SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#10184987March 13, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WEDNESDAY MARCH 3, 2007, MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR SPORTS SEDAN (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) WITH 61,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WAITING TO SWITCH FROM RED TO GREEN. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO PROCEED ACROSS THE INTERSECTION. THE INITIALLY ACCELERATED TO 20 MPH AND CEASED TO ACCELERATE. I NOTICED THAT I WAS SLOWING DOWN AND STEERING HAD BECOME HEAVY, I GLANCED AT THE TACHOMETER AND IT SHOWED THAT THE ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WERE FUNCTIONING. I COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START FOR OVER 15 MINUTES. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS RUNNING, ONBOARD DIAGNOSTICS SHOWED OK, BUT THE STARTER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER THE INTERVAL OF NO STARTS, THE CAR STARTED. THE CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND DIAGNOSTIC CODES INDICATED THAT THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. DEALER PROVIDED NO REAL EXPLANATION FOR FAILURE. WITHIN 3 WEEK PERIOD, VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FOR FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT. PRIOR TO THAT REPAIR THE CAR HAD 60K SERVICE PERFORMED ON 12/13/07. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENT ON ALL REPAIRS REQUIRED BY PRIOR RECALLS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10184453March 7, 2007
SEAT BELTS:FRONT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE SEAT BELT ON MY 2001 SAAB 93 WILL NOT WORK. I AM UNABLE TO PULL THE STRAP OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SAAB DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $700.00 TO FIX. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD, NOT ONLY DID THE SEAT BELT STOP WORKING BUT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3200.00. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS SEEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COST AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I THINK THAT SAAB SHOULD REPAIR AT THE VERY LEAST THE SEAT BELT WHICH I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182655February 15, 2007
STEERING
SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR 7/1/06 I HAVE HAD SEVERAL STEERING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR PULLING AND JERKING. I HAVE HAD 2 ALIGNMENTS DONE WHEELS BALANCED AND CALIPERS ADJUSTED. THE CAR PULLED ON MY TEST DRIVE BEFORE PURCHASING THE CAR AND I WAS PROMISED IT WOULD BE RESOLVED. WHEN IT WAS NOT RESOLVED THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO BUY BACK THE CAR. TWO DEALERSHIPS WORKED ON THIS PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION THIS IS STILL A PROBLEM AND I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR STRAIT WITHOUT A FIRM GRIP ON THE STEERING WHEEL. SAAB HAS NOT BEEN HELPFUL AT ALL AND HAS NO SOLUTION AND HAS OFFERED NO HELP. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE CAR CAN JERK UNEXPECTEDLY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182532February 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
GEARBOX MALFUNCTION, INTERMITTENT SHIFTING OR SUDDEN DECELERATION WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL 2006. THE CAR RAN FINE UNTIL AUGUST 2006 WHEN THE FIRST GEARBOX MALFUNCTION LIGHT WAS INDICATED WITH AN INABILITY FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT. SINCE THE FIRST GEARBOX MALFUNCTION THE 2003 93 SAAB HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE (UNDER WARRANTY) SIX TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF 49 DAYS. I HAVE ASKED FOR GM/SAAB TO TAKE/BUY THE CAR BACK. MY CAR WAS IN THE AUTHORIZED SAAB SERVICE GARAGE (PORTLAND SAAB) FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER 2006 WHERE THE ENTIRE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT COLDBROOK SAAB (WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) FOR ANOTHER GEARBOX MALFUNCTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182378February 12, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT I EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2003 9-3. AFTER ABOUT A 40 MILE DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY, I , ALONG WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER, PULLED INTO MY FRIENDS DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD SCRAPPING NOISE FROM BENEATH MY CAR. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE CAR TO FIND THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK STRAP WAS HANGING DOWN AND WAS ONLY 3 OR 4 INCHES FROM THE GROUND. THE FORWARD BOLT HAD LOOSENED COMPLETELY OUT AND THE FUEL PUMP WIRING HARNESS (WHICH ATTACHES TO THE STRAP) IS KEEPING IT FROM BEING EVEN CLOSER TO THE GROUND. ALSO THE TANK ITSELF IS HANGING ABOUT 3 INCHES LOWER ON THE RIGHT SIDE. LUCKILY THE BRACKET FOR THE HARNESS HAD A BOLT RETAINING WASHER BECAUSE THE BOLT WAS STILL THERE, HANGING ON TO THE END OF THE FLOPPING STRAP. MY FRIEND (A MECHANIC BY TRADE) AND I APPLIED LOCTITE TO THE BOLT AND REFASTENED IT. IT APPERED THAT THERE WAS NO VISABLE DAMAGE TO THE TANK, LINE OR WIRING. SCARY PART WAS THAT IT WAS THE FORWARD END HANGING DOWN SO IT COULD HAVE EASILY CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND RIPPED OUT FUEL LINES AND WIRING AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE AND COULD HAVE EASILY STARTED A FIRE RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182244February 11, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 1999 SAAB 9-3 WITH MANUAL CLIMATE CONTROL. THE BLOWER SWITCH WAS ERRATIC FOR A FEW WEEKS (ON/OFF POSITION SHIFTED) BUT LAST NIGHT DURING A SHORT JOURNEY THE BLOWER WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND A BAD ODOR BECAME PRESENT IN THE CABIN. THIS MORNING I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THE BLOWER SWITCH AND WIRING CONNECTOR AND WIRES HAVE MELTED. IT IS LIKELY THAT IF THE JOURNEY HAD BEEN LONGER A FIRE WOULD HAVE RESULTED. THE SWITCH AND CONNECTOR AND WIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE REASON FOR THE BLOWER SWITCH ERRATIC BEHAVIOR NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181910February 7, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING HIS 2006 SAAB 93 (6300 FAILURE MILEAGE) APPROXIMATELY ONE (1) MILE AND STOPPING THE VEHICLE, TURING OFF THE POWER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT "EACH TRIP THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRIVEN MORE THEN TEN (10) MILES IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESTART APPROPRIATELY."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181092January 30, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CLEAR DAY. HIGHWAY TRAVEL. CRUISE CONTROL SET TO 65-70 MPH. 2006 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE 3200 MILES. ENTERED CONSTRUCTION ZONE AND ATTEMPTED TO SLOW/BRAKE AND THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN. CAR CONTINUED AT SET SPEED. SEEMS THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE AND THE CAR WAS FIGHTING TO KEEP THE SPEED UP TO CRUISE CONTROL SETTING. TRUCK AHEAD SLOWED AND I DID NOT. MANEUVERED LEFT TO AVOID TRUCK AND MADE CONTACT WITH A CONSTRUCTION TRAILER. CONTINUED TO AFTER CONTACT. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. PENN DOT CALLED POLICE TO THE CRASH SCENE. CAR WAS TOWED AND THE RETRIEVED BY DEALER. INSURANCE ADJUST, SAAB TECH AND SAAB COLLISION MANAGER PULLED AN ERROR CODE FROM THE DIAGNOSTIC AND VERBALLY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. LATER AFTER THE ADJUSTER LEFT WAS CONTACT BY A REGIONAL DEPARTMENT STATING THAT THE TECH MIS-INTERPRETED THE CODE. SAAB SALES MANAGER HAS NOT RETURNED 5 MESSAGES FOR INFORMATION OF RELEASING US FROM OUR LEASE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180596January 24, 2007
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE DRIVER OF THE 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS DRIVING IN THE LEFT LANE ON MA RTE. 128 SOUTH. HER SON WAS IN A CHILD CARSEAT TIGHTLY BELTED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER SEAT, THE SEAT DIRECTLY BEHIND THE DRIVER. THE SWITCH ON THE BELT BUCKLE WAS SET TO THE "CHILD SEAT" SETTING. THE DRIVER SIGNALED AND BEGAN TO CHANGE LANES TO THE MIDDLE LANE WHICH WAS CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. AS SHE WAS SHIFTING LANES, ANOTHER VEHICLE, A LIGHT-COLORED SEDAN, BEGAN TO MOVE SHARPLY INTO THE MIDDLE LANE FROM THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER WAS FORCED TO SWERVE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE OTHER VEHICLE, AND HER CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD TO THE LEFT AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL IN A FRONT-END COLLISION. THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FORWARD BUT WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT, WHICH HELD HER. HER AIRBAG DID NOT INFLATE. HER SON'S CAR SEAT DID NOT REMAIN IN PLACE, BUT WENT FORWARD AND TIPPED OVER ON ITS SIDE, FACING THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR, SO THAT WHEN THE DRIVER OPENED THE PASSENGER DOOR TO CHECK ON HER SON, AT FIRST SHE COULDN'T SEE HIM, AND SHE HAD TROUBLE EXTRACTING THE CAR SEAT. AN OFF-DUTY FIREMAN STOPPED TO HELP, CUT THE SEAT BELT AND EXTRACTED THE SEAT. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND TREATED FOR WHIPLASH; HER SON DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SUSTAINED INJURY. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURER, AND THE INSURER TOWED THE CAR AND WANTS TO DISPOSE OF IT. WE (THE DRIVER AND HER HUSBAND) CONTACTED SAAB SEVERAL TIMES TO ASK THAT THE VEHICLE BE EXAMINED PRIOR TO DISPOSAL TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE REAR SEAT BELT AND THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG; SAAB WAS UNHELPFUL. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10177490December 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
2001 9-3 ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER. *TS WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, SHE WAS TOLD THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE MODULE WAS NOT THE ONE THAT WOULD BE REPLACED. A FEW MONTHS HAD PASSED AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FROM THE RECALLED PART WHICH HAD A NOTICEABLE CRACK. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULE MAY HAVE SHOWN PROBLEMS IN THE PREVIOUS INSPECTION, BUT THE MODULE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL BASED ON THE SERIAL NUMBER.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176087December 13, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 6, 2006, MY 1999 SAAB 9-3 WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE WHEN I STARTED THE CAR TO WARM IT UP TO TAKE MY FIVE YEAR OLD TO SCHOOL. MY 5 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AS THE CAR WAS WARMING UP. WITHOUT NOTICE OR PROVOCATION THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY 5 YEAR OLDS FACE. THIS VIOLENT EXPLOSION CAUSED A SCRATCH AND REDNESS ON MY DAUGHTERS FACE. UPON SPEAKING WITH SAAB I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING, AND UPON THEIR INSTRUCTION - I TOOK THE CAR THE LOCAL SAAB DEALER, WHO UPON EXAMINING THE CAR SAID THAT THE REASON FOR THIS HAPPENING IS INCONCLUSIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. SAAB IS GIVING US THE RUNAROUND, AND WE NEED SOMEONE TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS INCIDENT. I AM HOPING THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10175491December 7, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED A SEMI TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT HOWEVER, AFTER THE CRASH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AT SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WAS ALSO PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AND NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174368November 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE GAS GAUGE READ JUST OVER 1 BAR OF FUEL REMAINING WHEN A TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE AND GEARBOX MALFUNCTION MESSAGE APPEARED IN THE DISPLAY SCREEN. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. NO ONE WAS INJURED AT THE TIME DUE TO THE LATE HOUR AND THERE BEING NO OTHER TRAFFIC NEAR BY BUT HAD THERE BEEN TRAFFIC AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE MOST LIKELY RESULTED FROM THE FAILURES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173722November 17, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE KNOBS FOR THE HEAT, AIR, AND WHERE THE HEAT AND AIR GOES BREAKS OFF! I HAVE REPLACED EACH ONE ONCE, AND THE COST WAS 135.00. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172376November 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ONLY 35,400 MILES AT FAILURE. HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER WHICH IS REPLACING TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172272October 31, 2006
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ON AUGUST 13, 2006, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE WHEN THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY, BUT THE CAR WAS DESTROYED. INVESTIGATIONS BY INTERNATIONAL MOTORS (FALLS CHURCH, VA) AFTER THE EVENT SHOWED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD DISINTEGRATED AND TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS SPRAYED THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE FIRE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172203October 30, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ABRUPTLY, AT 53,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY, EXCEPT TO CITE VARIOUS "CODES." DEALER SAID THEY DO NOT CHECK THOSE CODES AT THE 45,000 MILE INTERVAL. SAAB REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, EVEN AFTER A POLITE APPEAL. APPARENTLY, SAAB DOESN'T VALUE ME AS A CUSTOMER, AND REFUSES TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE ANY BLAME. ESTIMATED DEALER COST, INCLUDING TAX, IS ABOUT $7,500. I HAVE ALWAYS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED MY SAAB. A TRANSMISSION THAT FAILS AT 53,000 MILES (ON THE HIGHWAY, CREATING A SAFETY ISSUE) ON ITS OWN, WITH NO ADVANCE WARNING, IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE. I AM A 4 TIME SAAB OWNER -- WON'T BE BUYING A SAAB AGAIN, FOR SURE, ALTHOUGH BEFORE THIS INCIDENT I WAS PLANNING TO BUY AN 9-7 IN A COUPLE OF YEARS. IF IT WASN'T SUCH A HASSLE, I WOULD FILE A LAWSUIT -- AMONG OTHER THINGS, I AM SURE THAT THIS DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AT 50,000 MILES, JUST AS IT OBVIOUSLY WAS AT 53,000. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172038October 28, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE COMPUTER BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. VEHICLE COMPUTER NO LONGER WORKS. SHOWS ODD DATA ON DISPLAY SCREEN LOCKS MAY NOT WORK. WINDOW MAY NOT WORK CAUSING A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. UNABLE TO TELL WHETHER AIRBAGS WOULD BE AFFECTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171588October 23, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT NORMAL SPEED THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME VEHICLE HAS QUIT WHILE DRIVING. PREVIOUS 2 TIMES DEALERSHIP HAS CHECKED VEHICLE AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171636October 23, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE FAILURE. RESULTED IN COLLISION. DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED FAILED BRAKE COMPONENTS AND REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, ABS MANIFOLD, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. CLAIM WAS MADE TO SAAB/GM, CLAIM# 513166, AND WARRANTY COVERED THE BRAKE REPAIRS. THEY SETTLED IN FULL FOR THE SUBSTITUTE TRANSPORTATION AND COLLISION DEDUCTIBLE BUT ONLY OFFERED A PERCENTAGE OF THE INSURER'S COLLISION REPAIR PAYMENTS. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ADVERSE POLICY RATING FOR THE COMMERCIAL ACCOUNT. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to SAAB 9-3