SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10542489September 8, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AFTER SITTING, THE BRAKES HAD GREATLY INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT TO APPLY AND GREATLY REDUCED BREAKING RESULT. THE CAR FAILED TO STOP AND STRUCK A POLE WHILE BACKING UP.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537345August 26, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536926August 23, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR THREE MONTHS THEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TAKE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SLOWLY AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AFTER I MADE THE EXIT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION CASSETTE! SO DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536025August 19, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION BROKE AT 60MPH ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHILE PASSING A SEMI DURING HEAVY RAINFALL. COMPLETE LOSS OF WINDSHIELD WIPERS OCCURRED, LOOSING ALL VISIBILITY WHICH BECAME VERY DANGEROUS GIVEN THE VEHICLE POSITION, SPEED AND OTHER TRAFFIC. I OWN AND OPERATE A SAAB REPAIR SHOP AND THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON ALL 2003-2011 SAAB 9-3 MODELS WHERE THE PLASTIC LINKAGE POPS OFF DRIVE MOTOR CAUSING COMPLETE OR PARTIAL LOSS OF WIPERS. HAVE REPAIRED 13 OF THESE 9-3S IN SHOP OVER FIVE YEARS. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. I MYSELF HAD NEVER BEEN PUT INTO THIS POSITION BEFORE BUT WILL NOW BE SUGGESTING REPLACEMENT OF THIS ASSEMBLY TO ALL MY 9-3 CLIENTS. SAAB PART NUMBER 12755304 IS CURRENT REPAIR UNIT FROM SAAB PARTS NA. PLEASE SEE THIS EBAY SELLER SELLING NEW LINKAGE REPAIR KITS TO SHOW A SMALL EXTENT OF FAILURES. HTTP://WWW.EBAY.COM/ITM/NEW-WIPER-LINKAGE-KIT-FOR-YOUR-SAAB-9-3-LIFETIME-WARRANTY-/190701796906?PT=MOTORS_CAR_TRUCK_PARTS_ACCESSORIES&FITS=MAKE%3ASAAB%7CMODEL%3A9-3&HASH=ITEM2C66B67E2A&VXP=MTR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535307August 14, 2013
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 DRIVING. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR MASS SENSOR AS REPLACING AIR MASS SENSOR WITH USED PART, PROBLEM DISAPPEARED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE AND TRIES TO MAKE A QUICK MANEUVER INVOLVING TIGHT TRAFFIC (LEFT TURN WHEN PERFORMANCE IS PARAMOUNT). WHATEVER THIS CONDITION IS THAT THE ELECTRONICS/ENGINE CONTROLS IS/ARE ENTERING IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535087August 13, 2013
AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND MY PASSENGERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS EJECTED FROM THE DOOR. I HAD NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534800August 12, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FILLED GAS TANK AND GAUGE READ FULL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, GAUGE READ EMPTY. BEGAN OCCURRING WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER, BUT NOW READS EMPTY IMMEDIATELY AFTER FILLING. ONCE 1/8 TO 1/4 OF THE TANK IS USED, GAUGE READS ACCURATELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533757August 5, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR STALLED. WILL NOT START....I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP. I CALLED AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP PART NUMBER. I CALLED THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM, STILL MAKING PAYMENTS, AND HE SAID THAT HE COULD NOT ASSIST ME BECAUSE HE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AN AUCTION. PLEASE HELP ME , I NEED TO GET THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532690July 30, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE, CAUSING INACCURATE READINGS OF FUEL LEVELS AND AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,068.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532103July 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
2 INCIDENTS OCCURRED. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND, OCCASIONALLY ON COLD STARTS, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO BACK UP AND STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD TO DEPRESS MAKING BRAKING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. ADDITIONALLY, ON OCCASION, IF I ACCELERATE AND THEN ATTEMPT TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS MAKING STOPPING DIFFICULT. THIS HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT DURING HGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532104July 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I OWN SEVERAL SAAB 9-3S AND ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THIS VEHICLE, AS WELL AS ANOTHER, BOTH WITH THE 6 CYLINDER, EXPERIENCE INSTANCES IN WHICH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS RESULTING IN PROBLEMS SLOWING OR STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE CONDITION OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR AFTER YOU HAVE ACCELERATED AND THEN ARE REQUIRED TO STOP SUCH AS IN HIGH TRAFFIC CONGESTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520898June 20, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520621June 19, 2013
SUSPENSION
LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. CORRESPONDS WITH EXISTING SAAB TSB FOR 9-3'S THROUGH 2006. MY 2007 IS IDENTICAL VEHICLE AND EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME PART AS EARLIER VEHICLES, BUT CURRENT CAMPAIGN DOES NOT COVER THIS YEAR. IT CAUSED A DRIVABILITY ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW FOR ACTION, THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10520148June 17, 2013
SEAT BELTS
I WAS GETTING OUT OF MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND IT UNWOUND ALL THE WAY OUT AND NOW WILL NOT RETRACT AT ALL. I FOUND ON LINE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT THING ON MY YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR BUT MY VIN# SEEMS TO NOT BE INCLUDED. RECALL #42582- SEAT BELTS: FRONT RETRACTOR. THIS IS A $550 DEALER SERVICE CHARGE AND I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS MYSELF. HOW COULD THIS BE? EXACT PROBLEM EXACT YEAR MAKE AND MODEL?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519518June 12, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BECAME DETACHED AND WOULD NOT SECURE AROUND THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 10V043000 (SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10516083June 10, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V043000 (SEAT BELTS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10515849June 9, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513897May 28, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10513243May 23, 2013
SEAT BELTS
I GOT IN THE CAR TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND WHEN I PUT MY SEAT BELT ON IT CAME COMPLETELY OUT AND NOW WON'T RETRACT. I FOUND OUT THERE IS A GM RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ALL THE GM SERVICE CENTERS NEAR ME REFUSE TO WORK ON SAAB VEHICLES. THE NEAREST SAAB SERVICE CENTER I CAN FIND IS APPROXIMATELY 110 MILES FROM MY HOME AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THAT DISTANCE WITH A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10512690May 19, 2013
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT 65 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB, SHIFT COVER AND ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE CAR - THE BASE-METAL STICK SHIFT WAS ALL THAT REMAINED, AND THUS THE SAFETY LATCH THAT PREVENTS CAR FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, INSTEAD OF A FORWARD MOVING GEAR, NORMALLY ATTACHED TO THE EXTERIOR, WAS NOW MISSING. ALAS, SAFELY SHIFTING INTO ANY OF ITS 6 GEARS, WAS NOT AN OPTION ... IT'S ODD, BUT PER ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING SPECS, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IN THE 9-3, HAS ZERO LOCKING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE KNOB AND COSMETIC HOUSING FROM SEPARATING. NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIPS AND ACROSS THE INTERNET. GM STILL COVERS 9-3, 2008, UNDER ITS WARRANTY POLICIES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
1

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