SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10209034November 15, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. HER LEGS BECAME EXTREMELY HOT SO SHE PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE SEAT WARMER. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE AND A HOLE WAS BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SEAT. SHORTLY AFTER THE SEAT WARMER WAS SHUT OFF, THE SMOKE CEASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 94,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207942November 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
THE SHIFT NOB FLEW OFF - EXPOSING ONLY A SMALL METAL BAR TO HOLD ON TO AND SHIFT- THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN TRAFFIC AND MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT UNTIL PULLING OVER AND RE-ATTACHING THE NOB. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206623October 23, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND REMAINS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206026October 17, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
ENABLED DRIVER SIDE SEAT HEATER FOR FIRST TIME SINCE LAST WINTER/SPRING. WHILE DRIVING, LEFT SIDE OF MY LOWER BODY STARTED BURNING, AND I SMELLED SMOKE. PARKED CAR. DIME SIZED HOLE WITH SMOLDERING EDGES WAS PRESENT ON MY DRIVERS SEAT. UPON TOUCHING IT, MY FINGER TIP WAS BURNED. IMMEDIATELY DISABLED SEAT HEATER AND STOPPED CAR. CONTACTED SAAB USA. REFERRED ME TO DEALER WHERE I AM TAKING CAR TOMORROW. THEY WILL DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, AND DECIDE IF THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT. IN MY OPINION, AND BASED ON COMPLAINTS I'VE READ FROM OTHERS, IT IS. VERY SCARY SITUATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204581October 1, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE AT 4 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. HE HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES AND ONLY WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2007. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 13,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204232September 26, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CABIN FAN RUNS ALTHOUGH KEY IS NO IN IGNITION AND UNIT IS ON OFF POSITION. THE SITUATION ALSO HAPPENS WHEN UNIT IS IN OFF POSITION AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202920September 13, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
22 JUNE 07 REAR BRAKES REPLACED, NOTICED ON INITIAL DRIVING THAT BRAKE PEDAL WOULD 'BOTTOM OUT' , BRAKES WOULD MAKE METAL ON METAL SOUND, AND VEHICLE SLOW TO STOP. 13 JULY 07 VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER WITH BRAKE COMPLAINT, HAND BRAKE ADJUSTED. 17 AUG 07 VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER WITH SAME ABOVE COMPLAINT, VACUUM BOOSTER PIPES AND NON-RETURN VALVE REPLACED 5 SEP 07 VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER WITH SAME COMPLAINT, VACUUM PUMP PIPE ASSEMBLY REPLACED AGAIN. 10 SEP 07 VEHICLE RETURNED TO DEALER WITH SAME COMPLAINT, NO PROBLEM FOUND. AS OF THIS DATE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION ON INITIAL STARTUP, ONCE BRAKES HAVE BEEN USED FOR SEVERAL STOPS THEY APPEAR TO START WORKING MORE CORRECTLY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201180August 29, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200985August 28, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. AT 68,359 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT DUE TO A BLOWN PISTON. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT FOR THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,780.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200589August 23, 2007
TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE VEHICLE HAS FOUR PIRELLI P6 (SIZE P215/55R16-97) SEASON TIRES. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE SIDEWALL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY BURST. SHE WAS ABLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACED THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS DISCOVERED THAT SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE WITH THIS BRAND OF TIRE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 16,400.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200472August 22, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE BODY BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $714. ALSO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED (NON-WARRANTY) AFTER THE IGNITION MODULE (RECALL). AT APPROX. 118,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199881August 17, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
IN, APPROXIMATELY, THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, MY ENGINE WARNING LIGHT MY ENGINE WARNING LIGHT HAS GONE ON. IN CONTACTING THE DEALER, THE FIRST TIME, THE GAS CAP HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY PUT BACK ON. THE TWO SUBSEQUENT TIMES, I AM CERTAIN THAT IT HAD BEEN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THINKING IT WAS EITHER THE O2 SENSOR, OR THE GAS CAP. I WAS TOLD, BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR, THAT THERE WAS (I BELIEVE HE SAID) A VAPOR LEAK. IT WOULD REQUIRE PUTTING ON A REDESIGNED GAS CAP. THE SERVICE WRITE-UP STATED IT WAS "REPLACED WITH AN UPDATED GAS CAP". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199804August 16, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON 1/26/07 THE WATER PUMP OF MY CAR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE CHANGES. IT WAS ALSO CHANGED BY THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER ON 11/10/04 & 2/25/03. HENCE THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH THREE WATER PUMPS IN 44510 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199800August 16, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 50000 MILES ON. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST INDICATED MALFUNCTION BEGAN AT LEAST 5000 MILES PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199518August 14, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAVE OWNED 4 DIFFERENT SAAB MODELS AND I HAVE ALLAYS HAD HEATED SEATS. THIS LAST WINTER WHILE WEARING A SUIT AND WOOL OVERCOAT I FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY BACK. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED MY SEAT OFF, WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR THERE WHERE COIL BURN MARKS IN MY LEATHER SEAT. THERE HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE IF A HEATED SEAT COIL CAN BURN THROUGH LEATHER, AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH AN INCH OF WOOL... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199519August 14, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
MOON ROOF THINKS IT IS PINCHING AND RETRACTS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199521August 14, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
WHEN CAR IS LOCKED AND TRUNK LID IS OPENED WITH THE KEY FOR THE CAR ALARM WILL SOUND OFF, THE REAR TRUNK HANDLE ALSO ONLY WORKS WHEN REAR TRUNK HATCH IS ACTUALLY OPENED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198567August 5, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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 LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE CAR FROM 65 MPH ONLY TO HAVE NO BRAKE PRESSURE AGAIN. I WAS FORCED TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING SEVERAL CARS. I DROVE THE CAR VERY SLOWLY BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DEMANDED THEY FIX IT. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP TWO WEEKS FOR WHAT THEY CLAIM WAS A BAD MASTER CYLINDER. I SUFFERED BRAKE LOSS A THIRD TIME AND THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO TO HELP ME SO I PARKED THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 3 MONTHS WHILE SAAB AND MY LEASING COMPANY NEGOTIATED A BUY BACK. I NO LONGER HAVE THE VEHICLE. SAAB REPURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2007. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197951July 31, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 SAAB 93 LINEAR - HEATING/AIR CONDITION BLOWER MOTOR COMPONENT FAILURE. POWER DRIVER WINDOW REGULATOR COMPONENT FAILURE. DEALER REPLACING BOTH PARTS. THE TRANSMISSION HAS SLIPPAGE WHEN ACCELERATING AT LOWER SHIFTS AFTER COASTING AT SLOWER SPEEDS 20 TO 30 MPH OR HARD SPRING TO NEXT GEAR FROM STOP, VERY SIMILAR TO COMPLAINTS ALREADY RECORDED. DEALER HAS PREVIOUSLY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE TO CORRECT AND NOW SUGGESTS NEW VALUE BODY OR COMPLETE TRANSMISSION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197352July 24, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH. WHEN THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEARS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED INTO LITTLE PIECES. FOR THREE WEEKS, THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE CONTACT IS REQUESTING THAT SAAB PAY THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN AND IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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