SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10239054August 20, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
DOOR HANDLES AND SIDE BODY MOLDING ARE FADING ABNORMALLY. DOOR HANDLES ARE PRETTY MUCH WHITE IN COLOR. THEY WERE ORIGINALLY BLACK. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AFTER ONLY 4 YEARS, ESPECIALLY WITH A CAR LIKE A SAAB (FOR WHICH YOU THINK YOU ARE PAYING FOR QUALITY). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236970August 5, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS IS THE SIXTH FAILURE ON THE ENGINE. MY WIFE WAS IN MARYLAND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN HOUR AWAY IN BALTIMORE. THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, IT WAS REPAIRED AND THEN SHE HAD TO GET HER OWN RIDE TO THE DEALER (WE ARE FROM OHIO). THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE ENGINE WAS USING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OIL. THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE THE FACTORY ALIGNED ALL THE RING GAPS IN THE SAME DIRECTION. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KICKS ON EVERY 400 TO 1000 MILES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE RINGS, COMPUTER, THROTTLE BODY TWICE, AIR BOX AND OTHER SMALLER ITEMS. BY THE WAY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND DOESN'T GO ABOVE THIRTY MILES AN HOUR. THIS IS REAL SAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236205July 29, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON JULY 25 2008, MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDAN. SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD, SIDE SWIPING 2 TREES BEFORE SLAMMING INTO A DRAINAGE PIPE/EMBANKMENT. THE LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT DEPLOYED. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS WITH EXTENSIVE FRONT-END DAMAGE. IF NOT FOR HER WEARING HER SEAT BELT, I WOULD LIKELY BE MAKING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. THIS IS THE SECOND FRONT-END COLLISION WITH THIS VEHICLE WITHOUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. I QUESTIONED SAAB IN 2004 ABOUT THE FIRST INCIDENT WHICH THEIR REPLY WAS THAT THE CAR PERFORMED AS IT WAS DESIGNED. THAT ACCIDENT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER ALL THE SEAT BELT SENSORS AND FRY THE MAIN COMPUTER. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10236271July 29, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I BOUGHT A USED 2.0L 2000 SAAB 9-3 A YEAR AGO. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAVE HAD. I'VE REPLACED THE THROTTLE HOUSING, SERPENTINE BELT, BELT TENSIONER, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND MOST RECENTLY THE WATER PUMP. NOW, I'M GETTING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULT CODE P1312 AND P1334, WHICH POINTS TO THE DIRECTION IGNITION MODULE. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE IN CERTAIN SAABS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, BUT IT'S ODD THAT MY CAR COINCIDENTALLY HAPPENS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M THINKING THAT THE PROBLEM IS LARGER THAN INITIALLY ANTICIPATED WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236004July 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 04V557000 AND 06V126000 ARE RECALLS WHICH NECESSITATED SAAB TO INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP BRACKETS. THE 2001 SAAB 9-3, WHICH I OWN, WAS FIRST REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FUEL LINES WERE CORRUPTED AND CAUSED FUEL TO PUMP OUT INTO THE OPEN ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK. THIS WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AT THAT TIME. MUCH LATER, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR AN INSPECTION OF THE FUEL PUMP BRACKET TO MAKE SURE THE A "NEW" BRACKET HAD BEEN INSTALLED. THESE TWO INSPECTIONS REQUIRED THE LOWERING OF THE FUEL TANK. I RECEIVED A CODE 0442 A FEW MONTHS LATER AND HAD THE SAAB DEALER INSPECT POSSIBLE CAUSE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE VENT HOSE FILLER PIPE HAS A LEAK AS DETERMINED BY A "SMOKE" CHECK. LATER, AT A DIFFERENT SHOP, WHILE HAVING A TIRE ROTATION, THE TECHNICIAN HAD ME COME OUT AND CHECK THE RIGHT WHEEL AREA WITH THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY REMOVED. WHAT WAS REVEALED WAS A "RUB" HOLE IN THE VENT HOSE CAUSED BY CONTACT WITH THE SHOCK ABSORBER. I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE. THE DAMAGED VENT LINE IS EITHER 1) POOR ENGINEERING OF THE VENT LINE IN RELATION TO THE SHOCK ABSORBER, OR 2) THE DAMAGE WAS THE ACT OF POOR RE-INSTALLMENT OF THE FUEL TANK EITHER ON THE REPAIR OR LATER INSPECTION. MY QUESTION IS THIS, " HAS THERE BEEN ANY REPORTS OF SHOCK ABSORBERS, OR OTHER PARTS, CAUSING HOLES IN THE VENT LINES WHICH PASS NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL ASSEMBLY?" SAAB HAS NOT BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235782July 25, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS HAVE NO SOUND. THEY ARE HOOKED UP TO THE EHU UNIT WHICH THE MANUFACTURER SAYS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF CAN NOT HEAR THE SIGNAL AND YOU DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL ON. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THIS PART. MY SOUND SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING EITHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234649July 17, 2008
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED A 2004 SAAB 9-3 AROUND MARCH 15, 2007. A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO, I WAS VACATIONING IN FLORIDA WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO, FL WHERE I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PURCHASE A SPEED SENSOR. THIS WAS DONE AND THE COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $515.00. THE DAY AFTER THE REPAIR, I NOTICED THE CAR CONTINUED TO HAVE ROUGH AND INAPPROPRIATE SHIFTING. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SAAB DEALERSHIP IN DUBLIN, OH WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CHANGED AND THE TRANSMISSION REPROGRAMMED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS, 'MILKY AND DARK IN APPEARANCE.' THEY SUGGESTED THAT I TAKE THE CAR, DRIVE IT FOR 2 WEEKS AND BRING IT BACK TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COST FOR THIS IS $7000.00. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THE COUPLINGS HAD GONE BAD AND CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THESE SAME COUPLINGS WERE RECALLED BY SAAB IN 2003-2004. HOWEVER, BY VIN NUMBER, MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE DATES OF THE RECALL. THE RADIATOR AND COUPLINGS WERE MANUFACTURED DURING THAT RECALL PERIOD AND ARE CONSIDERED TO BE DEFECTIVE PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP TO CONTACT GM/SAAB TO TRY AND OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I HAVE BEEN IN THAT PROCESS FOR ALMOST 1 MONTH NOW. ORIGINALLY, THEY OFFERED TO PAY 25% TOWARDS PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION (ADMITTING GUILT) WHICH WOULD DECREASE THE COST FOR ME TO $5000.00. I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10234553July 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. THE CAR WAS WORKING COMPLETELY FINE BEFORE I BROUGHT IT IN, BUT I FIGURED I SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS RECALL ITEM (THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS - RECALL ID# 12866). WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR AFTER THEY PERFORMED THE NECESSARY SERVICE, THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND SHAKING SIGNIFICANTLY. THE MECHANIC REASSESSED THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THAT MY IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE HAS AN INTERNAL FAULT. THE DEALER HAS OFFERED TO REPAIR THE CAR FOR $996. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233628July 9, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE APPLIED WITH MORE PRESSURE THAN NORMAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233096July 3, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10233062July 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 79,900 MILES. UPON DIAGNOSIS BY THE SAAB DEALER, THEY SAID THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING. REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY AS WHEN THE PART CEASED TO FUNCTION THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. : DATES THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED -- 6/30/08 (82,903 MI), 3/21/07 (56,231 MI.), 12/15/05 (32,671 MI.), 8/17/04 (18,720MI.). THE REPLACED PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10232407June 26, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION SPRINGS ON MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 BROKE. A FRONT TIRE WAS PUNCTURED WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION DUE TO THE BREAK. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY IF IT WAS ON THE FREEWAY. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF THIS. MY CAR ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. SOMETHING LIKE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE NEAREST DEALER THAT WANTS TO CHARGE $1100 FOR THE FIX BECAUSE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY BY 6,000 MILES. I AM ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING SAAB USA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231431June 18, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I HAVE A SAAB 93 AERO AND THE BRAKES DO NOT WORK SHORTLY AFTER STARTING THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231436June 18, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT
ON COLD START, MY HYDRAULIC BRAKES FAILS TO OPERATE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231479June 18, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR WILL NOT STOP WHEN IN REVERSE AFTER MORNING START-UP. NO BRAKING POWER IN REVERSE EVEN AT IDLE. PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED 3 TIMES BY DEALERSHIP. CAR IN AGAIN FOR SAME PROBLEM ONLY 5 DAYS AFTER PREVIOUS "FIX" IN SHOP AGAIN NOW ALMOST 2 WEEKS AS OF TODAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10231264June 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 OF OTHER SAAB'S HAVING SIMILAR FIRE PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS INVESTIGATED SO OTHER'S ARE NOT INJURED IN AN OCCURRENCE LIKE THIS. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES, AND INFORMED ME HOW LUCKY I WAS THAT I JUMPED OUT, AND NOT BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND PARKED IT IN MY GARAGE. OTHERWISE THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. I DO NOT HAVE THE FULL VIN B/C THE CAR IS COMPLETELY TOTALED IN FIRE. THE LAST SIX NUMBERS ARE 013430. THE VEHICLE BELONGS TO A FLEET COMPANY WHEELS INC. I WORK FOR A PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, AND THIS WAS MY COMPANY CAR. WHEELS/ROCHE SHOULD HAVE ALL DETAILS ON THE VEHICLE WHEN YOU ARE INVESTIGATING. INFORMATION FOR ORANGE COUNTY FIRE RESCUE 407-836-9000 RUN# 47137; MCDONALD'S PHONE #: 407-827-1030. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230949June 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
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.SAABSCENE.COM/FORUM/INDEX.PHP?SHOWTOPIC=31635698. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230225June 7, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE COOLANT SYSTEM TANK RUPTURED SPRAYING ENGINE COOLANT OVER TURBO AND ENGINE. THE COOLANT TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES IN THE PAST 9 MONTHS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING A NEW COOLANT TANK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10230224June 7, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO SPORT COMBI. TWO WEEKS AGO, AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 24 HOURS, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE STARTED ROLLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ROCK HARD AT THE TOP OF THE STROKE. IT TOOK ME NEARLY 75 FEET TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 2-3 MPH. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS BACK ORDERED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THIS COMPLAINT. EACH TIME THE AUX. BRAKE BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229728June 3, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE SPENT $494.97 ON WHAT WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY, I HAVE A SAAB 93 CONVERTIBLE AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED LOSING POWER. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NEED THE DI-CASSETTE REPLACED. ON THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ALSO HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to SAAB 9-3