SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10126466June 24, 2005
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT AND NO IMPACT ROLL BARS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT AND NO IMPACT/CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS NOT DOWN. BARND NEW SAAB 9.3 CAR TOWED TO DEALER/CORPORATE HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY OWNER OF CAR/NO RESPONSE FROM CARPORATE FOR ONE WEEK. CAR STILL AT DEALER WITH NO ANSWERS OR REASONS FOR DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS AND ROLLBARS. POLICE TOWED VEHICLE/NO REPORT/NO ACCIDENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10125939June 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM, PARKING BRAKE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
MY SAAB HAS HAD A LITANY OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH LITTLE ITEMS. IGNITION WOULDN'T START THE CAR. HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT. DASH PEELING, DOOR HANDLES DISCOLORING, EMERGENCY BRAKE GETTING STUCK AND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MY CAR. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON CORRECT. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEEL LOCK LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RETRO FIT. SEAT BELTS BEING RECALLED. COMPUTER CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SO THE CAR WOULD FUNCTION. ELECTRONIC KEY FAILING SO I COULDN'T START MY CAR. MY CAR IS A 5 SPEED AND THE SHIFTER HANDLE HAS AN CONTINUES TO COME OFF IN MY HAND. A MINIMUM OF 3 FUSES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE DASH BOARD GOES BLANK AT TIMES SHOWING NO FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. WINDOW WOULDN'T GO UP OR DOWN AND REQUIRED THE REGULATOR TO BE REPLACED. ERRACTIC IDLE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT, DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY. BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND ROTORS TOO.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10124371June 6, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE IN ENGINE. TOLD BY WARRANTY COMPANY WARRANTY VOIDED DUE TO SLUDGE IN ENGINE. MONTHS LATER SAAB SEND OUT NOTICE STATING ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO SLUDGE, EXTENDS WARRANTY AND STILL DENIES CLAIM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122575May 31, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DT: FUEL LINE CAME LOOSE ON THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED GAS AND STOPPED LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND GAS WAS POURING OUT ONTO THE GROUND. TURN ED CAR OFF, CRANKED IT UP AGAIN, AND WAS LEAKING EVERYWHERE. HAD TOWED TO DEALER, AND LINE HAD COME LOOSE AT THE CLAMP. CONNECTED THE LINE WITH NEW CLAMP AT THE COST OF $ *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121661May 20, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY FROM SYRACUSE TO CORTLAND TO NEW YORK WHEN ABOUT QUARTER WAY THEIR MY CAR SHUT DOWN RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS A BAD DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY. APPARENTLY THE SAME PART HAS BEEN USED AND FAILING FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS TO THIS DATE. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE DIC REPLACEMENT IT COST ME $500.00 FOR 5 SEC. OF TIME. WHEN I TOLD THE MECHANICS ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY LAUGHED AND SAID THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS AND THAT IT HAD BEEN FAILING FOR YEARS AND THEY MAKE GOOD MONEY OFF OF THE PART AND THIS IS THE SAME THING I AM HEARING FROM OTHER SAAB 9-3 DRIVERS. I THEN PROCEEDED TO RESPOND TO SAAB CORPORATION WITH WHICH THEY WOULD NEITHER REIMBURSE ME FOR THEIR PART FAILURE AND THEY AVOIDED MY QUESTIONS ABOUT THIIS TYPICAL FAILURE AND HOW IT FAILED. I WOULD LIKE TO QUIT BEING AVOIDED AND GET SOME ACTION OR RESPONSE FROM THIS CORPORATION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121185May 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
DASH INFORMATION DISPLAY PIXELS BURN OUT/DISAPPEAR. WHILE ANNOYING FOR TIME AND RADIO DISPLAY, THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AS THIS DISPLAY REPORTS TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE (IN ICY CONDITIONS) AND MECHANICAL/FUNCTIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. IF THE DISPLAY IS ILLEGIBLE A DRIVER COULD MISINTERPRET A PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120254May 9, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DT: 5/4/05, CAR WAS AT DEALER5 FOR REGULARLY MAINTENANCE. DEALER REPORTED REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO OPERATE. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT SAAB HAD A HISTORY OF BRAKES DETERIORATING AT LOW MILES. CALLER COMPLAINED ABOUT SAAB, DEALER COULD NOT OFFER ANY HELP. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE, WHICH WAS IS REGULARLY SERVICED, AND RECORDS WERE AVAILABLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10119420May 3, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2001 SAAB 9-3 AND WISH TO ALERT YOU TO A PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. A DISCUSSION ON WWW.SAABNET.COM INFORMED ME THAT THE FAILURE RATE OF THIS PART IS APPARENTLY 100%. THE DI CASSETTE CAN GO AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SUDDENLY STOP IN TRAFFIC. IT HAPPENED TO ME ON A RAINY DAY AS I WAS TAKING MY ELDERLY MOTHER TO HER DOCTOR. SHE HAD HAD HIP REPLACEMENT AND SPINAL SURGERY, AND HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY GETTING INTO THE TOW TRUCK CAB. (SHE DIED TWO MONTHS LATER, NOT RELATED TO THIS INCIDENT- BUT SHE WAS FRAIL). MY CAR'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND IT COST $600 TO HAVE TO DI CASSETTE REPLACED, NOT COUNTING TOWING EXPENSES AND OTHER HARDSHIP. APPARENTLY SAAB KNOWS THIS IS A DEFECT, AND IT IS POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK WAITING TO HAPPEN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118621April 28, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED MY SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE THE DIGITAL COMPASS ALWAYS READS NORTH AND CALIBRATED. WENT IN FOR SERVICE AND DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT FIX IT. THEY ADVISED ME THE SAAB REPRESENTATIVE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND ALL OF THE CONVERTIBLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SECONDARY TO A MAGNETIC FIELD CREATED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118515April 26, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE PADS WORE THROUGH AND ROTORS WERE DAMAGED ON THE FRONT END. NO INDICATION OF BRAKE WEAR FROM DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT REGULAR SERVICE INTERVALS. SAAB HAS A LONG APPROXIMATELY 15,000 ENGINE SERVICE INTERVAL. CONSEQUENTLY BRAKES MAY ONLY BE INSPECTED EVERY 15,000 MILES. NEITHER DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER CAN ADVISE CUSTOMER OF WHEN BRAKE PADS SHOULD BE REPLACED. CUSTOMER HAS NO AVENUE TO RECEIVE ADVICE REGARDING BRAKE WEAR AND REPLACEMENT. ULITMATELY PADS ARE WORN OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING, AND ROTORS ARE DAMAGED, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE. ALL PARTS ARE REPLACED AT A COST TO THE CONSUMER OF $800.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10115848April 25, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UP TO 80 MPH BEFORE THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REACH DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND LIFT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BY HAND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CARPET CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO STICK. *AK THE CONSUMER DID NOT AGREE WITH THE DEALERS EVALUATION. THE CONSUMER LIFTED THE ACCELERATOR OFF OF THE FLOOR AND INDICATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE HAD TO REMOVE THE CARPET FIRST IF IT WAS IN THE WAY. ONLY THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. *JB *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118050April 18, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CAR LOST POWER, INCLUDING ELECTRICITY AND POWER STEERING. WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR, BUT SHUT DOWN AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117991April 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2000 SAAB 9-3 AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON THE H-3 ENROUTE TO KANEOHE, HI. ON THE DOWN HILL SIDE, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. NOTHING ON THE SID OR OTHER INSTRUMENTATION. THE CAR HAD PLENTY OF FUEL. SHE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART SEVERAL TIMES. SINCE SHE WAS COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN, SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER. THE NEXT DAY THEY ASCERTAINED THE PROBLEM TO BE FAILURE OF THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. COST FOR REPLACEMENT WAS $647.79. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED DUE TO RAW FUEL BEING DUMPED THROUGH THE EXHAUST AFTER THE DI CARTRIDGE FAILED. THE CONVERTER WAS EVENTUALLY REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY AFTER AN EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE AND TELEPHONE EXCHANGE WITH SAAB USA. THE CAR HAD 69,779 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS EVENT OCCURRED. I STILL DRIVE THE CAR (105,000 MILES), BUT CARRY A SPARE DI CASSETTE JUST IN CASE IT SHOULD FAIL AGAIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118904April 15, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATED AND STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO DID NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO, CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10118876April 14, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. CONSUMER BUT MANAGED TO PULL VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117543April 4, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, BACK OVER PREVENTION:WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR, STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR HAS PROBLEMS WITH SUNROOF, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT, ALARM SYSTEM, GAS CAP, SIDE VIEW MIRRORS AND THE BOARD COMPUTER. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE ONBOARD COMPUTER COULD NOT BE FIXED AFTER 3 SERVICE VISITS, UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER. THE GAS CAP WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY, THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WOULD ADJUST THEMSELVES AFTER THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CD PLAYER MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. THE FRONT SPOILER IS FALLING APART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10117374April 4, 2005
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN ACCELERATING FROM 55 TO 65 MPH IN THE PASSING LANE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UP TO 90 MPH. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD TO REDUCE THE SPEED DOWN TO 70 MPH, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATES UP TO 95 MPH. CONSUMER REAPPLIED THE BRAKES AND GOT THE VEHICLE DOWN TO 10 MPH WHEN HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. A FIRE HAS TEMPORARY DEVELOP IN BOTH FRONT WHEELS AND EXTINGUISH ITSELF WITHIN 5 MINUTES. CONSUMER GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. DEALER IS REPLACED THE COMPLETE BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116370April 4, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE GSP DURING THE EVENING RUSH HOUR (5PM OR SO) IN THE LEFT LANE ON THE EXPRESS SIDE. PICKUP TRUCK APPROXIMATELY 4 FT OFF MY REAR BUMPER(NJ YOU KNOW). HEAVY RAIN. MY 2000 SAAB 9-3 VIGGEN JUST SHUT OFF.NO WARNING. NO POWER TO GET TO APPROPRIATE SHOULDER SO I HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR OFF THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO THE MUD. AFTER BEING TOWED TO DEALER I GOT THE CAR BACK THE NEXT DAY. DI CASSETTE FAILURE WAS THE DIAGNOSIS.COME TO FIND OUT, THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB DI CASSETTES. ONE DAY LATER, CAR BACK IN SHOP FOR 4 DAYS. DEALER NEEDED TO REPLACE CATALYTIC CONVERTOR DUE TO NO ENGINE POWER. CATALYTIC CONVERTOR FAILURE A DIRECT RESULT OF DI FAILURE. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIG PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS TO SOME LITTLE OLD LADY, IT'S DEFINITELY A PROBLEM AT SPEED. WITH THE ADVANCED ON BOARD DIAGNOSTICS AND INFORMATION DISPLAYS, THERE IS NO WAY THIS SHOULD HAPPEN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116082March 30, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE HAD BURNT OUT SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE MODULE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY, BUT SLOW TRAFFIC. THE MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE CAR IS RUNNING. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, SO THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT IS SURPRISING AND DISCONCERTING. I HAVE LITTLE FAITH THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, WITHOUT ANY WARNING.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113282March 30, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
WHILE STOPPED THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE: THE COMPLAINANT SMELLED FUEL ODOR AND SAW A TRAIL OF LEAKED FUEL BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AND NO NOTICABLE LOSS OF VEHICLE PERFORMANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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