF HEAD, AND UPPER BODY, SOME HEARING LOSS SUFFERED ALSO. Look up ODI 10406287 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10068218 · 13,000 mi 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, ABOUT 13,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE. DROVE TO OFFICE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, & PARKED CAR. GOT OUT OF CAR & NOTED UNUSUAL SMELL DESPITE THAT GUAGES INDICATED "CHECKING OK"AY. *AK WENT INTO MY OFFICE & CALLED ZEE SAAB OF MILFORD WHERE NEW CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM & WHERE ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED. NO PROBLEMS HAD EVER BEEN NOTED WITH THE CAR. TOLD TO CALL SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH I DID. WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WHERE CAR WAS PARKED TO WAIT FOR ROADSIDE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA… Look up ODI 10068218 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	216.7% ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗	28.3% ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling	16.3% ODI 10209411 1999 SAAB 93 CAUGHT FIRE WHILE ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. SEEMS LIKE THE FIRE ORIGINATED UNDER THE HOOD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. KB (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)JB Look up ODI 10209411 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	28.3% ODI 10191644 · 91,526 mi WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. ALSO -3*F TEMPERATURE FURTHER IMPEDED OIL CIRCULATION. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. ENGINE SHORTBLOCK WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP Look up ODI 10191644 at NHTSA ↗	111.1% ODI 10068218 · 13,000 mi 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, ABOUT 13,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE. DROVE TO OFFICE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, & PARKED CAR. GOT OUT OF CAR & NOTED UNUSUAL SMELL DESPITE THAT GUAGES INDICATED "CHECKING OK"AY. *AK WENT INTO MY OFFICE & CALLED ZEE SAAB OF MILFORD WHERE NEW CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM & WHERE ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED. NO PROBLEMS HAD EVER BEEN NOTED WITH THE CAR. TOLD TO CALL SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH I DID. WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WHERE CAR WAS PARKED TO WAIT FOR ROADSIDE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA… Look up ODI 10068218 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	18.3% ODI 10164953 · 79,950 mi 2000 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE. ON COMMUTE HOME, WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF A DETECTED GASOLINE LEAK. GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE AUTO BY THE GAS TANK. POLICE HAD CAR FLAT BEDDED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE WAS FROM A "BROKEN CLIP THAT ATTACHED THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP". COSTS FOR REPAIR AND TO REFILL TANK TOTALED $1057.58. 2001 VEHICLES OF THIS SAME MODEL WERE ALREADY RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V557000). *NM Look up ODI 10164953 at NHTSA ↗	312.5% ODI 10097868 · 35,200 mi THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK. THE FITTING THAT GOES ON THE FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE LEAKED IT WOULD RUN ALONG THE GAS LINE WHICH WAS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF CONTACT WAS MADE. AK SC Look up ODI 10097868 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Seat Belts	212.5% ODI 10052301 · 19,000 mi TWISTED SEAT BELTS; FRONT AND REAR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS UNTWISTED THESE BELTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN A FEW CASES, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF WEEKS BEFORE I HAD TO RETURN TO HAVE THEM UNTWISTED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO VERY FORTHCOMING INFORMING ME THAT THIS IS A ONGOING OCCURENCE IN THIS SAAB MODEL. I CANNOT SEE WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, SINCE SAAB KNOWS OF THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. THEY ARE UNSAFE, AND I CANNOT SEE HOW THEY WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK Look up ODI 10052301 at NHTSA ↗	216.7% ODI 10495116 · 112,334 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME TIGHT AROUND THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BEGAN CHOKING FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT BECOMING TIGHTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,334. Look up ODI 10495116 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	16.3% ODI 10047178 · 31,000 mi ON, OR ABOUT THIS DATE, MY CONVERTIBLE TOP CEASED TO OPERATE. THE "RAMS" WERE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID, AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS MISSING TEETH IN ITS' GEAR RING. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 31,000 MILES AND JUST WENT OVER FOUR YEARS OLD IN FEBRUARY; WHICH WAS ALSO THE END OF ITS' MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I CONTACTED SAAB CARS USA TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS PREMATURE FAILURE OF SEVERAL PARTS WITHIN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THEY PAID FOR PARTS ON ONE OF THE REPAIRS (THE RAMS). FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT WITH THE TOP, AND AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, A INTERMEDIATE S… Look up ODI 10047178 at NHTSA ↗	18.3% ODI 10093558 · 65,401 mi VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATICLY. SAAB CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS AND DIAGNOSTICS!*AK Look up ODI 10093558 at NHTSA ↗	14.2% ODI 10367793 · 46,000 mi TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000. Look up ODI 10367793 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	Too few reports for a range	56,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10129404 · 38,000 mi I HAVE A 1999 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, BOUGHT CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM THE DEALER (SANTA MONICA SAAB) IN 2002. LAST SUMMER, THE CEL CAME ON AT ABOUT 38K, SO I HAD THE ENGINE SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANAGER THAT THE CODES INDICATED A DI CASSETTE FAILURE AND ALSO POSSIBLE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE AS A RESULT. AT THAT TIME, I HADN'T EXPERIENCED ANY ENGINE STALLING OR FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS WARNED THAT IT MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IF THE DI CASSETTE WASN'T REPLACED. I TOOK THAT RISK, DRIVING ON… Look up ODI 10129404 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10161279 · 84,942 mi DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO VEHICLES WERE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS ON THE DI CASSETTE OR THE ID MODULE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TWO VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER RECALL FOR THE PARTS AFFECTED. HOWEVER AFTER AN INVESTIGATION IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLES WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR WITH THE SAME PART. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 7/19/2006 - NM Look up ODI 10161279 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags	Too few reports for a range	166,092 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10749634 · 158,000 mi I WAS TRAVELING ALONG ON THE INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SIDE CURTAIN DRIVER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. IT NEARLY CAUSED ME TO WRECK FROM THE LOUD POP WHICH BLURRED MY VISION AS WELL. Look up ODI 10749634 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 11323899 · 174,183 mi DRIVING ALONG, MAYBE 20-30 MPH AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FOR NO REASON (SIDE, NOT STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG). . NO CRASH, NO IMPACT, JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT AND, BOOM! MY LEFT EAR IS RINGING AND MY LEFT ARM IS PROBABLY BRUISED. *TR Look up ODI 11323899 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	Too few reports for a range	52,239 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10229728 · 78,077 mi AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE SPENT $494.97 ON WHAT WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY, I HAVE A SAAB 93 CONVERTIBLE AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED LOSING POWER. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NEED THE DI-CASSETTE REPLACED. ON THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ALSO HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. TR Look up ODI 10229728 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10536926 · 86,500 mi HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR THREE MONTHS THEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TAKE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SLOWLY AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AFTER I MADE THE EXIT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION CASSETTE! SO DANGEROUS! *TR Look up ODI 10536926 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System:Ignition	Too few reports for a range	38,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10090611 · 38,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AUTO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A FAILED IGNITION CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY SINCE DAY ONE, IN SOME CASES FOR DAYS AT A TIME. I HAVE ASKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT SEVERAL DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF A LOOSE GAS CAP AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT (SAAB USA CLAIMS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLE… Look up ODI 10090611 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10129769 · 65,000 mi DIC FAILURE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILUER DI CASSETTE FAILURE. THOSE ARE THE TERMS I'VE HEARD FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL SAABS IN THE MODEL YEARS 99-04. I HAVE A 2001 9-3 CONVERTIBLE AND IT LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS IN EVERY SINGLE SAAB FOR MANY YEARS. LOSING POWER AT HIGH SPED IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT, BUT DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. SAAB NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL SAABS AND REPLACE THE DI CASSETTE WITH ONE THAT WORKS. PLEASE ORDER THIS IMMEDIATELY. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTIN… Look up ODI 10129769 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	89,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10191644 · 91,526 mi WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. ALSO -3F TEMPERATURE FURTHER IMPEDED OIL CIRCULATION. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. ENGINE SHORTBLOCK WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP Look up ODI 10191644 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10287104 · 89,000 mi WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 7,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A PEP BOYS LOCATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE LOST 2 CYLINDERS AND NEEDS TO BE COMPLE… Look up ODI 10287104 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10068218 · 13,000 mi 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, ABOUT 13,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE. DROVE TO OFFICE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, & PARKED CAR. GOT OUT OF CAR & NOTED UNUSUAL SMELL DESPITE THAT GUAGES INDICATED "CHECKING OK"AY. AK WENT INTO MY OFFICE & CALLED ZEE SAAB OF MILFORD WHERE NEW CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM & WHERE ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED. NO PROBLEMS HAD EVER BEEN NOTED WITH THE CAR. TOLD TO CALL SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH I DID. WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WHERE CAR WAS PARKED TO WAIT FOR ROADSIDE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA… Look up ODI 10068218 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Too few reports for a range	53,250 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10164953 · 79,950 mi 2000 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE. ON COMMUTE HOME, WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF A DETECTED GASOLINE LEAK. GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE AUTO BY THE GAS TANK. POLICE HAD CAR FLAT BEDDED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE WAS FROM A "BROKEN CLIP THAT ATTACHED THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP". COSTS FOR REPAIR AND TO REFILL TANK TOTALED $1057.58. 2001 VEHICLES OF THIS SAME MODEL WERE ALREADY RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V557000). NM Look up ODI 10164953 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10097868 · 35,200 mi THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK. THE FITTING THAT GOES ON THE FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE LEAKED IT WOULD RUN ALONG THE GAS LINE WHICH WAS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF CONTACT WAS MADE. AK *SC Look up ODI 10097868 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10164932 · 67,000 mi HAD JUST HAD AN UPDATE FRIDAY OF ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH GASOLINE / FUEL PUMP RUPTURE AND FAILURE LEADING TO EXCESSIVE GAS BEING PUMPED OUT . THEN ON SUNDAY, IT HAPPENED TO ME, A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN STOPPED FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. UPON ARRIVAL (10 MIN) TO DESTINATION, I LOOKED UNDER CAR, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING ALERTED FROM ".MYCARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION". GAS WAS EVERYWHERE! AND PUMPING OUT LIKE CRAZY, EVEN THOUGH IGNITION WAS OFF.. RESIDUAL PRESSURE I SUSPECT.. A LOT MORE CAME OUT.. THOUGH I LIVE IN CANADA , TH… Look up ODI 10164932 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	Too few reports for a range	99,167 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10052301 · 19,000 mi TWISTED SEAT BELTS; FRONT AND REAR ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS UNTWISTED THESE BELTS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. IN A FEW CASES, IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF WEEKS BEFORE I HAD TO RETURN TO HAVE THEM UNTWISTED AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALSO VERY FORTHCOMING INFORMING ME THAT THIS IS A ONGOING OCCURENCE IN THIS SAAB MODEL. I CANNOT SEE WHY THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED, SINCE SAAB KNOWS OF THEIR FAULTY DESIGN. THEY ARE UNSAFE, AND I CANNOT SEE HOW THEY WILL FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT.AK Look up ODI 10052301 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10372366 · 86,000 mi DRIVER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED. TR Look up ODI 10372366 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10495116 · 112,334 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME TIGHT AROUND THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BEGAN CHOKING FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT BECOMING TIGHTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,334. Look up ODI 10495116 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Too few reports for a range	46,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10047178 · 31,000 mi ON, OR ABOUT THIS DATE, MY CONVERTIBLE TOP CEASED TO OPERATE. THE "RAMS" WERE LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID, AND THE HYDRAULIC PUMP WAS MISSING TEETH IN ITS' GEAR RING. THIS CAR HAS ONLY 31,000 MILES AND JUST WENT OVER FOUR YEARS OLD IN FEBRUARY; WHICH WAS ALSO THE END OF ITS' MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. I CONTACTED SAAB CARS USA TO ADVISE THEM OF THIS PREMATURE FAILURE OF SEVERAL PARTS WITHIN THE CONVERTIBLE TOP. THEY PAID FOR PARTS ON ONE OF THE REPAIRS (THE RAMS). FOLLOWING THIS INCIDENT WITH THE TOP, AND AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED, A INTERMEDIATE S… Look up ODI 10047178 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10093558 · 65,401 mi VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATICLY. SAAB CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS AND DIAGNOSTICS!AK Look up ODI 10093558 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10367793 · 46,000 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000. Look up ODI 10367793 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2001: 6 complaints · 2002: 4 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2001	1	4	6
2002	1	1	4

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2001	23	1	0
2002	9	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Electrical System:Ignition:Module	Air Bags	Electrical System	Electrical System:Ignition	Engine And Engine Cooling	Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	Seat Belts	Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Electrical System:Ignition:Module	—	0	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Air Bags	0	—	0	0	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10068218 · 13,000 mi 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, ABOUT 13,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE. DROVE TO OFFICE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, & PARKED CAR. GOT OUT OF CAR & NOTED UNUSUAL SMELL DESPITE THAT GUAGES INDICATED "CHECKING OK"AY. *AK WENT INTO MY OFFICE & CALLED ZEE SAAB OF MILFORD WHERE NEW CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM & WHERE ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED. NO PROBLEMS HAD EVER BEEN NOTED WITH THE CAR. TOLD TO CALL SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH I DID. WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WHERE CAR WAS PARKED TO WAIT FOR ROADSIDE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA… Look up ODI 10068218 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Electrical System:Ignition	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	0	2 ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10043261 AT 75 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY, MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT DOWN, ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART. HAD TO COAST ACROSS THREE LANES OF BUSY TRAFFIC TO GET TO SHOULDER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, BURNING ELECTRICAL SMELL AND SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHERE FAILED THE CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. IS STILL IN SHOP 4 DAYS LATER. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON FOR 8 MONTHS, HAVE BEEN TOLD REPEATEDLY BY SAAB THAT IT'S BECAUSE I AM NOT TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP ENOUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AS USUAL, BUT I IGNORED IT, AS IT'S ON HALF THE … Look up ODI 10043261 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	1 ODI 10068218 · 13,000 mi 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, ABOUT 13,000 MILES CAUGHT ON FIRE. DROVE TO OFFICE, TURNED OFF ENGINE, & PARKED CAR. GOT OUT OF CAR & NOTED UNUSUAL SMELL DESPITE THAT GUAGES INDICATED "CHECKING OK"AY. *AK WENT INTO MY OFFICE & CALLED ZEE SAAB OF MILFORD WHERE NEW CAR WAS ORIGINALLY LEASED FROM & WHERE ALL SERVICES HAD BEEN PERFORMED. NO PROBLEMS HAD EVER BEEN NOTED WITH THE CAR. TOLD TO CALL SAAB ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHICH I DID. WENT BACK OUTSIDE TO WHERE CAR WAS PARKED TO WAIT FOR ROADSIDE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA… Look up ODI 10068218 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0	0
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Seat Belts	0	0	0	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

4 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

7 mentions · 11.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 46,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10136454 · 62,360 mi

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS HIGHWAY DRIVING; I PARKED THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND DIDN'T USE IT UNTIL THE MECHANIC WAS AVAILABLE. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED DIRECT IGNITION FAILURE, THE PART WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW PART. BEING A LONG-TIME SAAB OWNER, OF SEVERAL MODELS, I AM AWARE THAT CERTAIN MODELS HAVE ASSOCIATED PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THIS PART. *JB

Look up ODI 10136454 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10090611 · 38,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AUTO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A FAILED IGNITION CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY SINCE DAY ONE, IN SOME CASES FOR DAYS AT A TIME. I HAVE ASKED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AT SEVERAL DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT COULD BE BECAUSE OF A LOOSE GAS CAP AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT (SAAB USA CLAIMS THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLE…

Look up ODI 10090611 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10093558 · 65,401 mi

VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATICLY. SAAB CAN'T SEEM TO FIGURE OUT WHY THE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENTS AND DIAGNOSTICS!*AK

Look up ODI 10093558 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Stalling or loss of power

6 mentions · 9.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 46,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10129404 · 38,000 mi

I HAVE A 1999 9-3 CONVERTIBLE, BOUGHT CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED FROM THE DEALER (SANTA MONICA SAAB) IN 2002. LAST SUMMER, THE CEL CAME ON AT ABOUT 38K, SO I HAD THE ENGINE SERVICED AT THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MANAGER THAT THE CODES INDICATED A DI CASSETTE FAILURE AND ALSO POSSIBLE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE AS A RESULT. AT THAT TIME, I HADN'T EXPERIENCED ANY ENGINE STALLING OR FAILURE AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS WARNED THAT IT MIGHT FAIL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IF THE DI CASSETTE WASN'T REPLACED. I TOOK THAT RISK, DRIVING ON…

Look up ODI 10129404 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10033090 · 26,400 mi

MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY...THE DEALER REPACED THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE AND CAR WAS OKAY. *AK

Look up ODI 10033090 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10129769 · 65,000 mi

DIC FAILURE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILUER DI CASSETTE FAILURE. THOSE ARE THE TERMS I'VE HEARD FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL SAABS IN THE MODEL YEARS 99-04. I HAVE A 2001 9-3 CONVERTIBLE AND IT LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PART THAT IS IN EVERY SINGLE SAAB FOR MANY YEARS. LOSING POWER AT HIGH SPED IS NOT ONLY INCONVENIENT, BUT DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING. SAAB NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL ALL SAABS AND REPLACE THE DI CASSETTE WITH ONE THAT WORKS. PLEASE ORDER THIS IMMEDIATELY. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AFFECTIN…

Look up ODI 10129769 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

3 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 67,000 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10130862 · 76,354 mi

DT: CONSUMER STATES THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS THAT HOLD THE FUEL LINE TOGETHER FAILED ON A 1999 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONSUMER SMELLED GAS, WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT THE GAS WAS LEAKING OUT EVERYWHERE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MODELS 2001-2002 WERE RECALLED ON THE EXACT SAME THING. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE BEFORE THIS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD CONSUMER THAT HIS CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. IF THERE WERE MORE COMPLAINTS THEY WOULD BROADE…

Look up ODI 10130862 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10097868 · 35,200 mi

THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL LEAK. THE FITTING THAT GOES ON THE FUEL PUMP IS CRACKED. WHEN THE VEHICLE LEAKED IT WOULD RUN ALONG THE GAS LINE WHICH WAS NEAR THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF CONTACT WAS MADE. *AK *SC

Look up ODI 10097868 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10164932 · 67,000 mi

HAD JUST HAD AN UPDATE FRIDAY OF ANOTHER INCIDENT WITH GASOLINE / FUEL PUMP RUPTURE AND FAILURE LEADING TO EXCESSIVE GAS BEING PUMPED OUT . THEN ON SUNDAY, IT HAPPENED TO ME, A VERY STRONG GAS SMELL, ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN STOPPED FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME. UPON ARRIVAL (10 MIN) TO DESTINATION, I LOOKED UNDER CAR, ESPECIALLY AFTER BEING ALERTED FROM ".MYCARSTATS.COM/SAFETYSTATION". GAS WAS EVERYWHERE! AND PUMPING OUT LIKE CRAZY, EVEN THOUGH IGNITION WAS OFF.. RESIDUAL PRESSURE I SUSPECT.. A LOT MORE CAME OUT.. THOUGH I LIVE IN CANADA , TH…

Look up ODI 10164932 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 3.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 38,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10083812

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AL

Look up ODI 10083812 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10090611 · 38,000 mi

Look up ODI 10090611 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b