U.S. public vehicle records

2007 Saab 9-3: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

155 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

64,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 81 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 155 complaints (41.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	19	12.3%
Electrical and battery issues	10	6.5%
Engine operation	8	5.2%
Steering behavior	8	5.2%
Fuel system concerns	3	1.9%
Transmission and shifting	2	1.3%

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

Suspension

Engine

Electrical System

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Seat Belts

Seats

Engine And Engine Cooling

Air Bags: 64; Suspension: 19; Engine: 18; Electrical System: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Seat Belts: 6; Seats: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 20; 50,000 to 74,999: 23; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 15; 150,000 and above: 1

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (23). 74 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.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 10; 2010: 7; 2011: 7; 2012: 7; 2013: 5; 2014: 18; 2015: 12; 2016: 49; 2017: 26; 2018: 3; 2019: 3

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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.

Examples from the source records

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

Owner report 10189260 · 2007-04-30 (April 30, 2007)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAS GROOVES THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO ANCHOR DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR. HOWEVER, THE GROOVES WILL NOT LATCH AND CAUSES THE FLOOR MAT TO GET STUCK UNDERNEATH BOTH PEDALS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 2,650, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10189260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10198567 · 2007-08-05 (August 5, 2007)

THE BRAKES ON MY 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT COMBI FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE ONLY TO HAVE NO BRAKE PRESSURE AT ALL. WITH THE PEDAL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AND I WAS FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE ISSUE WAS A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE AND REPAIRED THAT PART. I DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THE FIRST STOP LIGHT AFTER LEAV…

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10198567 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10201180 · 2007-08-29 (August 29, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB AERO. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE ON A HILL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,395 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10395.

Owner-reported narrative. 10,395 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201180 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10213652 · 2008-01-03 (January 3, 2008)

2 BLOWOUT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF CAR W/I 3 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. TIRE DAMAGE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME BOTH TIMES. INSIDE ABOUT 1 INCH ABOVE THE RIM THERE WAS ABOUT A 2 INCH GASH. RIM WAS DAMAGED EACH TIME.*CN

Owner-reported narrative. 7,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213652 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10213837 · 2008-01-06 (January 6, 2008)

2007, 2.0T SAAB 93 ENGINE STALLING START ENGINE, HOT OR COLD, PLACE GEAR SELECTOR IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE ENGINE WILL STALL OUT, BUT WILL IMMEDIATELY RE-START. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER TWICE FOR RE-PROGRAMMING OF ECM, BUT ENGINE STILL STALLS. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10213837 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10231264 · 2008-06-17 (June 17, 2008)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231264 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10231431 · 2008-06-18 (June 18, 2008)

I HAVE A SAAB 93 AERO AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10231431 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10245148 · 2008-10-11 (October 11, 2008)

2007 SAAB 9-3 4 DOOR DOES NOT ALLOW AN INFANT CAR SEAT TO BE INSTALLED. THE BACKSEAT IS TOO SHORT TO ALLOW THE INFANT CAR SEAT TO BE INSTALLED . I HAVE CONTACTED BABY SEAT COMPANIES AND THE ARE ALL THE SIMILAR LENGTH, MY CONCERN IS HOW CAN A NEW FAMILY CAR KNOWN FOR SAFETY BE ALLOWED ON THE ROAD AND A 4 DOOR NOT ALLOW ME TO BRING MY INFANT CHILD BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL? WHY HAVE LATCHES AND ALL THE OTHER SAFETY FEATURES IF ONE CAN NOT FIT A INFANT CAR SEAT REAR FACING? IF ONE SPENDS OVER 30,000 FOR A NEW VEHICLE I EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO BRING…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10245148 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

14V318000 · Seat Belts:Front:Retractor

Reported: 2014-06-12 (June 12, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.

Consequence: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

16V063000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

155 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

52.3%Usable mileage81 / 155 records

100.0%Valid incident date155 / 155 records

100.0%Valid filing date155 / 155 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates155 / 155 records

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

Problems by model year

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

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
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 09/11/14LJ 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 05/10/16LJ 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… Look up ODI 10002905 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10051943 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10277396 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10535307 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10759779 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10479339 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10458478 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10563904 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10495004 at NHTSA ↗	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. Look up ODI 11151821 at NHTSA ↗
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… Look up ODI 10225662 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10233096 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10230949 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10300341 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10113551 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10296720 at NHTSA ↗	1414.7% ODI 10284047 · 43,920 mi FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURE. *TR Look up ODI 10284047 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10267592 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10455085 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10040562 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10053174 at NHTSA ↗	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. Look up ODI 10152762 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10070014 at NHTSA ↗	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. Look up ODI 10016784 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10115268 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10168626 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10221580 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10231264 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10341608 at NHTSA ↗	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. Look up ODI 10903028 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10767290 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10629628 at NHTSA ↗	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 Look up ODI 10515849 at NHTSA ↗	55.3% ODI 10501474 · 66,486 mi VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR Look up ODI 10501474 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10496656 at NHTSA ↗	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… Look up ODI 10511947 at NHTSA ↗	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). … Look up ODI 10723963 at NHTSA ↗	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
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Air Bags	50,000–112,000 mi	70,000 mi	9	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 ↗ ODI 10632167 · 75,000 mi 2007 SAAB HAS ISSUE WITH DRIVER STEERING LOCK AND DRIVER AIR BAG FAILURE. WHEN I DRIVER ON HIGHWAY I GET NOTICE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. I HAVE NOT HAVE THE WHEEL LOCK YET WHILE I AM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BUT I DID COMPLETE STOP SEVERAL TIME WHEN NOTICE ON DASH BOARD LIGHT UP WHERE THE STEERING LOCKS UP AFTER I STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR. I BROUGHT IN THE CAR TO GM DEALER AND ERROR ON SYSTEM COMPUTER AND THEY SAID NO ISSUE. FOR A 2008 AUTOMOTIVE LESS THAN 100,000 MILES TO HAVE AIR BAG FAILURE IS VERY ODD. DEALERS WANT TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG WHICH C… Look up ODI 10632167 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10863301 · 50,000 mi TAKATA RECALL. I RECEIVED NOTICE THAT MY 2007 SAAB 93 IS SUBJECT TO THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL SEVERAL WEEKS AGO BUT WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT IN THE MEANTIME. IS THE CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE? WOULD IT BE BETTER TO DE-ACTIVATE THE AIR BAG? I HAVE READ THAT HEAT AND MOISTURE CAN CAUSE THE PROBLEM. IS IT THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO? IS ONE MORE OF A FACTOR THAN THE OTHER? I ALSO OWN A HONDA CRV THAT IS SUBJECT TO THE RECALL AND HONDA NORTH AMERICA IS PROVIDING A REN… Look up ODI 10863301 at NHTSA ↗
Suspension	57,250–98,675 mi	72,250 mi	16	ODI 10452398 · 49,408 mi WHILE DRIVING MY SAAB 9-3 2007 I STARTED HEARING SOME RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. WHEN I REACHED MY GARAGE I WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE FRONT WHEEL AND NOTICED ABOUT 6 INCHES OF THE BOTTOM SPRING COIL WAS BROKEN OFF FROM THE REST OF THE SPRING. I CONTACTED SAAB EXCHANGE DEALER IN LAKE BLUFF, ILLINOIS AND WAS TOLD THE 2007 SAAB DOES NOT HAVE ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE SPRINGS AND THE REPLACEMENT COST WOULD BE ABOUT $1250. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOU… Look up ODI 10452398 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10452896 · 69,000 mi THE SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR Look up ODI 10452896 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10461198 · 98,100 mi FRONT COIL SPRING ON CAR HAS RUSTED THROUGH WHICH IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2003-2006 SAABS, AND GM HAS PROVIDED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, FOR 2007 THEY HAVE NOT. (I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHERE THE SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN.) WHILE I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, WHEN THE SPRING BROKE, IT CAUSED A DRIVABILITY ISSUE. AFTER SEARCHING SAAB FORUMS FOR ANSWERS, IT IS APPARENT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW FOR POSSIBLE ACTION. THIS SEEMS TO ME A JUST A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. AS THE SUSPENSION LOSES 1-2… Look up ODI 10461198 at NHTSA ↗
Engine	62,755–94,750 mi	84,500 mi	15	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 Look up ODI 10479339 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10558603 · 61,510 mi IN COLD WEATHER (SLIGHTLY BELOW FREEZING AT THE TIME) VEHICLE STARTED BUT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY. DROVE DOWN STREET AND WHILE COASTING ENGINE WAS IDLING AND SPUTTERED AND STALLED WITHIN 1 MINUTE OF INITIAL START. LOSS OF BRAKE ASSIST, POWER STEERING, POWER TO ACCELERATE WITH TRAFFIC. PULLED OFF TO SIDE AND RESTARTED ENGINE. AGAIN ROUGH IDLE. APPLIED GAS PEDAL AND HELD RPMS SLIGHTLY ABOVE IDLE TO WARM ENGINE. AFTER ~5 MINUTES, CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY. NO FURTHER ISSUES ONCE ENGINE REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. UPON RESEARCH SAAB/GM (SPNA TEC… Look up ODI 10558603 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10561087 · 90,000 mi BEGAN HAVING ISSUES STARTING, AND MISFIRES, AND FINALLY ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION BUT STILL ABLE TO START WHEN WEATHER WAS WARM. NOV -DEC 2011 NO START OR HARD START IN WEATHER BELOW 35F,LOCAL SERVICE SHOP SAID NEEDED NEW ENGINE, NO COMPRESSION WHEN SAT FOR LONG PERIODS OR EXTERIOR TEMP BELOW 35F APPROX 94,000 MILE. DEC 2011- CALLED SAAB BUT BANKRUPT SO NO CUSTOMER SERVICE, REACHED OUT TO GM CORPORATE REGARDING WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NOT HONORING THEM SINCE BANKRUPTCY. JAN 2012 -2ND OPINION BY INDY SAAB FOCUSED SERVICE CENTER. THOUGHT WRONG OIL W… Look up ODI 10561087 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	29,250–76,927 mi	50,500 mi	10	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… Look up ODI 10277396 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10280664 · 28,000 mi ON COLD ENGINE STARTS (STARTING THE CAR AFTER IT BEING AT REST FOR A FEW HOURS), THE POWER BRAKING DOES NOT WORK FOR THE FIRST 1-3 MINUTES THAT THE CAR IS ON. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY. FIRST NOTICED MONTHS AGO. APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. VEHICLE IS A 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO. TR Look up ODI 10280664 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339477 · 23,200 mi 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L V6 TURBO ENGINE (CONVERTIBLE) - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE - (ODOMETER - 23,200 MILES) UPON STARTING, ENGINE RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, PROCEEDED TO SAAB DEALER FOR SERVICE - NO SERVICE LIGHTS ON DASH - EVENTUALLY LOST POWER BRAKES - ENGINE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES - ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A ONE-MILE DISTANCE. TR Look up ODI 10339477 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	25,095–45,750 mi	27,690 mi	6	ODI 10201180 · 10,395 mi TLTHE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB AERO. THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE ON A HILL. THE CONTACT WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER PLACING THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. NO WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD. THIS WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 10,395 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10395. Look up ODI 10201180 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10260682 · 25,380 mi MY BRAKES FAIL TO WORK AFTER STARTING MY CAR BUT ON FEB 23RD. I WAS ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS ON. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN A BIT BUT ONCE I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON THE 24TH OF FEB. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND MAYBE MY FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE TROUBLE BRAKING. TR Look up ODI 10260682 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10275821 · 51,000 mi 2007-SAAB 9-3 AERO V-6 ENGINE. ON 7-4-09 AND 7-6-09 STARTED CAR AND BACKED OUT OF GARAGE AND HAD NO BRAKES. USED E-BRAKE TO PREVENT CAR FROM GOING INTO STREET. BRAKES SEEMED TO WORK FINE AFTER THAT. HOWEVER, BASED ON PAST COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN ON THIS WEB SITE I FEEL THAT IT IS TIME TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED. *TR Look up ODI 10275821 at NHTSA ↗
Seat Belts	Too few reports for a range	66,496 mi	4 (sparse)	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 ↗ ODI 10761039 · 86,992 mi THIS IS FOR A 2007 SAAB 9-3 SEDAN (NON-CONVERTIBLE). THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT TO RETRACT PROPERLY AND FULLY. THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM CABLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEATBELT RETRACTOR COULD HAVE BROKEN. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT THAT HAS NOT RETRACTED MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE SEAT OCCUPANT, INCREASING THEIR RISK OF INJURY. Look up ODI 10761039 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10817361 · 42,000 mi THE REAR CENTER 3-POINT SEATBELT LOCKS WITHOUT ANY OCCUPANT AND THEN FAILS TO RELEASE. IF I DO NOT UNBOLT THE SEAT BELT FROM THE FLOOR, THE RETRACTOR CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN AND BEGINS TO CRUSH THE SEATBACK CUSHIONING. I HAVE NOT HAD MORE THAN A FEW PASSENGERS USE THE CENTER SEAT, BUT THE BELT RETRACTION MECHANISM SHOULD NOT FAIL AFTER BEING USED LESS THAN A DOZEN TIMES OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. Look up ODI 10817361 at NHTSA ↗
Seats	Too few reports for a range	73,708 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10443931 · 49,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 SAAB 93 AERO. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE WIRING OF MY SEAT WARMER. IT HAD GAVE ME A SLIGHT BURN ON MY LEFT BOTTOM/LEG AREA. GOOD THING I TURNED IT OFF IN TIME BECAUSE I ALSO STARTED SMELLING AS IF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAD BEEN STARTING. IT SMELT OF BURNED LEATHER AND POSSIBLY OTHER COMPONENTS. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THERE WHERE UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR NO COST BUT IN MY OPINION THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF THERE WORRIES. THIS TO ME IS A LIABILITY ISSUE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. … Look up ODI 10443931 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10676325 · 73,708 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH TOWN AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED MY UPPER LEFT THIGH AND I WAS TRYING TO PULL MY LEG OUT OF THE WAY AND ALMOST CRASHED, AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I SAW THAT IT HAD ALSO BURNT THE LEATHER SEAT LEAVING ABOUT A FOUR AND A HALF INCH BURN MARK ON THE SEAT ABOVE THE HEATER COIL. *TR Look up ODI 10676325 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10969056 · 140,500 mi THE DRIVER SEAT HEATER ELEMENT GETS EXTREMELY HOT AND HAS BURNT THROUGH THE LEATHER. THE LAST TIME I USED SEAT HEATER I WAS BURNT ON THE BACK SIDE OF MY LEG AND THERE WAS BLISTERING. Look up ODI 10969056 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	30,950 mi	2 (sparse)	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… Look up ODI 10231264 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10339477 · 23,200 mi 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L V6 TURBO ENGINE (CONVERTIBLE) - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE - (ODOMETER - 23,200 MILES) UPON STARTING, ENGINE RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, PROCEEDED TO SAAB DEALER FOR SERVICE - NO SERVICE LIGHTS ON DASH - EVENTUALLY LOST POWER BRAKES - ENGINE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES - ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A ONE-MILE DISTANCE. *TR Look up ODI 10339477 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

ComponentPeriod

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

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

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

Emerging complaint spikes

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

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

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

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

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 3 complaints · 2011: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	0	3	3
2011	1	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	30	0	0
2011	30	0	0

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

Components reported together

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

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Air Bags	Suspension	Engine	Electrical System	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	Seat Belts	Seats	Engine And Engine Cooling
Air Bags	—	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension	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… Look up ODI 11057318 at NHTSA ↗ 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 ↗	0	0	0	0	0
Engine	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… Look up ODI 11057318 at NHTSA ↗ 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 ↗	—	2 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 Look up ODI 10479339 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10660045 · 99,500 mi WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL NEW HEADLIGHTS, I REMOVED THE NEGATIVE ON THE BATTERY. AFTER PUTTING THE NEGATIVE BACK ON TO THE BATTERY, THE SYSTEM HAS RESET AND HAS NOT REBOOTED SINCE THEN. THE CAR IS IN MINIMAL DRIVING CONDITION, PERFORMANCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DROPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE ENGINE KNOCKS AND SHAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS, THERE IS NO MORE TURBO BOOST AND WHILE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR IS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED. TR Look up ODI 10660045 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0
Electrical System	0	0	2 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 Look up ODI 10479339 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10660045 · 99,500 mi WHILE ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL NEW HEADLIGHTS, I REMOVED THE NEGATIVE ON THE BATTERY. AFTER PUTTING THE NEGATIVE BACK ON TO THE BATTERY, THE SYSTEM HAS RESET AND HAS NOT REBOOTED SINCE THEN. THE CAR IS IN MINIMAL DRIVING CONDITION, PERFORMANCE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DROPPED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE ENGINE KNOCKS AND SHAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS, THERE IS NO MORE TURBO BOOST AND WHILE FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR IS HESITANT TO INCREASE SPEED. TR Look up ODI 10660045 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	3 ODI 10443931 · 49,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 SAAB 93 AERO. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE WIRING OF MY SEAT WARMER. IT HAD GAVE ME A SLIGHT BURN ON MY LEFT BOTTOM/LEG AREA. GOOD THING I TURNED IT OFF IN TIME BECAUSE I ALSO STARTED SMELLING AS IF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAD BEEN STARTING. IT SMELT OF BURNED LEATHER AND POSSIBLY OTHER COMPONENTS. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THERE WHERE UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR NO COST BUT IN MY OPINION THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF THERE WORRIES. THIS TO ME IS A LIABILITY ISSUE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. … Look up ODI 10443931 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10676325 · 73,708 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH TOWN AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED MY UPPER LEFT THIGH AND I WAS TRYING TO PULL MY LEG OUT OF THE WAY AND ALMOST CRASHED, AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I SAW THAT IT HAD ALSO BURNT THE LEATHER SEAT LEAVING ABOUT A FOUR AND A HALF INCH BURN MARK ON THE SEAT ABOVE THE HEATER COIL. *TR Look up ODI 10676325 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10991551 PURCHASED SAAB 9-3 2007 BRAND NEW. NEARLY IMMEDIATELY THE HEADLIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. I FOUND MYSELF REPLACING THEM OFTEN AND TWICE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE WHEN I HADN'T REALIZED AND HAD JUST REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. ALSO GOT ONE KEY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE A/C WASN'T WORKING WELL SO FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE SAAB DEALER IN SANTA FE, NM IN 2008 WITH COMPLAINTS. THEY WERE TO GET ME A SECOND KEY, FIX THE A/C, CHECK THE LEATHER ON FRONT SEAT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL AND HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. THE ELECTRIC PANEL… Look up ODI 10991551 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10339477 · 23,200 mi 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L V6 TURBO ENGINE (CONVERTIBLE) - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE - (ODOMETER - 23,200 MILES) UPON STARTING, ENGINE RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, PROCEEDED TO SAAB DEALER FOR SERVICE - NO SERVICE LIGHTS ON DASH - EVENTUALLY LOST POWER BRAKES - ENGINE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES - ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A ONE-MILE DISTANCE. *TR Look up ODI 10339477 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	0	0	0	0	—	0	0	0
Seat Belts	0	0	0	0	0	—	0	0
Seats	0	0	0	3 ODI 10443931 · 49,000 mi I WAS DRIVING MY 2007 SAAB 93 AERO. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOMETHING FAULTY WITH THE WIRING OF MY SEAT WARMER. IT HAD GAVE ME A SLIGHT BURN ON MY LEFT BOTTOM/LEG AREA. GOOD THING I TURNED IT OFF IN TIME BECAUSE I ALSO STARTED SMELLING AS IF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAD BEEN STARTING. IT SMELT OF BURNED LEATHER AND POSSIBLY OTHER COMPONENTS. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALERSHIP THERE WHERE UNWILLING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE FOR NO COST BUT IN MY OPINION THAT SHOULD BE THE LEAST OF THERE WORRIES. THIS TO ME IS A LIABILITY ISSUE AND A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. … Look up ODI 10443931 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10676325 · 73,708 mi I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THROUGH TOWN AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT GOT SO HOT IT BURNED MY UPPER LEFT THIGH AND I WAS TRYING TO PULL MY LEG OUT OF THE WAY AND ALMOST CRASHED, AND WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR I SAW THAT IT HAD ALSO BURNT THE LEATHER SEAT LEAVING ABOUT A FOUR AND A HALF INCH BURN MARK ON THE SEAT ABOVE THE HEATER COIL. *TR Look up ODI 10676325 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10991551 PURCHASED SAAB 9-3 2007 BRAND NEW. NEARLY IMMEDIATELY THE HEADLIGHTS KEPT GOING OUT. I FOUND MYSELF REPLACING THEM OFTEN AND TWICE WAS PULLED OVER BY POLICE WHEN I HADN'T REALIZED AND HAD JUST REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT. ALSO GOT ONE KEY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE A/C WASN'T WORKING WELL SO FINALLY TOOK IT TO THE SAAB DEALER IN SANTA FE, NM IN 2008 WITH COMPLAINTS. THEY WERE TO GET ME A SECOND KEY, FIX THE A/C, CHECK THE LEATHER ON FRONT SEAT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ELECTRICAL AND HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT. THE ELECTRIC PANEL… Look up ODI 10991551 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	—	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	0	0	1 ODI 10339477 · 23,200 mi 2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L V6 TURBO ENGINE (CONVERTIBLE) - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE - (ODOMETER - 23,200 MILES) UPON STARTING, ENGINE RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, PROCEEDED TO SAAB DEALER FOR SERVICE - NO SERVICE LIGHTS ON DASH - EVENTUALLY LOST POWER BRAKES - ENGINE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES - ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A ONE-MILE DISTANCE. *TR Look up ODI 10339477 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—

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

Recurring narrative patterns

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

Search patterns

5 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

8 mentions · 5.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 27,690 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10201180 · 10,395 mi

Look up ODI 10201180 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10260682 · 25,380 mi

MY BRAKES FAIL TO WORK AFTER STARTING MY CAR BUT ON FEB 23RD. I WAS ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I TRIED TO BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS ON. THE CAR WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN A BIT BUT ONCE I TOOK FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP AGAIN. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON THE 24TH OF FEB. AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND MAYBE MY FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. MY CAR CONTINUES TO HAVE TROUBLE BRAKING. *TR

Look up ODI 10260682 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10288679 · 25,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2007 SAAB 9-3. HE HAS TO REPEATEDLY APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. THE POWER ASSIST UNIT WAS REPLACED UNDER THE WARRANTY. HE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE POWER ASSIST REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

Look up ODI 10288679 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

8 mentions · 5.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 62,755 mi (6 usable records).

ODI 10213837

Look up ODI 10213837 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10339477 · 23,200 mi

2007 SAAB 9-3 AERO EQUIPPED WITH 2.8L V6 TURBO ENGINE (CONVERTIBLE) - ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE - (ODOMETER - 23,200 MILES) UPON STARTING, ENGINE RAN A LITTLE ROUGH, PROCEEDED TO SAAB DEALER FOR SERVICE - NO SERVICE LIGHTS ON DASH - EVENTUALLY LOST POWER BRAKES - ENGINE STALLED AND BURST INTO FLAMES - ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A ONE-MILE DISTANCE. *TR

Look up ODI 10339477 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10406188 · 39,000 mi

2007 SAAB 9-3 THE VEHICLE STALLS DURING HOT AND COLD WEATHER. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE RUNS "ROUGH" THE VEHICLE HAS THEN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. SAAB USA HAS BEEN MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I ADVISED THEM I WANT THEM TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER IT'S FACTORY WARRANTY. *TR

Look up ODI 10406188 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Steering assistance concerns

5 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 78,000 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10558603 · 61,510 mi

IN COLD WEATHER (SLIGHTLY BELOW FREEZING AT THE TIME) VEHICLE STARTED BUT IDLED VERY ROUGHLY. DROVE DOWN STREET AND WHILE COASTING ENGINE WAS IDLING AND SPUTTERED AND STALLED WITHIN 1 MINUTE OF INITIAL START. LOSS OF BRAKE ASSIST, POWER STEERING, POWER TO ACCELERATE WITH TRAFFIC. PULLED OFF TO SIDE AND RESTARTED ENGINE. AGAIN ROUGH IDLE. APPLIED GAS PEDAL AND HELD RPMS SLIGHTLY ABOVE IDLE TO WARM ENGINE. AFTER ~5 MINUTES, CAR WAS IDLING NORMALLY. NO FURTHER ISSUES ONCE ENGINE REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. UPON RESEARCH SAAB/GM (SPNA TEC…

Look up ODI 10558603 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10577758 · 78,000 mi

MY 2007 SAAB 9-3, HAS INCIDENTS OF NOT STARTING WHEN I INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. I GET AN THAT INDICATES "STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION. PULL OVER SAFELY". THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS OF 65 MILES PER HOUR. I NOTICE THAT WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR, I CAN DRIVE IT BUT ONCE I PLACE IT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO MOVE IT. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE CAR IS A GENERAL MOTORS…

Look up ODI 10577758 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10632167 · 75,000 mi

2007 SAAB HAS ISSUE WITH DRIVER STEERING LOCK AND DRIVER AIR BAG FAILURE. WHEN I DRIVER ON HIGHWAY I GET NOTICE STEERING WHEEL LOCK. I HAVE NOT HAVE THE WHEEL LOCK YET WHILE I AM DRIVING ON HIGHWAY BUT I DID COMPLETE STOP SEVERAL TIME WHEN NOTICE ON DASH BOARD LIGHT UP WHERE THE STEERING LOCKS UP AFTER I STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR. I BROUGHT IN THE CAR TO GM DEALER AND ERROR ON SYSTEM COMPUTER AND THEY SAID NO ISSUE. FOR A 2008 AUTOMOTIVE LESS THAN 100,000 MILES TO HAVE AIR BAG FAILURE IS VERY ODD. DEALERS WANT TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG WHICH C…

Look up ODI 10632167 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

5 mentions · 3.2% of complaints

Median mileage: 43,000 mi (4 usable records).

ODI 10201180 · 10,395 mi

Look up ODI 10201180 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10594874 · 26,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE VEHICLE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 26,000.

Look up ODI 10594874 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10733044 · 60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E009000(FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT ALSO RECEIVED NOTIFICATI…

Look up ODI 10733044 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

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

Battery drain and no-start mentions

3 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 112,000 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10561087 · 90,000 mi

BEGAN HAVING ISSUES STARTING, AND MISFIRES, AND FINALLY ENGINE LOST COMPRESSION BUT STILL ABLE TO START WHEN WEATHER WAS WARM. NOV -DEC 2011 NO START OR HARD START IN WEATHER BELOW 35F,LOCAL SERVICE SHOP SAID NEEDED NEW ENGINE, NO COMPRESSION WHEN SAT FOR LONG PERIODS OR EXTERIOR TEMP BELOW 35F APPROX 94,000 MILE. DEC 2011- CALLED SAAB BUT BANKRUPT SO NO CUSTOMER SERVICE, REACHED OUT TO GM CORPORATE REGARDING WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD NOT HONORING THEM SINCE BANKRUPTCY. JAN 2012 -2ND OPINION BY INDY SAAB FOCUSED SERVICE CENTER. THOUGHT WRONG OIL W…

Look up ODI 10561087 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10621370

DIFFICULT OR NO START WHEN COLD, ROUGH IDLE, LOW COMPRESSION #4 CYLINDER. *TR

Look up ODI 10621370 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

Matching rule