Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Saab 9-3 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,346 owner complaints analyzed

17 distinct recall campaigns

65,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1994 to 2011 model years. Data updated: . 897 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 347 of 1,346 complaints (25.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior13510.0%
Engine operation1198.8%
Electrical and battery issues725.3%
Steering behavior725.3%
Transmission and shifting554.1%
Fuel system concerns554.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
347
Seat Belts
141
Electrical System
122
Engine
116
Suspension:Front
79
Suspension
74
Engine And Engine Cooling
51
Fuel/Propulsion System
46
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags347
Seat Belts141
Electrical System122
Engine116
Suspension:Front79
Suspension74
Engine And Engine Cooling51
Fuel/Propulsion System46

Air Bags: 347; Seat Belts: 141; Electrical System: 122; Engine: 116; Suspension:Front: 79; Suspension: 74; Engine And Engine Cooling: 51; Fuel/Propulsion System: 46

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
146
25,000 to 49,999
163
50,000 to 74,999
216
75,000 to 99,999
174
100,000 to 149,999
154
150,000 and above
44
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000146
25,000 to 49,999163
50,000 to 74,999216
75,000 to 99,999174
100,000 to 149,999154
150,000 and above44

Under 25,000: 146; 25,000 to 49,999: 163; 50,000 to 74,999: 216; 75,000 to 99,999: 174; 100,000 to 149,999: 154; 150,000 and above: 44

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (216). 449 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1999
9
2000
6
2001
4
2002
8
2003
48
2004
51
2005
68
2006
67
2007
49
2008
79
2009
92
2010
72
2011
55
2012
45
2013
56
2014
102
2015
84
2016
246
2017
112
2018
35
2019
21
2020
15
2021
8
2022
2
2023
4
2024
5
2025
2
2026
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19999
20006
20014
20028
200348
200451
200568
200667
200749
200879
200992
201072
201155
201245
201356
2014102
201584
2016246
2017112
201835
201921
202015
20218
20222
20234
20245
20252
20261

1999: 9; 2000: 6; 2001: 4; 2002: 8; 2003: 48; 2004: 51; 2005: 68; 2006: 67; 2007: 49; 2008: 79; 2009: 92; 2010: 72; 2011: 55; 2012: 45; 2013: 56; 2014: 102; 2015: 84; 2016: 246; 2017: 112; 2018: 35; 2019: 21; 2020: 15; 2021: 8; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 2; 2026: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 135 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 119 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 72 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10018437 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IF TRAFFIC COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKING IS HORRIBLE. THE CAR DOES NOT GRIP THE ROAD IT SLIDES. WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, CAR HESITATES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN JERKS INTO ACTION. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR IS LITERALLY FALLING APART PIECE BY PIECE. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018437 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10131562 · 2005-08-04 (August 4, 2005)

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-70, THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE ENGINE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE SAAB PARTS DEALER, BOUGHT ANOTHER FOR AROUND $375, AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. ONCE THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131562 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057508 · 2004-02-04 (February 4, 2004)

WHILE DRIVING AT UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057508 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040562 · 2003-09-25 (September 25, 2003)

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 8,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10040562 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10089724 · 2004-08-20 (August 20, 2004)

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER WHEN THE FUSE TO THE FUEL PUMP BLOWS. *MR THE MECHANICS SUGGESTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. *SC *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10089724 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10168417 · 2006-09-15 (September 15, 2006)

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBEM UNTIL A SINGLE "CLUNKING NOISE" WAS DETECTED AND THEN THERE WAS NO POWER IN 5TH OR 4TH GEAR. BY THE TIME I DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS LIT. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESARTED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DISTRESS LANE AND SUMMON HELP (911). THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR…

Owner-reported narrative. 68,618 miles reported. Look up ODI 10168417 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10136658 · 2005-09-15 (September 15, 2005)

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (AKA DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, IDM, DI, DIC) HAS DIED ON MY 1999 9-3 2 TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT NOW HAS 66,000 MILES. WHEN THE DI CASSETTE DIES THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN WHICH CAN RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY DI CASSETTE FIRST DIED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START, NO PRIOR WARNINGS. A BRAND NEW DI CASSETTE FROM SAAB WAS PUT IN. THE 2ND DI CASSETTE DIED AT 63,000 MILES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT D…

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136658 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10180596 · 2007-01-24 (January 24, 2007)

THE DRIVER OF THE 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE ON MA RTE. 128 SOUTH. HER SON WAS IN A CHILD CARSEAT TIGHTLY BELTED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER. THE SWITCH ON THE BELT BUCKLE WAS SET TO THE "CHILD SEAT" SETTING. THE DRIVER SIGNALED AND BEGAN TO CHANGE LANES TO THE MIDDLE LANE WHICH WAS CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. AS SHE WAS SHIFTING LANES, ANOTHER VEHICLE, A LIGHT-COLORED SEDAN, BEGAN TO MOVE SHARPLY INTO THE MIDDLE LANE FROM THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID CO…

Owner-reported narrative. 122,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10180596 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061172 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)

DRIVER BRIEFLY FORGOT THAT THE CAR HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY ON AND THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, BUT DIDN'T HOLD THE VEHICLE. *LA *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061172 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

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

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1999
3
2000
2
2001
4
2002
4
2003
4
2004
5
2005
2
2006
2
2007
2
2008
2
2009
2
2010
3
2011
3
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19993
20002
20014
20024
20034
20045
20052
20062
20072
20082
20092
20103
20113

1999: 3; 2000: 2; 2001: 4; 2002: 4; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 3; 2011: 3

Year-by-year records

Saab 9-3 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
199410Not available
1999643Not available
2000502-1
2001594+2
20023740
200321240
20042075+1
2005952-3
200617920
200715520
200818420
20094320
2010303+1
20113030
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

1,346 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

66.6%Usable mileage897 / 1,346 records
98.9%Valid incident date1,331 / 1,346 records
100.0%Valid filing date1,346 / 1,346 records
98.8%Ordered incident and filing dates1,330 / 1,346 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.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011
Air Bags
1015.6%
ODI 10060024 · 48,000 mi

THE AIR BAG ALARM IS "ON" IN THE CAR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS! APPARENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT?? *JB SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK WHILE THE LIGHT IS "ON", AND SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH A SAFETY FEATURE, IT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AFTER ALL, THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. *JB

Look up ODI 10060024 at NHTSA ↗

1020.0%
ODI 10091066

MY SON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND WERE IN A SERIOUS ROLL OVER CAR ACCIDENT IN HER 2000 SAAB HATCHBACK. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, NEITHER FRONT NOR SIDE, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT AND DAMAGE ON FRONT AND SIDES.*AK

Look up ODI 10091066 at NHTSA ↗

46.8%
ODI 10619311 · 92,800 mi

TL * THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER DIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS 40-45 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 09/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE 7 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE A PILLAR AS WELL AS THE ROOF CAVED IN. POLICE DETERMINED VEHICLE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. UPDATED 1/13/2015 *JS

Look up ODI 10619311 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

125.7%
ODI 10032705 · 5,200 mi

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 30-35MPH FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. SEATBELT RESTRAINT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

Look up ODI 10032705 at NHTSA ↗

167.7%
ODI 10107060

AIR BAG CAN DISCHARGED WITHOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. *BF THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THE AIR BAGS TO BE DISCONNECTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DUE TO PREVIOUS INJURIES. *SC *JB

Look up ODI 10107060 at NHTSA ↗

1010.5%
ODI 10839801

TAKATA RECALL CANT TRUST MY CAR IF I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS

Look up ODI 10839801 at NHTSA ↗

8648.0%
ODI 10226026 · 32,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY A SAAB DEALER. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK FAILED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER OCCURRENCES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

Look up ODI 10226026 at NHTSA ↗

6441.3%
ODI 10255340 · 19 mi

MY WIFE AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN OUR 2007 SAAB 9-3 2.0 T CONVERTIBLE. WE WERE HEADING EASTBOUND ON SR610 IN STAFFORD, VA AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS HEADING WESTBOUND. THE OTHER DRIVER MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF US FAILING TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND WE STRUCK HIS CAR IN THE RIDE SIDE (T-BONE). HIS CAR WAS TOTALED AND WE HAD SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH MY WIFE AND I ARE STILL RECOVERING FROM OUR INJURIES AND UNDER CURRENT MEDICAL CARE. I CONTACTED MY SAAB DEALERSH…

Look up ODI 10255340 at NHTSA ↗

7138.6%
ODI 10852918

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10852918 at NHTSA ↗

1739.5%
ODI 10836717

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART OR REMEDY FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10836717 at NHTSA ↗

2273.3%
ODI 10852769 · 66,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 05/10/16*LJ *TR

Look up ODI 10852769 at NHTSA ↗

2583.3%
ODI 10854974

TAKATA RECALL GM/SAAB HAS NO PARTS TO DELIVER TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER TO REPLACE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO MAKE THE CAR SAFE TO DRIVE. GM CLAIMS THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT A HIGH RISK IN NEW YORK.

Look up ODI 10854974 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts
34.7%
ODI 10607049 · 144,196 mi

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SINCE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS IS DANGEROUS, THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. *TR

Look up ODI 10607049 at NHTSA ↗

36.0%
ODI 10436634 · 6,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY PULLING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT OUT OF ITS PRETENSIONER. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE SEAT BELT WAS OPERATED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER, THE PRETENSIONER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10436634 at NHTSA ↗

11.7%
ODI 10610224 · 95,000 mi

WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKS REPEATEDLY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LEAN FORWARD TO SEE IF THE INTERSECTION IS CLEAR. EVEN AFTER SLOWLY LEANING ALL OF THE WAY BACK AND TRYING TO LEAN FORWARD AGAIN, IT LOCKS. THE SEAT BELT MUST BE REMOVED TO AVOID BEING HELD BACK IN THE SEAT AND UNABLE TO SEE. IN ADDITION, WHEN TRYING TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT, THE BUTTON STICKS AND MUST BE PRESSED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE IT RELEASES. *TR

Look up ODI 10610224 at NHTSA ↗

38.1%
ODI 10678241 · 100,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Look up ODI 10678241 at NHTSA ↗

73.3%
ODI 10032705 · 5,200 mi

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 30-35MPH FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. SEATBELT RESTRAINT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

Look up ODI 10032705 at NHTSA ↗

6732.4%
ODI 10261499 · 47,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HER FRONT SEAT BELT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE RETRACTOR FAILED. THIS PREVENTED THE BELT WEBBING FROM RETRACTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $497 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

Look up ODI 10261499 at NHTSA ↗

2021.1%
ODI 10404027 · 95,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER FOLDING THE SEAT BACK THE SEAT BELT BECAME LOCKED IN PLACE AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED HIM TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

Look up ODI 10404027 at NHTSA ↗

147.8%
ODI 10511970 · 90,000 mi

TWO ITEMS: 1. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH WHEN PULLED FORWARD AND WOULD UNRAVEL AND NOT RETURN. THE SEATBELT FAILS TO STOP THE PASSENGER SHOULD THERE BE A SUDDEN STOP. 2. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR

Look up ODI 10511970 at NHTSA ↗

63.9%
ODI 10507115 · 46,000 mi

SEAT BELT REFUSES TO RETRACT. THE SEAT BELT IS NOW COMPLETELY UNWOUND AND DOES NOT RETRACT. *TR

Look up ODI 10507115 at NHTSA ↗

105.4%
ODI 10604787 · 70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS STOPPED WORKING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE THE SEAT BELT INTO THE LATCH; HOWEVER, WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER MOVED FORWARD BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO SECURE THEM. NONE OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE …

Look up ODI 10604787 at NHTSA ↗

24.7%
ODI 10662609 · 25,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS TO RETRACT. THE DRIVER SIDE HAS SOME RETRACTION LEFT AND PASSENGER SIDE HAS NONE LEFT. I FOUND THE RECALL NOTICE FROM JUNE 2014 HOWEVER IT ONLY MENTIONS THE CONVERTIBLE MODEL WHILE MY VEHICLE IS THE STATION WAGON. THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER OTHER MODELS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Look up ODI 10662609 at NHTSA ↗

26.7%
ODI 10492375 · 10,500 mi

MONTHS AGO, DRIVER'S SEATBELT LIGHT WOULD COME ON, DRIVER WOULD THEN PUSH HARDER ON SEATBELT BUCKLE WHICH WOULD 'CLICK' AGAIN (SECOND TIME) AND SECURE. RECENTLY, DRIVER WOULD CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND PURPOSELY NOTE 'CLICK' IN BUCKLE MECHANISM YET LIGHT WOULD COME ON ANYWAY. DRIVER HAD TO DISENGAGE AND RE CLICK SEATBELT 2-3 TRIES. THIS MORNING, THE METAL COMPONENT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE. DRIVER HAD TO ATTACH SEATBELT RESTRAINT INTO PASSENGER'S BUCKLE. THE ALARM SOUNDED, LIGHT IN DASH INDICATING NO SEATBELT USAGE. DRIVER FEARS SAFE…

Look up ODI 10492375 at NHTSA ↗

310.0%
ODI 10919701

HI ALL, WE RECEIVE A NOTICE SEVERAL MONTHS AGO REGARDING A RECALL TO THE AIRBAGS IN OUR CAR. AT THE TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS CURRENTLY NO REMEMDY. I JUST CHECKED SAFECAR.GOV TO CHECK IF THERE WERE ANY UPDATES AND IT SAYS "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE " WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT USING THIS CAR AS RECENTLY AN ELEVENTH PERSON WAS KILLED BY THESE AIRBAGS. IS THERE SOME WAY TO EXPEDITE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS? THANKS YOU SO MUCH FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER. SCOTT

Look up ODI 10919701 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System
57.8%
ODI 10094307

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND THE COMPUTER RECORDED A CODE REFERRING TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *AK

Look up ODI 10094307 at NHTSA ↗

918.0%
ODI 10047492 · 45,000 mi

FAILED DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE LEAVES MOTORIST STRANDED. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS THAT THE ENGINE WILL STOP WITH NO WARNING - EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS OF TRAVEL. *LA

Look up ODI 10047492 at NHTSA ↗

813.6%
ODI 10080732 · 49,000 mi

SAAB 9-3 (2001) AUTOMATIC 49000 MILES STALLED ON FREEWAY WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AFTER BRAKING (BUT STILL MOVING) FOR CONGESTION. RESTART SUBSEQUENT TO STALL DID NOT SUCCEED. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALER (B&B SAAB). SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED -- FIRST TIME (SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES) THE DEALER SAID A SOFTWARE UPGRADE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY THINK IT IS THE THROTTLE UNIT. LUCKY ON BOTH OCCASSIONS NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.*AK

Look up ODI 10080732 at NHTSA ↗

1027.0%
ODI 10116082 · 48,000 mi

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE HAD BURNT OUT SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE MODULE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY, BUT SLOW TRAFFIC. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, SO THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT IS SURPRISING AND DISCONCERTING. I HAVE LITTLE FAITH THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*A…

Look up ODI 10116082 at NHTSA ↗

3617.0%
ODI 10002905

MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 WITH 900 MILES HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE SERVICED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONS. I HAVE LEASED THIS CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIRS BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THE COMPUTER PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND HAVE ALSO BEEN A NUISANCE. THE LOCKING SYSTEM ON THE CAR HAS FAILED TO WORK ON MORE THAN 3 OCCASIONS LEAVING THE CAR UN-LOCKABLE AND IT HAS TRIGGERED THE ALARM SYSTEM ON MANY OCCASIONS. THE DOME LIGHT WILL LIGHT AND STAY ON WHEN I AM DRIVING MAKING IT D…

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115.3%
ODI 10051943 · 766 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND LEAVING A SHOPPING MALL CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES, AND SECONDS LATER THE TRACTION CONTROL FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE STALLED, AND COULD NOT BE STARTED. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER TWICE, WHO REPLACED THE T6ECM OR MAIN COMPUTER.*AK

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99.5%
ODI 10118621

SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE THE DIGITAL COMPASS ALWAYS READS NORTH AND CALIBRATED. WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEY ADVISED ME THE SAAB REPRESENTATIVE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ALL OF THE CONVERTIBLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SECONDARY TO A MAGNETIC FIELD CREATED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.*AK

Look up ODI 10118621 at NHTSA ↗

105.6%
ODI 10155628 · 3,900 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS LOCKS AND THE TRUNK RELEASE AS WELL. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND TRUNK CAME OPEN ON ONE OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB

Look up ODI 10155628 at NHTSA ↗

127.7%
ODI 10277396 · 14,500 mi

2007 SAAB 9-3, WOULDN'T START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE ERROR MESSAGE RECEIVED WHEN INSERTING THE KEY WAS "LOCK MALFUNCTION. PULL OVER SAFELY". THIS MESSAGE AND THE INCIDENT IS IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2005 SAAB 9-3, WHICH HAD TO BE TOWED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION. I KNOW AT LEAST THREE OTHER SAAB OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, ONE WHO JUST PURCHASED HIS 2009 SAAB THIS YEAR. I ACTUALLY FILED A CLAIM WITH S…

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116.0%
ODI 10250425 · 7,000 mi

2008 SAAB 93 2.0T SEDAN STALLED (NO SPUTTER OR BUCK, BUT JUST A LOSS OF POWER) WHILE DRIVING. RESULTED IN A COLLISION. INITIAL DEALERSHIP MECHANICS HAVE "NO FINDINGS" - THEY WILL HAVE A FIELD ENGINEER INVESTIGATE TOMORROW. *TR

Look up ODI 10250425 at NHTSA ↗

12.3%
ODI 10712426 · 18,200 mi

SINCE 18000 MILES THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN DISPLAYING "SYSTEM FAILURE..TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM". IT HAS BEEN RE CALIBRATED SEVERAL TIMES. TODAY AT 47000 MILES THE AUTHORIZED SAAB REPAIR FACILITY HAS DECLARED THAT THE MONITORS ARE THE OLD STYLE, WHICH HAS HAD MANY PROBLEMS AND HAS BEEN SINCE RE-ENGINEERED. LAST WEEK, THE AUTHORIZED SAAB REPAIR FACILITY MAINTAINED THAT A RECALIBRATION WAS NECESSARY... COST $105 . THE FIX ON THIS IS $550 +. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! THERE IS NEVER A WAY OF KNOWING IF THERE IS A PROBLEM SINCE THE MESSAGE COMES ON AND OF…

Look up ODI 10712426 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

11.7%
ODI 11320371

NO INCIDENT

Look up ODI 11320371 at NHTSA ↗

12.7%
ODI 11554987

The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.

Look up ODI 11554987 at NHTSA ↗

73.3%
ODI 10535307 · 107,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VERY SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF PERFORMANCE). ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO RESET PROBLEM IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE CONDITION WILL GO AWAY FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES OR UP TO AS MUCH AS 2 HOURS OF DRIVI…

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31.4%
ODI 10759779 · 151,000 mi

APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING, THE CAR STALLED ON A BUSY, 6 LANE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AGAIN, OR EVEN ATTEMPT TO IGNITE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CAR SPENT 2 DAYS IN THE MECHANIC, WHO WAS ABLE TO SOURCE A P1605 ERROR CODE. HOWEVER, HE TOLD US ONLY A LICENSED SAAB TECHNICIAN COULD EXTRACT DETAILS FROM THE CODE. WHILE AT THE SHOP, THE CAR WAS ALSO STARTED BY THE MECHANICS AND APPEARED TO BE WORKING NORMALLY, UPON WHICH THEY DELETED THE ERROR CODE. TWO DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT, WE DROVE IT BACK APPROXIMAT…

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

52.8%
ODI 10496656 · 78,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP/OTHER MECHANIC RESETS THE CODES AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS A EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART COSTS $425. NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE FOUND THIS PART FOR UNDER $45. THIS IS CRAP!!! I HAVE EVEN FOUND TUTORIALS ON HOW TO DO IT, 1 HOUR JOB. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO. NOW THEY FIND THE PROBLEM? A LITTLE SUSPIC…

Look up ODI 10496656 at NHTSA ↗

1811.6%
ODI 10479339 · 33,000 mi

ON AUGUST 27, 2012, WHILE SHOPPING IN THE MALL, I CAME OUT SIDE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT PUTTING A FIRE OUT THAT LOOKS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN THE STORE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE CARE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR IT SEEMED TO BE FINE. THE FIRE MARSHALL REPORT SIDE THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT STARTED BECAUSE A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

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6635.9%
ODI 10458478 · 42,000 mi

MY SAAB IS A 2008 9-3 AERO WITH A 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN OCTOBER 2010, WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE WHILE ALREADY AT SPEED (I.E., PASSING MANEUVER) THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SPUTTERS AND DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATE. THE STUTTERING MAKES PASSING IN TRAFFIC A RISKY/DANGEROUS MOVE. I HAVE MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR INVESTIGATION AND AM REPEATEDLY TOLD THAT THIS IS THE NORMAL BEHAVIOR FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. (I HAVE NEVER HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAR ACT LIKE THIS.) NEARLY TWO YEARS LATER…

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1227.9%
ODI 10563904 · 80,000 mi

MY SAAB HAS WORN INTAKE VALVE SEATS WHICH WAS CONFIRMED WITH A COMPRESSION TEST. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, MY CAR IS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING COLD. ACCORDING TO MULTIPLE SAAB BLOGS, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND IS POSSIBLY CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR

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26.7%
ODI 10495004 · 12,000 mi

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS I OWNED IT. AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A REPAIR MADE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OF STALLING OCCURRED TODAY ON THE ON-RAMP OF A BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER, ON A CURVE GOING UPHILL, AND NO EXIT FOR TWO MILES OF BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITH NO NO…

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13.3%
ODI 11151821 · 120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF COOLANT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND SCREWS WERE MISSING THAT CONNECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO THE MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

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Suspension:Front
11.6%
ODI 10016750 · 48,143 mi

CRADLE BOLT HEAD (SAAB PART NUMBER 43-45-674) WAS FOUND UNDER LEFT SIDE OF CAR. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FRACTURED. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO POT HOLE. IT COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN OVER TOQURED AT INSTALLATION/SERVICE, OR DEFETIVE BOLT.

Look up ODI 10016750 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

2712.7%
ODI 10225662 · 39,550 mi

1. THERE IS A DISTINCT SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS, IT RATTLES ON THE DRIVER SIDE, STRUT. BROUGHT IT TO A SAAB DEALERSHIP THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT TO A SMALL SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE DUST COVERS ON THE FRONT STRUTS AND AFTER BRINGING IT BACK SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. BOTH SHOPS STATE THAT THE STRUTS ARE JUST FINE. RATTLES LIKE THE STRUT IS READY TO FALL OFF. HAVE NO MORE IDEA WHERE TO GO. SAAB DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF A SPORT SEDAN. I DON'T BELI…

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2914.0%
ODI 10233096 · 43,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 35~40MPH SUDDEN VERY LOUD POP NOISE. DIDN'T HIT A HOLE OR ANYTHING. CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT STOP TO THE SIDE TO INSPECT THE TIRES. NO FLAT TIRES AND CAR SEEMED STRUCTURALLY OK. CONTINUED TO DRIVE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. A RATTLING NOISE WAS ALWAYS PRESENT OVER BUMPS. FINALLY LOOKED BEHIND THE FRONT LEFT TIRE AND SAW THE COIL SPRING WAS BROKE IN TWO LOCATIONS. *TR

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1515.8%
ODI 10230949 · 56,000 mi

I HAVE A 2005 SAAB 9-3 WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WHICH POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE NOT LIMITED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHREDDED TIRE. LUCKILY THIS ISSUE WAS CAUGHT QUICKLY AND BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE LAPSED AT 50,000 MILES AND SAAB IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE PART. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR CASES - SOME BREAKAGES HAPPENING AT SPEED AND SHREDDING TIRES. SIMILAR ISSUES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.SAABSCEN…

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42.2%
ODI 10300341 · 35,500 mi

COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 WITH 35500 MILES BROKE. IT RUBBED ON MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE WHICH MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

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31.9%
ODI 10327116 · 28,000 mi

MY 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO SEDAN HAD A BROKEN FRONT SPRING. THE VEHICLE HAS 28,00 MILES. *TR

Look up ODI 10327116 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Suspension
46.3%
ODI 551011

DRIVER EXPERIENCED FLAT TIRE CAUSED BY BUBBLE, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 4500 MILES ON IT TOO WEAK. YH

Look up ODI 551011 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

52.4%
ODI 10113551 · 10,000 mi

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH 2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR AS ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT APPEAR AND ECT. *BF THERE WERE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN ROOF REMAINING STUCK OPEN, STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEMS, LOW FRONT HEAD BEAM, GETTING AIR TO THE GAS CAP, THE MUD FLAP WAS CRACKED, AND ON ONE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. *SC *JB

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188.7%
ODI 10296720 · 49,875 mi

DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING "BROKE" WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 ON THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 50 MPH. CAUSED SIGNIFICANT STRUT DAMAGE AND RATTLING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS I WAS WORKING TO SCHEDULE IN A MECHANIC VISIT. THEY FINALLY QUOTED ME $930 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. APPARENTLY, A LOT OF OTHER SAABS OF THE SAME MODEL HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ARISE FOR THEM, I THINK THE SPRINGS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

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1414.7%
ODI 10284047 · 43,920 mi

FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE. *TR

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31.7%
ODI 10155628 · 3,900 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS LOCKS AND THE TRUNK RELEASE AS WELL. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND TRUNK CAME OPEN ON ONE OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB

Look up ODI 10155628 at NHTSA ↗

1912.3%
ODI 10267592

MANY 2003-2005 SAAB 9-3'S ARE UNEXPECTEDLY FACING THEIR FACTORY SPRINGS BREAKING WHILE DRIVING. THIS FORUM THREAD SPECIFICALLY SHOWS ABOUT 10-15 PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY ENCOUNTERED THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM HTTP://SAABCENTRAL.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=155844 . IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE THAT STOCK FACTORY SPRINGS ARE BREAKING ON THESE VEHICLES. I SUGGEST THAT YOU PRESSURE SAAB INTO PUTTING OUT A RECALL, AS EVERYONE BROKE THEIR SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING. *TR

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105.4%
ODI 10455085 · 47,583 mi

REPLACED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS AT RECOMMENDATION OF DEALER. ONE SPRING WAS BROKEN COMPLETELY AT BOTTOM (ON DRIVER'S SIDE), AND THE OTHER WAS CRACKED (ON PASSENGER SIDE). SPACER LEAFS WERE REPLACED ALSO. I'VE RETAINED THE PARTS. EXPENSE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH THE CAR HAS ONLY 47,500 MILES. IT IS 4 YEARS, 5 MONTHS OLD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

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00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

13.3%
ODI 11074242

PUMP ON REAR XWD FAILURE

Look up ODI 11074242 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling
46.3%
ODI 10040562 · 8,600 mi

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM

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816.0%
ODI 10053174 · 100,000 mi

I AM THE CURRENT OWNER OF A SAAB 9-3SE. THIS VEHICLE WAS LEASED NEW 2-28-2000 AND THEN PURCHASED 2-27-03. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REBUILT AT 46,000 MILES IN 2001 AND NOW HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN 12-15-2003 AT 100,000 MILES.*AK

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711.9%
ODI 10152762 · 93,977 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH, THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE THREW A ROD. AFTER TWO MONTHS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE OIL PAN CAUSING THE OIL TO BECOME VERY THICK, CAUSING OIL STARVATION TO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ENGINE.

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25.4%
ODI 10070014 · 24,000 mi

THE BLOWER ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. IN ADDITION I WENT IN TWICE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE HEATING UNIT OR CLIMATE CONTROL. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED IT, BUT IT STILL TURNS OFF AND SETS TO ZERO. NOW THE HEAT WILL COME ON WHEREAS IT DIDN'T BEFORE. I RECENTLY (LAST WEEK FEB. 16) DOWN SHIFTED IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AHEAD. I DOWN SHIFTED FOR FIVE TO FOUR TO THREE AND THE CAR TURNED OFF AND I DRIFTED TO THE SIDE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY LOOKED AT IT LATER THE FOLLOWING WEEK. I HAD TO CALL…

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157.1%
ODI 10016784 · 1,800 mi

I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 SAAB 9-3 ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND IT HAS APPROX. 1800 MILES ON IT. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING FOLLOWED BY COMPLETE POWER. LUCKILY I WAS ON A BACK ROAD AND PULLED OVER SAFELY. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT OUTCOME. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY ISSUE.

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31.4%
ODI 10115268 · 15,123 mi

OWNER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE "B" REAR ENDED OWNER'S VEHICLE WHILE BEING DRIVEN AT 70 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OWNER SUSTAINED INJURIES, WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND RELEASED. *AK

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33.2%
ODI 10168626

LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED 4 TIMES ON 5/17/2006, 4/17/2006. 04/7/2006/AND 4/03/2006. SERVICED EACH TIME BY SAAB DEALER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM NATIONAL TECHNICAL. PROBLEMS CONTINUED. MADE REQUEST FOR RE-PURCHASE UNDER LEMON LAWS OF ST OF WA. CAR RE-PURCHASED BY SAAB USA. *JB

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31.7%
ODI 10221580 · 12,500 mi

THE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS CRACKED THREE TIMES IN 16 MONTHS ON MY BRAND NEW SAAB 9-3 AERO 2006. IT ONLY HAS APRX. 12K MILES. SAAB REPLACES IT FOR FREE, BUT OFFERS NOT FURTHER EXPLANATION EVEN UPON REQUEST BY OWNER. THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL AND THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH CAR ACCORDING TO SERVICE DEPT. ON THE FIRST AND MOST RECENT INCIDENT, OF THREE INCIDENTS, THERE WAS COMBUSTION OF THE COOLANT RESERVOIR, AND RESULTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE IS UP TO DATE ON INSURANCE, SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND LEASE PAYMENTS. I HAVE THIS DOCUMENT…

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42.6%
ODI 10231264 · 38,700 mi

2007 SAAB 9-3 WENT ON FIRE WITH DRIVER IN IT. CAR WAS SERVICED AT MASSEY SAAB, ORLANDO, FLON JUNE 3RD, 2008 (40,000 MILE SERVICE, ELECTRICAL REPAIRS, DETAIL, WHEEL ALIGNMENT). VEHICLE WAS IN MCDONALD'S DRIVE-THROUGH IN ORLANDO FL ON JUNCTION OF 535 N AND HOTEL PLAZA BLVD. ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANGER OF MCDONALD'S (FREDERICO) AND I (DRIVER) PUSHED CAR AWAY FROM BUILDING AND OTHER PEOPLE. FLAMES ENTERED CABIN WHILE I WAS IN THE VEHICLE STEERING IT. I JUMPED OUT JUST IN TIME, AND THE WHOLE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES. THERE HAVE BEEN RECORDS O…

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10.5%
ODI 10341608 · 4,500 mi

2008 SAAB 9-3 TURBO X. I HAD A ENGINE MISFIRE WITH FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION. CAUSED THE CAR TO RUN REALLY ROUGH WITH REDUCED POWER. WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY UNSAFE HAD IT HAPPENED WHILE PASSING SOMEONE. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BAD IGNITION COIL. ONE COIL WAS REPLACED BUT THE CAR STILL WAS RUNNING ROUGH AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIX IT. FROM RESEARCHING ONLINE, IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 2008 SAAB TURBO X. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON FAULTY IGNITION COILS. *TR

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12.3%
ODI 10609309 · 60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND HAD TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Look up ODI 10609309 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Fuel/Propulsion System
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

23.4%
ODI 10903028 · 114,000 mi

WHEN I CHANGED THE BATTERY OF THE CAR KEY, ITS DOORS AND TRUNK STOPPED LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE BELT OF THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN ALSO. I REPLACED ALSO THE FUEL TANK.

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25.4%
ODI 10767290 · 65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE IN PARK, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAB ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAI…

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20.9%
ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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31.4%
ODI 10515849 · 95,112 mi

FILLED GAS TANK AND GAUGE READ FULL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, GAUGE READ EMPTY. ONCE 1/4 OF THE TANK WAS USED, GAUGE POPPED BACK UP TO 3/4 FULL. *TR

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55.3%
ODI 10501474 · 66,486 mi

VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR

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105.6%
ODI 10496656 · 78,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP/OTHER MECHANIC RESETS THE CODES AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS A EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART COSTS $425. NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE FOUND THIS PART FOR UNDER $45. THIS IS CRAP!!! I HAVE EVEN FOUND TUTORIALS ON HOW TO DO IT, 1 HOUR JOB. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO. NOW THEY FIND THE PROBLEM? A LITTLE SUSPIC…

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42.6%
ODI 10520898

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Look up ODI 10520898 at NHTSA ↗

137.1%
ODI 10511947 · 49,000 mi

SINCE DECEMBER 2012 (6 MONTHS AGO) MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ON A BAD FUEL PUMP INDICATED BY CEL AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS RUN BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS FOR AN XWD CAR WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY THAN THE FWD VERSION. THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER BY SAAB PARTS (UNDER WARRANTY BY GM) AND HAS NO EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE. PER MY KNOWLEDGE THERE ARE OVER 75 PEOPLE IN FRONT ME WAITING FOR THE SAME PART. I AM CONCERNED THE FUEL PUMP WILL FAIL DURING POSSIBLE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS SUCH AS HIGH SPEED DRIVING AND MANEUVERING…

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49.3%
ODI 10723963 · 7,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP AND IT NEEDED T BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E009000 (FUEL SYSTEM AND GASOLINE). …

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13.3%
ODI 11185692

FUEL PUMP DEFICIENCY. WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO WARM UP BEFORE USING IT I NOTICE AND EAR THAT IT STALL. AFTER A SECOND IT ACCELERATE TO A NORMAL RPM. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE NEW (2010). I NEVER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL NOTICE!

Look up ODI 11185692 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
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air Bags50,000–130,000 mi92,400 mi68
ODI 10060024 · 48,000 mi

THE AIR BAG ALARM IS "ON" IN THE CAR, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT WILL BE IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT WITHIN THE LAST 15 MONTHS! APPARENTLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT?? *JB SINCE THERE IS NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK WHILE THE LIGHT IS "ON", AND SINCE THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH A SAFETY FEATURE, IT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. AFTER ALL, THE CAR IS STILL DRIVABLE WHILE THE LIGHT IS ON. *JB

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ODI 10081902 · 44,242 mi

PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM IN 1999 SAAB.*MR THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP TRIED FOUR TIMES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST THREE TIMES THEY DID NOT REPAIR ANYTHING, THEY JUST TURNED OFF THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE LAST TIME THEY REPLACED A PART, HOWEVER THEY PROBLEM CONTINUED. *JB

Look up ODI 10081902 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10260486 · 138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE WIRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHI…

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Seat Belts59,500–116,000 mi89,000 mi107
ODI 10607049 · 144,196 mi

THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SINCE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS IS DANGEROUS, THE VEHICLE IS UNUSABLE. *TR

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ODI 10610676 · 121,000 mi

DRIVERS SEAT BELT STUCK IN RETRACTED POSITION. UNABLE TO USE STUCK BELT. AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT OF THIS. NO SEATBELT OR AIRBAG. THIS IS A CONVERTIBLE NOT COVERED IN THE CURRENT RECALL BUT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

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ODI 10660042 · 114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

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Electrical System32,250–99,125 mi68,743 mi102
ODI 10182244 · 111,500 mi

I HAVE A 1999 SAAB 9-3 WITH MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. THE BLOWER SWITCH WAS ERRATIC FOR A FEW WEEKS (ON/OFF POSITION SHIFTED) BUT LAST NIGHT DURING A SHORT JOURNEY THE BLOWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND A BAD ODOR BECAME PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THIS MORNING I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER SWITCH AND WIRING CONNECTOR AND WIRES HAVE MELTED. IT IS LIKELY THAT IF THE JOURNEY HAD BEEN LONGER A FIRE WOULD HAVE RESULTED. THE SWITCH AND CONNECTOR AND WIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE REASON FOR THE BLOWER SWITCH ERRATIC BEHAVIOR NEEDS TO BE INVEST…

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ODI 10260486 · 138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE WIRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHI…

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ODI 10286068 · 128,800 mi

FOR MY 1999 SAAB 9-3, BASE ENGINE, I REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE, AT 128,800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE PART ALONE WAS $488 AND THE TOTAL INSTALLATION COST AND PARTS (INCLUDING A HOSE AND FOUR SPARK PLUGS) WAS $760. MODEL YEARS 2000 THROUGH 2002 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PART. *TR

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Engine72,950–105,573 mi87,000 mi103
ODI 10535307 · 107,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VERY SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF PERFORMANCE). ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO RESET PROBLEM IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE CONDITION WILL GO AWAY FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES OR UP TO AS MUCH AS 2 HOURS OF DRIVI…

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ODI 10627328 · 106,145 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. SLOWED AND STOPPED VEHICLE OFF SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED KEY TO OFF POSITION, THEN RE-STARTED VEHICLE WHEN TURNED KEY TO ON. CAR RAN FINE AFTER RE-STARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. SUSPECT DEFECTIVE IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. *TR

Look up ODI 10627328 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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Suspension:Front48,143–75,000 mi63,000 mi73
ODI 10016750 · 48,143 mi

CRADLE BOLT HEAD (SAAB PART NUMBER 43-45-674) WAS FOUND UNDER LEFT SIDE OF CAR. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FRACTURED. CAUSE UNKNOWN, BUT DEALER STATED IT WAS DUE TO POT HOLE. IT COULD HAVE ALSO BEEN OVER TOQURED AT INSTALLATION/SERVICE, OR DEFETIVE BOLT.

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ODI 10225662 · 39,550 mi

1. THERE IS A DISTINCT SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER BUMPS, IT RATTLES ON THE DRIVER SIDE, STRUT. BROUGHT IT TO A SAAB DEALERSHIP THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. BROUGHT IT TO A SMALL SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE DUST COVERS ON THE FRONT STRUTS AND AFTER BRINGING IT BACK SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. BOTH SHOPS STATE THAT THE STRUTS ARE JUST FINE. RATTLES LIKE THE STRUT IS READY TO FALL OFF. HAVE NO MORE IDEA WHERE TO GO. SAAB DEALERSHIP STATES THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO SOUND LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF A SPORT SEDAN. I DON'T BELI…

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ODI 10232407 · 36,000 mi

BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 BROKE. A FRONT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION DUE TO THE BREAK. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER THAT WANTS TO CHARGE $1100 FOR THE FIX BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY 6,000 MILES. I AM ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING SAAB USA. *TR

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Suspension55,700–94,871 mi70,905 mi66
ODI 10113551 · 10,000 mi

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH 2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR AS ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT APPEAR AND ECT. *BF THERE WERE REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE SUN ROOF REMAINING STUCK OPEN, STABILITY CONTROL PROBLEMS, LOW FRONT HEAD BEAM, GETTING AIR TO THE GAS CAP, THE MUD FLAP WAS CRACKED, AND ON ONE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. *SC *JB

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ODI 10567588 · 94,304 mi

DRIVING DOWN STREET AT 30 MPH. LEFT SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE. SPRING STUCK OUT AND SHREDDED TIRE. LEFT SIDE OF CAR DROPPED, WHICH THEN CAUSED RIGHT SIDE SPRING TO COME OFF AND CUT RIGHT SIDE TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING / STRUT ASSEMBLIES, AND REPLACE 2 TIRES. RESEARCHED PROBLEM, FOUND THAT GM MANUFACTURED THESE CARS IN 2003 - 2006 AND WAS OFFERING A WARRANTY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY SAAB IS SEVERAL MONTHS PAST THE WARRANTY DATES BUT NOT THE MILEAGE LIMIT. HOWEVER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE. VE…

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ODI 10597760 · 60,000 mi

I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION. I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK MY RECORDS, BUT I BELIEVE IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25K MILES ON IT. THE SPRINGS ARE STILL IN TACT, BUT I WOULD NOTICE A VERY LOUD CREAKING NOISE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS IN PARKING LOTS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION. AFTER READING THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF BROKEN SPRINGS, I NOW KNOW WHY I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THI…

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Engine And Engine Cooling15,781–83,010 mi60,000 mi44
ODI 10040562 · 8,600 mi

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM

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ODI 10043249 · 35,000 mi

I WANTED TO ALERT YOU TO A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE '99 SAAB 9-3. THEY HAVE A CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE THE VENTILATION SYSTEM CONTROLS TO BECOME SO STIFF THAT IT CAUSES THE KNOB TO SNAP OFF RENDERING THE SYSTEM USELESS. SAAB IS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND REQUIRES THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THAT IN THEIR TERMS "MAY" SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT TIME. THESE INCLUDE REPLACING THE KNOB ($10.00), THE SHAFT ($200.00), AND THE VENTILATION CONTROL BOX ($600.00). IT APPEARS THAT SAAB CONSIDERS THE EN…

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ODI 10070043 · 60,000 mi

HEATER BOX FROZE UP UPONE TURNING THE CONTROL DIAL TO DEFROST WINDSHIELD...INTERNET DISCUSSION BOARDS SAY SAAB KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM. VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR TO FIX PROPERLY AND PERMANENTLY...PROBABLY TAKING THIS TO SMALL CLAIMS BASED UPON WHAT I'VE READ...

Look up ODI 10070043 at NHTSA ↗

Fuel/Propulsion System75,500–109,925 mi92,500 mi42
ODI 10903028 · 114,000 mi

WHEN I CHANGED THE BATTERY OF THE CAR KEY, ITS DOORS AND TRUNK STOPPED LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE BELT OF THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN ALSO. I REPLACED ALSO THE FUEL TANK.

Look up ODI 10903028 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11180926 · 119,800 mi

EXCESSIVE LEAKING. WAS DRIVING ON E-WAY AND ENGINE STOPPED OR SOMETHING OCCURED WHERE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE BATTERY WAS WORKING BUT, WHEN I PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR IT DIDN'T PROPEL FORWARD. I CAREFULLY STEERED WITH HAZARD LIGHTS TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. IGNITION CRANKS BUT, CAR WON'T TURN OVER. REPLACED DIRECT IGNITION COIL, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BUT, ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS: RECALL 06V126000 AFFECTED CARS SAAB 9-3 2001 ENGINE, MAY 12, 2006 ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MANUFACTURE…

Look up ODI 11180926 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10767290 · 65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE IN PARK, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAB ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAI…

Look up ODI 10767290 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-111None
ODI 11627255 · 150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Look up ODI 11627255 at NHTSA ↗

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-081None
ODI 11678840 · 160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact also noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Look up ODI 11678840 at NHTSA ↗

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-121None
ODI 11703471

Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks

Look up ODI 11703471 at NHTSA ↗

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-061None
ODI 11746834

I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn’t have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It’s a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can’t even begin to tell you over the years how much time…

Look up ODI 11746834 at NHTSA ↗

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 23 reports

2010: 3 complaints · 2011: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2010033
2011111
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
20103000
20113000

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
ComponentAir BagsSeat BeltsElectrical SystemEngineSuspension:FrontSuspensionEngine And Engine CoolingFuel/Propulsion System
Air Bags—
12
ODI 10660042 · 114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

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ODI 10470315 · 99,999 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN I HEARD BOOM AND SEEN SMOKE AND I REALISE THE SIDE AIRBAG OPEN. I DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING . THE DRIVER SEATBELT WENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IT BEGAN JAM MEACHICAN SAIDED THAT PULLEY JAM. *TR

Look up ODI 10470315 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10032705 · 5,200 mi

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 30-35MPH FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. SEATBELT RESTRAINT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

Look up ODI 10032705 at NHTSA ↗

5
ODI 10260486 · 138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE WIRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHI…

Look up ODI 10260486 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11051848

TAKATA RECALL, AFTER GETTING A NOTICE I LOOKED ONLINE CALLED EVERY SINGLE DEALER IN MY AREA THEY ALL SAID THEY DON'T WORK ON SAABI HOPE EVERYTHING IS GM FINALLY I FOUND ONE MOST OF THEM SAID SUB WENT BANKRUPT SO IN A FEW YEARS THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED FADED OUT AND YOU SHOULD GET RID OF IT THEY SAID NO ONE WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THERE'S NO OLDER THIS IS THE OF THE DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 100 MILE RADIUS DEALERSHIP GMC'S SOMEHOW I GOT CONNECTED TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN SOB AND THEY SAID THEY SAID THEY COULD DO IT THERE ABOUT ONE MONTH OUT A…

Look up ODI 11051848 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11180544 · 130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I TOOK MY 06 SAAB 93 AERO INTO BELLEVUE WASHINGTON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO GET MY AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AFTER I HOT THE RECALLED AIRBAG REPLACED THEY RESET MY ECM AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND DRAINS MY BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT! I HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR BY REPLACING THE RECALLED AIRBAG WITH ANOTHER BAD AIRBAG! THEY LISTED IN THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THEY FIXED MY CAR AND NEVER DID SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER BAD FAULTY AIRBAG AND NOW A BATTE…

Look up ODI 11180544 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 11320371

NO INCIDENT

Look up ODI 11320371 at NHTSA ↗

0
2
ODI 10893219 · 79,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL? MY CAR KEEPS GIVING ME THE FOLLOWING ALERT: AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. HOW CAN I VERIFY IT IS PART OF THE RECALL?

Look up ODI 10893219 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10548321 · 110,000 mi

VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY AT 35MPH AND STRUCK A TREE. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, DRIVER SUFFERED FACIAL AND TEETH DAMAGE. *TR

Look up ODI 10548321 at NHTSA ↗

0
2
ODI 10993057 · 110,000 mi

I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN ELK GROVE, GMC AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THEY STATE THEY DO NOT SERVICE SAAB VEHICLES. I TOLD THEM THAT GMC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND THEY STATED THERE IS ONLY ONE LOCATION THAT WE COULD TAKE IT TO IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BY FRESNO IF I WANT TO GET IT FIXED. WHICH IT WILL BE AN UNDUE HARDSHIP. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT OUR CAR WAS SPILLING GAS DUE TO AN ORIGINAL FAULTY UNIT. THEY STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT HOWEVER, IT SOMEHOW DOESN'T SHOW ON MY VIN. SEVERAL TIMES WE RAN OUT OF GAS AND OUR KIDS GOT GASOLI…

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ODI 11180544 · 130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I TOOK MY 06 SAAB 93 AERO INTO BELLEVUE WASHINGTON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO GET MY AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AFTER I HOT THE RECALLED AIRBAG REPLACED THEY RESET MY ECM AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND DRAINS MY BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT! I HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR BY REPLACING THE RECALLED AIRBAG WITH ANOTHER BAD AIRBAG! THEY LISTED IN THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THEY FIXED MY CAR AND NEVER DID SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER BAD FAULTY AIRBAG AND NOW A BATTE…

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Seat Belts
12
ODI 10660042 · 114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS ON THE LEFT ARM, BUT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.

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ODI 10470315 · 99,999 mi

I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN I HEARD BOOM AND SEEN SMOKE AND I REALISE THE SIDE AIRBAG OPEN. I DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING . THE DRIVER SEATBELT WENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IT BEGAN JAM MEACHICAN SAIDED THAT PULLEY JAM. *TR

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ODI 10032705 · 5,200 mi

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A 30-35MPH FRONTAL COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. SEATBELT RESTRAINT INJURED BOTH PASSENGERS, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

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—
4
ODI 10107432 · 15,000 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RECOIL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE PASSENGERS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER PRESSURE WHEN APPLIED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT "SPIN OVER," T…

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ODI 10125939 · 32,000 mi

MY SAAB HAS HAD A LITANY OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH LITTLE ITEMS. IGNITION WOULDN'T START THE CAR. HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT. DASH PEELING, DOOR HANDLES DISCOLORING, EMERGENCY BRAKE GETTING STUCK AND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MY CAR. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON CORRECT. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEEL LOCK LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RETRO FIT. SEAT BELTS BEING RECALLED. COMPUTER CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SO THE CAR WOUL…

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ODI 10511970 · 90,000 mi

TWO ITEMS: 1. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH WHEN PULLED FORWARD AND WOULD UNRAVEL AND NOT RETURN. THE SEATBELT FAILS TO STOP THE PASSENGER SHOULD THERE BE A SUDDEN STOP. 2. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR

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000
1
ODI 10107432 · 15,000 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RECOIL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE PASSENGERS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER PRESSURE WHEN APPLIED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT "SPIN OVER," T…

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0
Electrical System
5
ODI 10260486 · 138,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. LATER THAT DAY, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. HER MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ENSURE MAXIMUM PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE WIRING WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VEHI…

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ODI 11051848

TAKATA RECALL, AFTER GETTING A NOTICE I LOOKED ONLINE CALLED EVERY SINGLE DEALER IN MY AREA THEY ALL SAID THEY DON'T WORK ON SAABI HOPE EVERYTHING IS GM FINALLY I FOUND ONE MOST OF THEM SAID SUB WENT BANKRUPT SO IN A FEW YEARS THE CAR SHOULD BE FIXED FADED OUT AND YOU SHOULD GET RID OF IT THEY SAID NO ONE WILL FIX IT BECAUSE THERE'S NO OLDER THIS IS THE OF THE DEALERSHIPS WITHIN 100 MILE RADIUS DEALERSHIP GMC'S SOMEHOW I GOT CONNECTED TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN SOB AND THEY SAID THEY SAID THEY COULD DO IT THERE ABOUT ONE MONTH OUT A…

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ODI 11180544 · 130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I TOOK MY 06 SAAB 93 AERO INTO BELLEVUE WASHINGTON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO GET MY AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AFTER I HOT THE RECALLED AIRBAG REPLACED THEY RESET MY ECM AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND DRAINS MY BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT! I HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR BY REPLACING THE RECALLED AIRBAG WITH ANOTHER BAD AIRBAG! THEY LISTED IN THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THEY FIXED MY CAR AND NEVER DID SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER BAD FAULTY AIRBAG AND NOW A BATTE…

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4
ODI 10107432 · 15,000 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RECOIL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE PASSENGERS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER PRESSURE WHEN APPLIED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT "SPIN OVER," T…

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ODI 10125939 · 32,000 mi

MY SAAB HAS HAD A LITANY OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH LITTLE ITEMS. IGNITION WOULDN'T START THE CAR. HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT. DASH PEELING, DOOR HANDLES DISCOLORING, EMERGENCY BRAKE GETTING STUCK AND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MY CAR. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON CORRECT. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEEL LOCK LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RETRO FIT. SEAT BELTS BEING RECALLED. COMPUTER CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SO THE CAR WOUL…

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ODI 10511970 · 90,000 mi

TWO ITEMS: 1. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH WHEN PULLED FORWARD AND WOULD UNRAVEL AND NOT RETURN. THE SEATBELT FAILS TO STOP THE PASSENGER SHOULD THERE BE A SUDDEN STOP. 2. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR

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—
7
ODI 10535307 · 107,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VERY SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF PERFORMANCE). ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO RESET PROBLEM IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE CONDITION WILL GO AWAY FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES OR UP TO AS MUCH AS 2 HOURS OF DRIVI…

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ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10894074 · 1,855 mi

WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR ENGINE STALLS. NO WARNING AT ALL!! ONCE IT STOPS, IGNITION KEY WON'T WORK. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART THE CAR IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS IS ALL DONE IN THE EMERGENCY SHOULDERS, BREAKDOWN LANES, ITS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS. LUCKILY EACH TIME THERE WAS A PLACE TO PULL OVER. WE COULD GET KILLED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES . SOMETIMES IT STALLS 2-3 TIMES A DAY. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AND HOW CAN I SELL IT KNOWING THAT SOMETHING BAD COULD …

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0
1
ODI 10155628 · 3,900 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS LOCKS AND THE TRUNK RELEASE AS WELL. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND TRUNK CAME OPEN ON ONE OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB

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9
ODI 10096715 · 26,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB

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ODI 10246362 · 77,715 mi

2000 9-3 HAD THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL DONE A FEW YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE MOTOR STOPPED. LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC BECAUSE IT WAS PLUGGED. THEY SAID IT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR

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ODI 10186418 · 90,714 mi

CAR TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE BECAUSE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON INTERMITTENTLY; TOLD THERE WERE "NO PROBLEMS" AND INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CLEAR MESSAGE. "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "OIL" LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY; TAKEN TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR CHECK; BOTH STATED THERE WAS OIL IN THE PAN, OIL IN THE ENGINE, NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. "CHECK ENGINE" AND "OIL" LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON; CAR BEGAN MAKING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND HAD TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED BEARINGS WERE SHOT AND NEW ENGINE NEEDED. SAAB USA HAS PERSISTED IN DEN…

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6
ODI 10838086 · 71,000 mi

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

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ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10501474 · 66,486 mi

VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR

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Engine
1
ODI 11320371

NO INCIDENT

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0
7
ODI 10535307 · 107,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VERY SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF PERFORMANCE). ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO RESET PROBLEM IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE CONDITION WILL GO AWAY FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES OR UP TO AS MUCH AS 2 HOURS OF DRIVI…

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ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10894074 · 1,855 mi

WHILE DRIVING, WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR ENGINE STALLS. NO WARNING AT ALL!! ONCE IT STOPS, IGNITION KEY WON'T WORK. THE ONLY WAY TO RESTART THE CAR IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THIS IS ALL DONE IN THE EMERGENCY SHOULDERS, BREAKDOWN LANES, ITS ALSO HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY EXIT RAMPS. LUCKILY EACH TIME THERE WAS A PLACE TO PULL OVER. WE COULD GET KILLED. IT HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES . SOMETIMES IT STALLS 2-3 TIMES A DAY. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AND HOW CAN I SELL IT KNOWING THAT SOMETHING BAD COULD …

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—0
2
ODI 11057318

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES FAILED PREMATURELY. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED ROUGHLY EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS THAT CONNECTED TO THE FRONT STRUTS HAD PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COILS SPRINGS AND EIGHT VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY A DEALER (CONNTECH SAAB SPECIALISTS, 180 JEFFERSON BLVD, WARWICK, R…

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ODI 11080319 · 134,000 mi

FIRST ISSUE WAS FRONT SUSPENSION COILS. REPLACED BOTH. BIGGEST ISSUE WAS ONCE THE WEATHER BECAME VERY COLD, CAR WOULD NOT START. ENDED UP BEING A VICTIM OF THE BAD INTAKE VALVES PROVIDED BY GM. NOW, AFTER A COMPLETE VALVE JOB AND HAVING THE CAR RUN GREAT FROM MARCH 2017 TO DEC 2017..IT APPEARS IT MAY HAVE A CRACKED BLOCK. CAR NEVER OVERHEATED. FLUIDS WERE ALWAYS MAINTAINED. LOOKED INTO THAT AND APPARENTLY THERE WERE SOME CASTING ISSUES AS WELL. THANKS GM.

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0
12
ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10496656 · 78,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP/OTHER MECHANIC RESETS THE CODES AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS A EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART COSTS $425. NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE FOUND THIS PART FOR UNDER $45. THIS IS CRAP!!! I HAVE EVEN FOUND TUTORIALS ON HOW TO DO IT, 1 HOUR JOB. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO. NOW THEY FIND THE PROBLEM? A LITTLE SUSPIC…

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ODI 11173160 · 160,000 mi

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN DRIVE THERE IS INTERNAL FUEL ISSUE CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE

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Suspension:Front0000—
3
ODI 10296720 · 49,875 mi

DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING "BROKE" WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 ON THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 50 MPH. CAUSED SIGNIFICANT STRUT DAMAGE AND RATTLING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS I WAS WORKING TO SCHEDULE IN A MECHANIC VISIT. THEY FINALLY QUOTED ME $930 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. APPARENTLY, A LOT OF OTHER SAABS OF THE SAME MODEL HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ARISE FOR THEM, I THINK THE SPRINGS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

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ODI 10319389 · 55,600 mi

IN FEB 2010 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SAAB SAYING THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS OF MY CAR COULD FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. THEY SAID COULD CAUSE THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE BY AN INCH OR TWO. WHAT THEY NEGLECTED TO SAY WAS THAT THE BROKEN SPRING CAN HIT THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO FAIL, WHICH IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND MAY OTHER SAAB OWNERS. THEIR LETTER SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS SINCE TIRE FAILURE CAUSED MY CAR TO BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHICH HAD NO SHOULDER AND I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. *TR

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ODI 10291543 · 70,000 mi

NORMAL DRIVING. BOTTOM SIX INCHES OF FRONT RIGHT STRUT COIL SPRING JUST BROKE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A COIL SPRING JUST BREAK BEFORE. THIS PART IS STILL ON THE CAR AND I HAVE THE BROKEN SIX INCH SEMI-CIRCULAR PIECE. IT TOOK ALMOST THREE MONTHS BEFORE I DISCOVERED WHERE A CLICKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM IN THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. *TR

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00
Suspension
2
ODI 10893219 · 79,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL? MY CAR KEEPS GIVING ME THE FOLLOWING ALERT: AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. HOW CAN I VERIFY IT IS PART OF THE RECALL?

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ODI 10548321 · 110,000 mi

VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY AT 35MPH AND STRUCK A TREE. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, DRIVER SUFFERED FACIAL AND TEETH DAMAGE. *TR

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0
1
ODI 10155628 · 3,900 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE OUT OF ALIGNMENT STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH, IT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE SYSTEM WAS CLEARED. THE DEALER WAS VAGUE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND STATED IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE IT INSPECTED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC DOORS LOCKS AND THE TRUNK RELEASE AS WELL. THE DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK AT WILL AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND TRUNK CAME OPEN ON ONE OCCASION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. *AK UPDATED 08/14/06. *JB

Look up ODI 10155628 at NHTSA ↗

2
ODI 11057318

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES FAILED PREMATURELY. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED ROUGHLY EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS THAT CONNECTED TO THE FRONT STRUTS HAD PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COILS SPRINGS AND EIGHT VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY A DEALER (CONNTECH SAAB SPECIALISTS, 180 JEFFERSON BLVD, WARWICK, R…

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ODI 11080319 · 134,000 mi

FIRST ISSUE WAS FRONT SUSPENSION COILS. REPLACED BOTH. BIGGEST ISSUE WAS ONCE THE WEATHER BECAME VERY COLD, CAR WOULD NOT START. ENDED UP BEING A VICTIM OF THE BAD INTAKE VALVES PROVIDED BY GM. NOW, AFTER A COMPLETE VALVE JOB AND HAVING THE CAR RUN GREAT FROM MARCH 2017 TO DEC 2017..IT APPEARS IT MAY HAVE A CRACKED BLOCK. CAR NEVER OVERHEATED. FLUIDS WERE ALWAYS MAINTAINED. LOOKED INTO THAT AND APPARENTLY THERE WERE SOME CASTING ISSUES AS WELL. THANKS GM.

Look up ODI 11080319 at NHTSA ↗

3
ODI 10296720 · 49,875 mi

DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING "BROKE" WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 ON THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 50 MPH. CAUSED SIGNIFICANT STRUT DAMAGE AND RATTLING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS I WAS WORKING TO SCHEDULE IN A MECHANIC VISIT. THEY FINALLY QUOTED ME $930 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. APPARENTLY, A LOT OF OTHER SAABS OF THE SAME MODEL HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ARISE FOR THEM, I THINK THE SPRINGS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Look up ODI 10296720 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10319389 · 55,600 mi

IN FEB 2010 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SAAB SAYING THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS OF MY CAR COULD FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. THEY SAID COULD CAUSE THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE BY AN INCH OR TWO. WHAT THEY NEGLECTED TO SAY WAS THAT THE BROKEN SPRING CAN HIT THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO FAIL, WHICH IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND MAY OTHER SAAB OWNERS. THEIR LETTER SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS SINCE TIRE FAILURE CAUSED MY CAR TO BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHICH HAD NO SHOULDER AND I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. *TR

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ODI 10291543 · 70,000 mi

NORMAL DRIVING. BOTTOM SIX INCHES OF FRONT RIGHT STRUT COIL SPRING JUST BROKE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A COIL SPRING JUST BREAK BEFORE. THIS PART IS STILL ON THE CAR AND I HAVE THE BROKEN SIX INCH SEMI-CIRCULAR PIECE. IT TOOK ALMOST THREE MONTHS BEFORE I DISCOVERED WHERE A CLICKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM IN THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. *TR

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—00
Engine And Engine Cooling0
1
ODI 10107432 · 15,000 mi

THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RECOIL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE PASSENGERS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER PRESSURE WHEN APPLIED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT "SPIN OVER," T…

Look up ODI 10107432 at NHTSA ↗

9
ODI 10096715 · 26,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *JB

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ODI 10246362 · 77,715 mi

2000 9-3 HAD THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL DONE A FEW YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE MOTOR STOPPED. LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC BECAUSE IT WAS PLUGGED. THEY SAID IT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR

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ODI 10186418 · 90,714 mi

CAR TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE BECAUSE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON INTERMITTENTLY; TOLD THERE WERE "NO PROBLEMS" AND INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CLEAR MESSAGE. "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "OIL" LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY; TAKEN TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR CHECK; BOTH STATED THERE WAS OIL IN THE PAN, OIL IN THE ENGINE, NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. "CHECK ENGINE" AND "OIL" LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON; CAR BEGAN MAKING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND HAD TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED BEARINGS WERE SHOT AND NEW ENGINE NEEDED. SAAB USA HAS PERSISTED IN DEN…

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000—0
Fuel/Propulsion System
2
ODI 10993057 · 110,000 mi

I CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN ELK GROVE, GMC AND ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THEY STATE THEY DO NOT SERVICE SAAB VEHICLES. I TOLD THEM THAT GMC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND THEY STATED THERE IS ONLY ONE LOCATION THAT WE COULD TAKE IT TO IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BY FRESNO IF I WANT TO GET IT FIXED. WHICH IT WILL BE AN UNDUE HARDSHIP. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT OUR CAR WAS SPILLING GAS DUE TO AN ORIGINAL FAULTY UNIT. THEY STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT HOWEVER, IT SOMEHOW DOESN'T SHOW ON MY VIN. SEVERAL TIMES WE RAN OUT OF GAS AND OUR KIDS GOT GASOLI…

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ODI 11180544 · 130,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL, I TOOK MY 06 SAAB 93 AERO INTO BELLEVUE WASHINGTON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO GET MY AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AFTER I HOT THE RECALLED AIRBAG REPLACED THEY RESET MY ECM AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND DRAINS MY BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT! I HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR BY REPLACING THE RECALLED AIRBAG WITH ANOTHER BAD AIRBAG! THEY LISTED IN THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THEY FIXED MY CAR AND NEVER DID SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER BAD FAULTY AIRBAG AND NOW A BATTE…

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0
6
ODI 10838086 · 71,000 mi

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

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ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10501474 · 66,486 mi

VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR

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12
ODI 10629628 · 109,560 mi

AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR

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ODI 10496656 · 78,000 mi

I HAVE A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP/OTHER MECHANIC RESETS THE CODES AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS A EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART COSTS $425. NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE FOUND THIS PART FOR UNDER $45. THIS IS CRAP!!! I HAVE EVEN FOUND TUTORIALS ON HOW TO DO IT, 1 HOUR JOB. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO. NOW THEY FIND THE PROBLEM? A LITTLE SUSPIC…

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ODI 11173160 · 160,000 mi

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN DRIVE THERE IS INTERNAL FUEL ISSUE CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE

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000—

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.

8 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

129 mentions · 9.6% of complaints

Median mileage: 60,017 mi (111 usable records).

ODI 10057508

WHILE DRIVING AT UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, BUT DEALER DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

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ODI 10040562 · 8,600 mi

THE CONSUMER HAD JUST FILLED THE GAS TANK WITH FUEL AND WAS DRIVING AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED FOR NO REASON. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NLM

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ODI 10094307

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE, AND THE COMPUTER RECORDED A CODE REFERRING TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. *AK

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

68 mentions · 5.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 72,000 mi (66 usable records).

ODI 10132048 · 79,660 mi

IN THE COUPLE OF MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT, MY VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE TIMES, STAYED ON FOR A DAY OR TWO, AND THEN SHUT OFF. EACH TIME THE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST IT BLINKS, THEN REMAINS STEADY UNTIL TURNING ITSELF OFF) I EXPERIENCED WHAT I THOUGHT WAS SOME KIND OF IGNITION FAILURE. ON THE MORNING OF THE INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING IN THE PASSING LANE HEADING NORTH/EAST ON ROUTE 365 FROM VERONA TO ROME, NY WHEN I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE IGNITION FAILURE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (FIRST BLINKING, THEN STEADY) AND I …

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ODI 10168364 · 100,788 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH ON A SNOW COVERED HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE RECOGNITION CASSETTE MODULE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 11/3/2006 - ON 11/24/05 THE VEHICLE'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE DIRECT IGNITION…

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ODI 10168417 · 68,618 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF A PROBEM UNTIL A SINGLE "CLUNKING NOISE" WAS DETECTED AND THEN THERE WAS NO POWER IN 5TH OR 4TH GEAR. BY THE TIME I DOWNSHIFTED TO 3RD GEAR, THE ENGINE HAD STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY/ALTERNATOR, AND OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS LIT. THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESARTED. I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO THE DISTRESS LANE AND SUMMON HELP (911). THE CAR NEEDED TO BE TOWED FOR REPAIR…

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

Brake response concerns

33 mentions · 2.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 29,413 mi (32 usable records).

ODI 10233628 · 60,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED WITH MORE PRESSURE THAN NORMAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

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ODI 10551077 · 100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WITH OUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

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ODI 10000555 · 8,700 mi

WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE: WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN TERRIBLE IN MY 2002 SAAB 93. THERE IS LITERALLY NO BRAKING RESPONSE FOR THE FIRST 2-3 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TOTHE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY WATER BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKE DISCS THAT IS CAUSING THE DELAYED BRAKE RESPONSE. CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

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Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Steering assistance concerns

31 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 57,750 mi (26 usable records).

ODI 10131562 · 63,000 mi

WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-70, THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE ENGINE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE SAAB PARTS DEALER, BOUGHT ANOTHER FOR AROUND $375, AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. ONCE THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. *NM

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ODI 10136658 · 50,000 mi

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (AKA DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, IDM, DI, DIC) HAS DIED ON MY 1999 9-3 2 TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT NOW HAS 66,000 MILES. WHEN THE DI CASSETTE DIES THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN WHICH CAN RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY DI CASSETTE FIRST DIED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START, NO PRIOR WARNINGS. A BRAND NEW DI CASSETTE FROM SAAB WAS PUT IN. THE 2ND DI CASSETTE DIED AT 63,000 MILES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT D…

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ODI 10051570 · 22,500 mi

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAR LOST ENGINE POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAPPENED IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC CIRCLE, CAUSING NEAR MISSES FROM BUSES AND TRUCKS. SAAB ROADSIDE SERVICE TOOK NEARLY 5 HOURS TO SEND A TOW TRUCK. CAR PUSHED TO SIDEWALK BY PASSING POLICEMAN. JSW. *AK

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

24 mentions · 1.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 75,000 mi (23 usable records).

ODI 10136658 · 50,000 mi

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (AKA DIRECT IGNITION MODULE, IDM, DI, DIC) HAS DIED ON MY 1999 9-3 2 TIMES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW, IT NOW HAS 66,000 MILES. WHEN THE DI CASSETTE DIES THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY SHUTS DOWN WHICH CAN RESULT IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF ONE IS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MY DI CASSETTE FIRST DIED AT 50,000 MILES. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT START, NO PRIOR WARNINGS. A BRAND NEW DI CASSETTE FROM SAAB WAS PUT IN. THE 2ND DI CASSETTE DIED AT 63,000 MILES, WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING AGAIN. THE CAR SHUT D…

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ODI 10142266 · 123,000 mi

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE STALLED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT. HE TRIED TO RESTART IT TEN MINUTES LATER BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR LATER MODEL VEHICLES AND THE PART WAS THE SAME UNIT THAT WAS IN THIS VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB UPDATED 11/29/2005. *NM

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ODI 10150890 · 72,550 mi

DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE (IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE) FAILED. ENGINE WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. CAR WAS TOWED, EVALUATED, AND THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE THAT FAILED WAS IDENTICAL TO THE IDM THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER RECALL FOR 2000-2002 MODEL YEARS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 1999 MODEL YEAR. I HAVE RETAINED THE FAILED PART. *NM

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Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b

Fuel smell or leak mentions

17 mentions · 1.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 66,441 mi (16 usable records).

ODI 10089579

CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL WHILE DRIVING. STOPPED THE VEHICLE, EXAMINED FUEL RAIL, AND NOTICED ONE OF THE CLIPS BROKE. AS RESULT, VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GAS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

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ODI 10385730 · 125,200 mi

GAS STARTED LEAKING AT A STEADY STREAM FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. FROM THE DEALER REPAIR STATEMENT: "CUSTOMER STATES CHECK RAW GAS LEAKING FROM ABOVE THE FUEL TANK, ONLY WITH CAR RUNNING. FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP BROKEN. REPLACED FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP." MY CONCERN: THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM (FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP FAILURE AND LEAKING GAS) WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR 2001 AND NEWER SAAB 9-3S. SAAB SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2000 MODELS AS WELL SINCE THEY HAVE THE SAME DESIGN (ACCORDING TO THE…

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ODI 10099280 · 289,981 mi

VEHICLE LOST POWER. FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT. *AK

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

Hard or delayed shifting

12 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 38,000 mi (9 usable records).

ODI 10018437 · 62,000 mi

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IF TRAFFIC COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKING IS HORRIBLE. THE CAR DOES NOT GRIP THE ROAD IT SLIDES. WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, CAR HESITATES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN JERKS INTO ACTION. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR IS LITERALLY FALLING APART PIECE BY PIECE. *NLM

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ODI 729460

THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. A CHILD, KNEELING IN THE PASENGER SEAT (NO ONE ELSE WAS INVEHICLE) TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON, THE CAR STARTED IN REVERSE AND JERK BACKWORDS TROWING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, HITTING HIM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR, HITTING THE GARAGE IN WHICH IT WAS HOUSED, AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO ACROSS THE YARD HITTING A TREE AND ENDING UP IN THE BRUSH. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL FRONT AND REAR SEATS. WE HAVE BEEN INF…

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ODI 10052694 · 5,500 mi

LEASED 2003 SAAB 9-3 ARC ON 9/26 AND THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT (10051379) AND I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM SAAB CUSTOMER CARE REGARDING THEIR FIXING THE LOUD RIGHT REAR RATTLING/KNOCKING NOISE. I HAVE CALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO CALL BACK. I NOW HAVE TWO MORE PROBLEMS... THE CAR HESITATES, SPUTTERS AND ALMOST STALLS... THE DEALER INCREASED THE IDLE AND THAT WAS THE FIX... I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WHEN STARTING OFF FROM A STOP OR DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN GEARS BETWEEN 10 AND 30 MPHS... IT ST…

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Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

2 mentions · 0.1% of complaints

Median mileage: 96,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10356233 · 75,000 mi

AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES, DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AROUND 70MPH, OIL LIGHT BEGINS FLICKERING. AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO 60 THE LIGHT STOPPED FLICKERING AND INSTEAD STAYED ON. FROM THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OFF THE ROAD A KNOCKING SOUND COULD BE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE PROGRESSIVELY GETTING LOUDER. THE CAR WAS THEN TAKEN HOME AND INSPECTED. REMOVING THE OIL PAN REVEALED THAT THE OIL PICK-UP TUBE WAS CLOGGED AND THE PAN WAS CAKED WITH BURNT OIL. A LOCAL MECHANIC ESTIMATED $3,000 TO REPAIR THE INTERNAL DAMAGE. CALLED SAAB, THE…

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ODI 10786664 · 117,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS A ODOR OF BURNING OIL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

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Matching rule\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b