SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10260244February 27, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SHE HEARD A NOISE AS HER FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10259457February 20, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE EXPERIENCES A SCRAPING SOUND. THEN HER RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND WAS SHREDDED. FORTUNATELY SHE WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY ON A LOCAL STREET, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER; OTHERWISE THE TIRE BLOWOUT COULD HAVE CAUSED HER SERIOUS HARM. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE SPRING (OR COIL) THAT HAD BROKEN. COST US $650.00 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS (SAAB SAID YOU HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS AT SAME TIME, EVEN THOUGH ONLY ONE BROKE) AND FOR A NEW TIRE. SAAB DEALER SAID BROKEN SPRINGS/COILS NOT COVERED. I KEPT THE BROKEN SPRING. WE HAD THE LOCAL CAR REPAIR SHOP DISCARD THE SHREDDED TIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10258846February 16, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE BLEW DO TO EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD UP, SAAB HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1999 AND OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ORIGINAL BUYERS TILL 8 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE. TO FIX, ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 100,000 MILES. THE OIL PORTHOLES THAT SQUIRT INTO THE PISTONS ARE CLOGGED BURNING OUT THE CYLINDERS. TO FIX THE CONCERN $4-5,000, IF WE CAN USE THE ENGINE THAT CAME WITH THE CAR, USED ENGINES ARE GOING FOR $2-3000 AND YOU CANNOT BUY A NEW OR REBUILT ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257743February 6, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING BROKE. HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING STILL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257607February 5, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
2003 SAAB 9-3 ARC. STARTED CAR AND SMELLED TIRE BURNING, DROVE AROUND BUILDING, CHECKED TIRES -- ALL 4 LOOKED FINE, CHECKED, DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW. HAD AAA CHANGE TIRE, AND WAS SHOWN IT BLEW FROM THE INSIDE. TOOK VEHICLE TO COSTCO FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. WAS INFORMED THAT THE SPRING COIL BROKE (WAS HANDED ABOUT A 6 INCH PIECE) AND THAT WAS WHAT BLEW THROUGH THE TIRE. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SAAB DEALERSHIP AND BOTH SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. THE LEFT FRONT IS VERY ERODED FROM RUST AND ALSO APPEARS READY TO BREAK. CONSEQUENCES - 2 NEW TIRES, 2 NEW FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND A TOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10257604February 5, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, TIRES
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE TED WILLIAMS TUNNEL AND THE LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. I DID NOT HIT A BUMP. THE SPRING CAUSED A CATASTROPIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. I HAD TO BE TOWED OUT OF THE TUNNEL AND HAVE NEW COIL SPRINGS INSTALLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256562January 28, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED. HE CHOSE NOT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE HE BELIEVES IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND AN OPEN INVESTIGATION FOR THE SAME FAILURE (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA08026 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS) DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : DECEMBER 22, 2008). HE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256621January 28, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION SPRINGS ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 BROKE. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF THIS. . SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER THAT WANTS TO CHARGE $1100 FOR THE FIX BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY. I AM ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING SAAB USA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255978January 22, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG FAILURE 2007 SAAB AERO CONVERTIBLE I WAS IN A 4 CAR PILE UP IN WHICH I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. AIR BAG SENSORS WERE HIT BUT AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I WAS SEATBELTED BUT DID HIT THE STEERING WHEEL FACE FIRST AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FROM THE SCENE. I DID SUFFER A CONCUSSION AND FACIAL BRUISING AND A FULL SET OF CUTS IN MY MOUTH. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10255340January 16, 2009
AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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 DEALERSHIP AND THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT GM/SAAB TO INVESTIGATE THE ACCIDENT TO DETERMINE IF THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. GM/SAAB SENT AN INSPECTOR AND I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE PROVIDED A REPORT REGARDING THEIR FINDINGS. THE INSPECTOR COMPLETED THE INVESTIGATION AND I WAS CONTACTED BY GM/SAAB. I WAS PROVIDED CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION BY THE GM/SAAB REPRESENTATIVE AND THEIR SUPERVISOR. WHEN I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE REPORTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS ON THREE OCCASIONS, I WAS DENIED. THEY STATED THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND IT RESPONDED IN THE ACCIDENT THE WAY AND MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED. I STATED TO THEM IF THAT IS IN FACT TRUE, GM/SAAB SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM PROVIDING ME A COPY OF THE REPORTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND A LETTER ATTESTING TO THE FACT IF WAS SAFE DRIVE; HOWEVER, THEY REPEATEDLY DENIED MY REQUEST. IN THE NEXT WEEK, I WILL BE GETTING BACK MY DAMAGED, BUT REPAIRED SAAB AND HAVE NO IDEA IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE LET A LONE SELL IF I CHOOSE NOT TO KEEP IT. I AM VERY CONCERNED OVER GM/SAAB'S LACK OF COOPERATION AND FAILURE TO PROVIDE NECESSARY INFORMATION AS TO THE ROADWORTHINESS OF MY VEHICLE. THEIR FAILURE TO COOPERATE ON THIS ENDEAVOR LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THEY CARE COVERING SOMETHING UP AND ARE CONCERNED OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION. MY POSITION IS THAT I WANT TO ENSURE THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND IF NOT, WAS THERE A FAILURE ON GM/SAAB'S PART AND WHAT ARE THEY WILLING TO DO TO CORRECT THE MATTER AT HAND. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10254844January 13, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS SAAB SERVICE CENTERS WITHOUT MUCH LUCK. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR ISSUED ON THE PART WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED THEY SAID THAT MY DI CASSETTE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE JUST HAD TO PAY AND REPLACE THIS PART AND I FEAR THAT THIS DAMAGED PART HAS COMPROMISED OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254741January 12, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
MY 2004 SAAB 93 ARC HAD 2 BROKEN FRONT COIL SPRINGS. TOLD CORROSION CAUSED BREAKAGE. RIGHT FRONT BROKE WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON IN THE CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP. REPAIRS OVER 400$ FOR JUST COIL SPRINGS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254664January 11, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
ABOUT 5 INCHES OF THE LOWER PART OF THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING HAD SNAPPED OFF AND REMAINED IN THE WHEEL WELL. WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO GET IT REPAIRED, JUST NOTICED IT, TIME OF INCIDENT UNKNOWN IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 06. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10253903January 5, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
ANOTHER FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE ON A SAAB 9-3. ON RETURNING FROM A 2 WEEK VACATION I STARTED THE CAR IN THE AIRPORT PARKING LOT AND HEARD A CLICKING / RUBBING NOISE FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. I STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE WHEEL AND NOTED RUST ON THE BRAKE ROTOR AND ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND WOULD WEAR OFF WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. DROVE ~1/4 MILE AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT BEFORE TURNING ON TO THE INTERSTATE WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE WHEEL. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE FRONT LEFT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING HAD FAILED AND THE FRACTURED SPRING WAS RUBBING ON THE TIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SAAB DEALER WHERE THE FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED AND THE DAMAGED TIRE REPLACED. I HAVE THE FAILED SPRING HARDWARE. DESPITE THE LARGE NUMBER OF SIMILAR FAILURES OF THE FRONT SPRING ON SAAB 9-3S, SAAB REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE AND CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE BEFORE TURNING ON TO INTERSTATE. IF I HAD NOT IT WOULD HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY RESULTED IN A HIGH SPEED TIRE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252788December 25, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR AND WAS DRIVING NEAR MY HOUSE AND HEARD A LOUD CRACK FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I DROVE THE CAR HOME A BLOCK AND TOOK THE WHEEL OFF TO FIND A PIECE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING SNAPPED OFF AND THE REMAINDER WAS RUBBING AGAINST MY TIRE. LUCKILY NO HARM WAS DONE TO MYSELF OR TIRE BUT IT COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON THE INTERSTATE WITH NOT AS GOOD RESULTS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR NOT ONLY IN THE US BUT SAME THING IN EUROPE. I WILL HAVE TO GET MY CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND GET THE COIL REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252539December 22, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
1. STANDARD DRIVING CONDITIONS IN MINNESOTA. 2. FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE. NEAR THE TOP OF SPRING. 3. REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AT DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252579December 22, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING COIL BROKE WHICH CAUSED TIRE BLOWOUT AND CAR TO BE IMMOBILIZED..DID NOT CAUSE ANY INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS BUT VERY WELL COULD HAVE HAD THERE BEEN ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251986December 16, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
ON 2004 SAAB 9-3, RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE, SLASHED WALL OF TIRE RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE DEFLATION. VEHICLE TAKEN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, REPAIRED SAME DAY, REQUESTED OLD PART TO BE HELD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250865December 5, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) AND HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A NEW IGNITION MODULE WAS ALREADY INSTALLED. DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250556December 2, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
MAJOR LEAKAGE FROM COOLANT EXPANSION TANK. SAAB DEALER REPORTED THE TANK HAD CRACKED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. TANK REPLACED. SERVICE MGR STATED THAT SAAB HAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE TANKS ON THE 2.8 V6 TURBO ENGINES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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