SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10511930May 14, 2013
SUSPENSION
SAAB 9-3S HAVE WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THE FRONT STRUT SPRINGS BREAKING DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY ROAD GRIT AND PARTICULATE SCRAPING AWAY ANTI-CORROSION PAINT. GM OWNED 100% OF SAAB FROM 2000 THROUGH 2010. GM OFFERED TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS FOR MODEL YEARS 2003-2006, BUT HAS DECLINED TO COVER COSTS FOR 2007 AND BEYOND. MY 2008 9-3 HAS THE FAULTY SPRINGS, AND ONE OF THEM JUST BROKE. REPAIRS COSTS ARE SUBSTANTIAL ($700-$1500) AND THE ISSUE PRESENTS A POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511947May 14, 2013
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SINCE DECEMBER 2012 (6 MONTHS AGO) MY CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING ON A BAD FUEL PUMP INDICATED BY CEL AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS RUN BY AN AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THIS IS FOR AN XWD CAR WHICH HAS A DIFFERENT FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY THAN THE FWD VERSION. THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER BY SAAB PARTS (UNDER WARRANTY BY GM) AND HAS NO EXPECTED DELIVERY DATE. PER MY KNOWLEDGE THERE ARE OVER 75 PEOPLE IN FRONT ME WAITING FOR THE SAME PART. I AM CONCERNED THE FUEL PUMP WILL FAIL DURING POSSIBLE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS SUCH AS HIGH SPEED DRIVING AND MANEUVERING. SAAB PARTS INFORMED ME THAT A TSB HAS BEEN ISSUED IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. HOWEVER I DO NOT SEE IT AVAILABLE ON DOT WEBSITE AND SAAB PARTS IS UNWILLING TO PASS THE INFORMATION ON DIRECTLY TO ME THE CONSUMER. THE AUTHORIZED SERVICE DEPARTMENT ARE UNWILLING TO DO THE FIX STATED IN THE TSB AND REFUSE TO SHOW ME THE TSB OR TELL ME ANY DETAILS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10511970May 14, 2013
SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TWO ITEMS: 1. THE SEATBELT FAILED TO CATCH WHEN PULLED FORWARD AND WOULD UNRAVEL AND NOT RETURN. THE SEATBELT FAILS TO STOP THE PASSENGER SHOULD THERE BE A SUDDEN STOP. 2. BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE SHORTED AND MELTED AT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509534April 25, 2013
SEAT BELTS
MY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER A SEAT BELT RECALL, AND WAS SERVICED IN 2005. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, BUT ACCORDING TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE, IN THIS CASE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505950April 11, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE AERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE RETRACTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V043000 (SEAT BELTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507115April 4, 2013
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT REFUSES TO RETRACT. THE SEAT BELT IS NOW COMPLETELY UNWOUND AND DOES NOT RETRACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505259April 1, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505300April 1, 2013
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT. TOOK IT TO A SAAB DEALER, WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING THAT TURNS OF THE HEADLIGHTS WERE BURNT AND READY TO CATCH FIRE. WAS TOLD THIS WOULD COST ABOUT $1000. DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS NOT ONLY COMMON, BUT EVERY SAAB 9-3 HAS THIS PROBLEM. IF THIS IS SUCH A BAD THING, THEN WHY ARE THERE NO RECALLS AND THIS A CONCERN? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503794March 20, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AS SOON THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503431March 18, 2013
SUSPENSION
HEARD STRANGE NOISES IN FRONT END WHILE TURNING. HAD MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKEN. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL. CONCERNED WITH HOW TO GET THIS HANDLED BEFORE IT BREAKS ENTIRELY AND CAUSES AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502493March 12, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
DRIVING ON TURNPIKE AND CAR HESITATED VERY BADLY AT 1/2 THROTTLE IN 3RD-5TH GEAR AT 50-70MPH. CAR STUTTERED SO BADLY I BACKED OFF THEN ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT COMES ON FOR 10 SECS, GOES OFF AND CAR THEN IN A DRIVING VERY POOR - ALMOST LIKE ITS IN LIMP MODE. I BELIVE IT WAS LIMP HOME MODE. CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS RUNNING ON 3 CYLINDERS WITH A HOSE BLOWN OFF (NOT THAT I KNOW WHAT A HOSE IS !!). I BASICALLY COULDN'T ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE CAR FEELING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL APART. YOU COULD FEEL THE CAR VIBRATING. I DROVE HOME VERY STEADY AT 50 MPH, BEING PASSED BY ALL OTHER VEHICLES. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL SAAB TURBOX 9-3 2.8L V6 AND FAULTY IGNITION COILS. I KNOW OF SCORES OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, WITH ONLY 600 OF THIS MODEL PRODUCED. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NOTES/SAAB-TURBO-X/DEFECT-OF-IGNITION-COIL/104750332952290. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501474March 6, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
VEHICLE STALLED DURING A RIGHT TURN AT SLOW SPEED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500971March 1, 2013
SEAT BELTS
I JUST PURCHASED A SAAB AND I NOTICED I HAVE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT ISSUE SOMEONE ELSE COMPLAINED ABOUT. THE SEAT BELT HAS NO TENSION AND WOULDN'T STOP MY FORWARD MOMENTUM IN AN ACCIDENT. SEARCHING ONLINE I NOTICED THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN SAABS FROM AROUND THIS TIME AND THERE ARE RECALLS ON OTHER YEAR MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499448February 20, 2013
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING A NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SINCE NOVEMBER 2012. FOR THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THE LAST TIME THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR FIND A PROBLEM. TODAY, I AM TOLD THAT I NEED ALL 6 IGNITION COILS REPLACED AS WELL AS ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NECESSARY AND THAT THE DEALER JUST WANTS TO MAKE SOME MONEY. THE CAR SHUDDERS AND VIBRATES LIKE CRAZY, EVEN AT IDLE BUT THIS IS WORSE WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, THE POWER IS MUCH LOWER THAN NORMAL. HAS ANYONE WITH THIS MODEL HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE OR PROBLEM? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496655February 6, 2013
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE HAD MY 2006 SAAB 9-3 IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR AN ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/STABILITY CONTROL FAILURE. EACH TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TELL ME THAT THE COST IS AROUND $385 FOR A HUB ASSEMBLY, NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE TALKED TO MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE WIRE LEADING TO THE WHEEL CORRODES. NOW MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THEY WANT TO PUT IN A REAR HARNESS FOR THE SAME SYSTEM AND WANT TO CHARGE ME $315 JUST FOR THE PART, DOESN'T INCLUDE LABOR. THIS PART HAS BEEN FOUND FOR AROUND $120 ELSEWHERE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS THE CAR ACTS AS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT ANIMAL WHEN IT IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN 40 DEGREES F OR LOWER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496656February 6, 2013
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2006 SAAB 9-3 AERO. MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES. EACH TIME THE DEALERSHIP/OTHER MECHANIC RESETS THE CODES AND TELLS ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS A EVAPORATOR CANISTER PURGE VALVE. THEY TELL ME THAT THE PART COSTS $425. NO LABOR INCLUDED. I HAVE FOUND THIS PART FOR UNDER $45. THIS IS CRAP!!! I HAVE EVEN FOUND TUTORIALS ON HOW TO DO IT, 1 HOUR JOB. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY TWO YEARS AGO. NOW THEY FIND THE PROBLEM? A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS IF YOU ASK ME! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10496254February 3, 2013
AIR BAGS
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2013, I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH DESTROYED THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THE CAR WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. IN SPITE OF THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. TO CONFIRM THAT THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE CAR, THE CAR'S INFORMATION SCREEN DENOTED AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE MESSAGE ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN IF NEEDED. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS IS AN ERROR ON MORE CARS THAN MINE AND THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO FOR ALL 2006 SAAB VEHICLES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10495116January 29, 2013
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME TIGHT AROUND THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BEGAN CHOKING FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT BECOMING TIGHTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,334.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10495004January 28, 2013
ENGINE
THERE HAVE BEEN TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE ALSO SUDDENLY RAN OUT OF GAS TWICE IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS I OWNED IT. AFTER THE FIRST SERVICE AT THE DEALER, THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING CORRECTLY, ALTHOUGH I WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS A PROBLEM OR A REPAIR MADE. THE SECOND INCIDENT OF STALLING OCCURRED TODAY ON THE ON-RAMP OF A BRIDGE WITH NO SHOULDER, ON A CURVE GOING UPHILL, AND NO EXIT FOR TWO MILES OF BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING, WITH NO NOISE OR WARNING. THERE WAS HALF A TANK OF GAS. I COULD NOT GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION OR RESTART THE CAR FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES. I CALLED 911 AND WAITED IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION ON THE RAMP, WITH CARS SPEEDING AROUND THE CURVE, AND MY VEHICLE HALF IN THE LANE. WE WERE FINALLY ABLE TO START UP THE CAR AND IT DROVE SEEMINGLY NORMALLY. I BROUGHT IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM MYSELF ONLINE, AND IT BECAME IMMEDIATELY APPARENT THAT THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP, AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL AND NUMEROUS BULLETINS REGARDING THE NECESSITY OF REPLACING THE FAULTY PARTS TO ENSURE SAFETY. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY SAAB OR THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR. ALL OF MY CONTACT INFORMATION WAS AND IS CORRECT. I WAS NEARLY KILLED TODAY AS A RESULT. I WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS IS TO BE HANDLED. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10492375January 13, 2013
SEAT BELTS
MONTHS AGO, DRIVER'S SEATBELT LIGHT WOULD COME ON, DRIVER WOULD THEN PUSH HARDER ON SEATBELT BUCKLE WHICH WOULD 'CLICK' AGAIN (SECOND TIME) AND SECURE. RECENTLY, DRIVER WOULD CONSCIENTIOUSLY AND PURPOSELY NOTE 'CLICK' IN BUCKLE MECHANISM YET LIGHT WOULD COME ON ANYWAY. DRIVER HAD TO DISENGAGE AND RE CLICK SEATBELT 2-3 TRIES. THIS MORNING, THE METAL COMPONENT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO THE DRIVER'S BUCKLE. DRIVER HAD TO ATTACH SEATBELT RESTRAINT INTO PASSENGER'S BUCKLE. THE ALARM SOUNDED, LIGHT IN DASH INDICATING NO SEATBELT USAGE. DRIVER FEARS SAFETY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS WOULD IMPEDE AIR BAG DEPLOY IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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