SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10196154July 11, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY (SID) IS LOSING ITS PIXELS AND IS UNREADABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME UNIT HAS FAILED. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN MAY 2005. SID PROVIDES ENGINE INFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE UPDATES AS WELL AS GENERAL INFORMATION SUCH AS TIME, RADIO/CD PLAYER OPERATION ,AND HANDS FREE TELEPHONE (CONSTAR) INFORMATION. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE SECOND UNIT SINCE IT WAS APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPLACE AND REQUIRED A SAAB CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WITH SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO MATE WITH THE CAR. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196013July 10, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY NOTIFYING ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP AND DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL HAD FAILED. I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE BULBS AND FOUND THAT THE WIRING HAD MELTED AND BROKEN AWAY FROM THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192901June 11, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE (RECALL#06V410000). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL APPLIED TO THE 2002-2003 SAAB 9-5 MODEL. THERE WAS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION # EA04008) FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IGNITION MODULE; HOWEVER, IT WAS CLOSED ON OCTOBER 27, 2004. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192442June 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:PADS
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF 2005 SAAB 9-3 WITH 23,000 MILES REVEALED "FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WORN BELOW LIMITS." *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191732May 25, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
2000 SAAB 9-3 FUEL LINE DISCONNECTED AT THE TANK ON THE PRESSURIZED SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP DUE TO A BROKEN PLASTIC TAB WHICH HODS THE FUEL LINE IN PLACE ( A TERRIABLE DESIGN) ALLOWING THE FUEL PUM DO DISCHARGE THE FUEL DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AT THE MAXIMUM DISCHARGE RATE OF THE FUEL PUMP ... I.E. GALLONS PER MINUTE WERE BEING PUMPED OUT THE TOP OF THE TANK RESULTING IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITITUATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191644May 24, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. ALSO -3*F TEMPERATURE FURTHER IMPEDED OIL CIRCULATION. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. ENGINE SHORTBLOCK WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191321May 21, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE A BRAND NEW SAAB. 2006 MODEL BOUGHT IN SEPTEMBER 2006. SINCE I HAVE THE CAR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION ED. LIGHT HAS GONE ON THREE TIMES, AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. IF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT WORKING IT CAN COST ME MY LIFE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191110May 10, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2003 SAAB 9-3 CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR JUST DROPPED OFF AFTER HAVING THE CAR INSPECTED THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS FOUND TO BE BROKEN**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF FAILING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY RUST THAT HAD FORMED INSIDE A RUBBER BOOT THAT WAS USED AT THE BASE OF THE SPRING TO DAMPEN NOISE. WATER WAS ABLE TO GET INSIDE THE BOOTS AND REMAIN, WHICH CAUSED RUST TO FORM AND EVENTUALLY COMPROMISED THE INTEGRITY OF THE SPRING. THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE NEW SPRINGS DID HAVE THE RUBBER BOOTS THAT THE ORIGINAL SPRINGS HAD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190276May 9, 2007
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
AT 50,100 MILES THE RADIO DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. VOLUME INCREASES OUT OF CONTRO,L AND RADIO WORKS NORMALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES TO 1 HOUR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10189364May 1, 2007
AIR BAGS
DRIVING ON ROAD AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN IN AFTERNOON OF FRIDAY, APRIL 27TH. NO PASSENGER WAS IN THE SEAT. SAAB WAS IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SAAB DEALER MONDAY MORNING. CAR WAS LEFT THERE ALL DAY AND SAAB CORP WAS TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED. NOTHING WAS DONE AND CAR WAS PICKED UP ON MONDAY EVENING. WE ARE DESPERATELY TRYING TO GET SAAB TO LOOK AT THE CAR BUT THEY ARE BEING DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH. SAAB CORP IS NOT GIVING ANY INDICATION AS TO WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND ENSURE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SAAB CORP AND SAAB DEALER DO NOT HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET THE CAR LOOKED AT. THE FEAR NOW IS THAT ANOTHER ONE MAY GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. DRIVERS EAR HAS NOT BEEN NORMAL SINCE THE INCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10189260April 30, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187987April 15, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WAS DRIVING CAR SMELT FUEL PULLED OVER AND FOUND GAS SPRAYING OUT FROM UNDER CAR BY FUEL TANK NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR RAN FINE BUT THERE WAS A LOT OF FUEL COMING OUT. FUEL LINES HAD STARTED TO COME OUT FROM FUEL PUMP LIKE REPORTED IN THE 2001 SAAB 93 RECALL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187056April 4, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
BRAKES HAVE FAILED TO WORK SEVERAL TIMES. THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE LOCKED AND NOT ABLE TO PRESS DOWN. TODAY AFTER ACCELERATING FROM 0 TO ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN. I FELT LIKE THE CRUISE CONTROL KICK IN. I TRIED TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES BUT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. I WAS DRIVING IN THE PASSING LANE TO AVOID HITTING ANY CARS. I NOTICED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON. I TURNED IT OFF AND THE BRAKES FINALLY STARTED TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND CLAIMS HE HAS NEVER HEARD OF ANY SUCH COMPLAINTS. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10187917April 3, 2007
STEERING
2003 SAAB 9-3'S STEERING LOCKED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY**CC WHEN THE STEERING LOCKED, THE CONSUMER CROSSED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE, HIT A SNOW BANK, A SNOW RAMP TO A FLOWER BED, WENT AIRBORNE AND HIT A WOODEN BUSINESS SIGN, CROSSED TO MORE PROPERTIES, AND CAME TO REST ON THE REAR END OF A PLEASURE BOAT. THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE READ STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION. THE CONSUMER HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE DURING THE ACCIDENT; WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE STEERING WORKED AGAIN, BUT THE MESSAGE STEERING LOCKED MALFUNCTION REMAINED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186566March 30, 2007
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
BACKING MY 2004 SAAB 93 OUT OF THE GARAGE I HEARD I LOUD RUBBING NOISE. I GOT MY HUSBAND, HE HAD ME DRIVE UP THE DRIVEWAY, THEN BACK DOWN. ON THE WAY BACK A TIRE BLEW, SO WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND JETTED INTO THE TIRE, CAUSING THE BLOWOUT. THE LEFT FRONT SPRING WAS ALSO CRACKED AT THE BASE, SO BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $1300. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 62K MILES ON IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186568March 30, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SAFETY RECALL ON THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE. THE FIRST TIME HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SAFETY RECALL REPAIR WORK DONE WAS 04/17/2006. THE CONTACT DROVE BACK HOME AT 60 MPH FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES, AND DURING THAT TIME AND FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT WENT BACK A SECOND TIME ON 05/11/2006 BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AND, THERE WERE GAS FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON 06/08/2006 BECAUSE THERE WERE OVERWHELMING GAS FUMES IN THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE ENGINE ON LIGHT STAYED ON CONSISTENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,949 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,900. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE INVOICES FOR REPAIRS AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE SAAB DEALERSHIP. UPDATE 4/25/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186418March 28, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CAR TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE BECAUSE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" ON INTERMITTENTLY; TOLD THERE WERE "NO PROBLEMS" AND INSTRUCTED ON HOW TO CLEAR MESSAGE. "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" AND "OIL" LIGHT BEGAN TO FLICKER INTERMITTENTLY; TAKEN TO 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS FOR CHECK; BOTH STATED THERE WAS OIL IN THE PAN, OIL IN THE ENGINE, NO OBVIOUS PROBLEM. "CHECK ENGINE" AND "OIL" LIGHTS CAME ON AND STAYED ON; CAR BEGAN MAKING NOISE. PULLED OVER AND HAD TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED BEARINGS WERE SHOT AND NEW ENGINE NEEDED. SAAB USA HAS PERSISTED IN DENYING CULPABILITY DESPITE LETTER AND MECHANIC'S STATEMENT. TOLD ME CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY RESULTING IN TOWING FROM INDEPENDENT SHOP TO DEALER; DEALER THEN SAID CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. BBB COMPLAINT FILED; NOW SAAB USA INSISTS ENGINE MUST BE TORN DOWN TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM AND I MUST ACCEPT RISK THAT IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT THEIRS, I WILL OWE $1500 FOR TEAR-DOWN; DEALER WANTS STORAGE CHARGES. CAR OUT OF SERVICE NOW 43 DAYS AND COUNTING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185754March 21, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR STARTED TO HAVE A BURNING SENSATION ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT UNDER MY LEFT THIGH. IT WAS SO HOT THAT I HAD TO PUT A TOWEL UNDER MY LEG WHEN THE HEATED SEAT WAS ON. EVENTUALLY, AFTER 2 MONTHS OF THIS, THE HEATED SEAT QUIT WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I DID TAKE IT IN FOR MAINTENANCE AND THEY TOLD ME I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT BACK AGAIN TO HAVE THEM DISASSEMBLE THE SEAT. I HAVE READ ON SAAB CHATLINES THAT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GETTING THEIR SEAT LEATHER REPLACED BECAUSE OF BURN MARKS. I THINK THIS IS A VERY REAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD CALLED TO LIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT'S A BAD HEATING ELEMENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10186842March 19, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SAAB WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES CUSTOMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WHOLE COST OF REPAIRS*CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE BOOSTER VALVE CAN FAIL PREMATURELY. THE BRAKES WORKED ONLY WITH EXTREME HARD PRESSURE. GOODYEAR INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE PART THAT WAS BEING REPLACED ON THE BRAKES WAS RECALLED. THE MANUFACTURER ONLY REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER $46.00 FOR THE ACTUAL PART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185587March 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 93 SAAB. THE ENGINE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THE STEERING FUNCTION WAS LOST AS WELL. THE ONSTAR INDICATOR READ THAT THE STEERING AND ENGINE WERE MALFUNCTIONING. ON EIGHTEEN OCCASIONS THE SAAB DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ,AND REFUSED TO PURCHASE BACK THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. ON MARCH 16, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND DROVE INTO A CEMENT WALL. AFTER THE RECENT FAILURE SAAB'S DIAGNOSIS WAS TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED WHILE BEING THREE MONTHS PREGNANT. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 57,000. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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