SAAB 9-3 Complaints

1,407 consumer complaints on file.

#764885July 29, 2002
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, WHEELS:RIM
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOTHING, BUT PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. THE RIMS HAVE BENT ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE REAR STRUTS HAD TO BE REPLACED, BRAKE FLUID NEEDED TO BE ADDED AND THE BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED ALL WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE CONCERNIG THE WHEEL RIMS. EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WE ARE FEARFUL THAT THE WHEEL RIMS ARE GOING TO BEND AGAIN. THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS ON THE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE TIRES AS WELL.ALSO THE FUEL TANK IS LINKING FLUID. THIS VEHCILE IS A LEMON. IT LOOKS GOOD, BUT IT IS NOT SAFE.*AK. THE WHEEL PROBLEM HAS CAUSED THE TWO FRONT TIRES TO WEAR OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8009257May 6, 2002
SUSPENSION:FRONT
AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT VERY HARD EVEN AT THE SLIGHTEST TURN.THIS PULLING IS REALLY VIOLENT. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER SUGGESTED CONSUMER TO GET SKINNIER TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#761558May 5, 2002
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
THE REAR VIEW MIIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT MOVE FAR ENOUGHT TO THE LEFT (9 P'CLOCK) TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT SO THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS BLIND SPOT ON CARS MOVING UP TOWARD THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SO I CONCLLUDED THERE I A A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE MIRROR MECHANISM.... I TALKED TO GARY RHINE, THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, AND HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT . I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WHEREIN THE DRIVER'S REAR VIEW MIRROR COULD NOT BE A ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUTWARD SATISFACTORILY... I BELIEVE A RECALL IS APPROPRIATE..........................................................................LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST MANY ITIMES FAILE, SO I CONCLUDE THERE IS A DESIGN FAILURE THIS FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS AS I STARTED TO MIOVE INTO TH E LEFT LANE.. I TALKED TO GARY RHINE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#8007790April 17, 2002
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
TURNED SWITCH TO ON POSITION, VEHICLE STARTED UP AND BACKED INTO A GARAGE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES WHEN STARTING ENGINE, THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS TO BE FULLY DEPRESSED. TOOK TO DEALER AND DEALER STATED CLUTCH DOES NOT HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED TO START VEHICLE. NLM *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#760242April 4, 2002
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THIS IS THE SECOND SAAB, 1993 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACING THAT I HAVE OWNED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#896878September 26, 2001
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH STEERING WENT COMPLETELY OUT, AND CUSTOMER LOST CONTROL. BUT, WAS ABLE TO GET IT OFF ROAD. CONTACT DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#751889September 7, 2001
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I'VE GOT A 2000 SAAB 9-3 AND I WAS HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. INSTEAD MY HEAD GOT KNOCKED AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW, DRIVING MY GLASSES INTO MY FOREHEAD. NOW I'VE GOT A SCAR ACROSS MY FOREHEAD THAT WILL REQUIRE PLASTIC SURGERY. DAMAGE TO THE DOOR WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO WARRANT REPLACEMENT--YET THE AIRBAG DID NOT GO OFF. I BELIEVE EITHER THE SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE OR THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#785473August 23, 2001
WHEELS:RIM, TIRES
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TWO FLAT TIRES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE TIRES AND RIMS WERE DEFECTIVE (MICHELIN PILOT 225/50R16). NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#886307April 19, 2001
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
AT 70MPH IGNITION SWITCH WAS BUMPED, AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#883802March 22, 2001
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
WHEN CHILD PUT KEY IN IGNITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING CLUTCH, VEHICLE STARTED UP, ROLLING BACKWARD .*AK *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#740014January 27, 2001
WHEELS:RIM
IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS THE FUNDAMENTAL RIMS THAT CAME WITH OPTIONAL STEALTH PACKAGE ARE WEAK. THREE RIMS HAVE BENT DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. LOCAL FL DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A DEFECT IN THE RIMS. FACTORY ALARM GOES OFF EVEN WHEN ALARM IS NOT SET. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED AS WELL AS WHEN DRIVING. LOCAL FL DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE THEFT ALARM MESSAGE APPEARS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10006384January 21, 2001
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
WHEN TURNING THE DIAL WHICH CONTROLS THE DIRECTION OF VENTILATION OUTPUT (WINDSHIELD/DASH VENTS/FLOOR VENTS), THE ASSEMBLY INSIDE THE DASHBOARD BREAKS, NOT ALLOWING YOU TO CONTROL VENTILATION OUTPUT. THIS KEEPS THE DRIVER FROM BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD AND SIDE WINDOWS OF FOG. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IT HAS BROKEN, AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***739722
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#734609October 18, 2000
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SKIRT HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES. THE SECOND 2 WERE REPLACEMENTS PROVIDED UNDER WARRANTEE. THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW IN THIS COMPONENT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#872107October 3, 2000
WHEELS:RIM
WHEEL RIMS HAVE BENT IN THE INSIDE FOR UNKNOWN REASONS WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF TIRE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEAELR THAT IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#729460August 29, 2000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE OF THE VEHICLE. A CHILD, KNEELING IN THE PASENGER SEAT (NO ONE ELSE WAS INVEHICLE) TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON, THE CAR STARTED IN REVERSE AND JERK BACKWORDS TROWING THE CHILD FROM THE VEHICLE, HITTING HIM WITH THE PASSENGER DOOR, HITTING THE GARAGE IN WHICH IT WAS HOUSED, AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND INTO ACROSS THE YARD HITTING A TREE AND ENDING UP IN THE BRUSH. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER CONSOLE, WHICH IS ACCESSIBLE FROM ALL FRONT AND REAR SEATS. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE DEALER THE CAR HAS NO SAFETY DEVICE PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR. THERE IS EVIDENTLY NO SAFTEY SWITCH REQUIREING THE CLUTCH TO BE DEPRESSED OR ANY OTHER MEANS OF STOPPING THE CAR FROM STARTING IN GEAR AND TAKING OFF CAUSING UNTHINKABLE DAMAGE TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY. I THOUGHT THERE HAD TO BE A SAFETY SWITCH ON THE CLUTCH FOR CARS BUILT IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THERE IS ANY SUCH REQUIREMENT IN EFFECT. ALSO, IF NO REQUIREMENT IS IN EFFECT, PLEASE ADVISE ME AS TO HOW I CAN HELP TO GET ONE LEGISLATED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHERE ANY CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT CAN REACH OVER TO THE CENTER CONSOLE AND START A SAAB IN REVERSE. THANKS YOU YOUR ASSISTANCE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#720693March 28, 2000
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON TWO OCCASSIONS, IT WAS NECESSARY TO BRING THE SAAB TO A QUICK STOP ON THE FREEWAY. ON 3/25/00, I NEEDED TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP, GOING 65 MPH AND THE CAR SEEMED TO ALMOST SLIDE, NOT GRIPPING THE ROAD. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 25 YEARS, AND HAD TO MAKE EMERGENCY STOPS IN THE PAST, AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. I BELIEVE THE SAAB 9-3'S SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR ABILITY TO STOP IN AN EMERGENCY. ALSO, MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#551011February 22, 2000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
RIGHT FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED. YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#550470January 18, 2000
SEATS
CONSUMER IS NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE RECALL REPAIR (99V-246) DEALERSHIPS DO NOT HAVE PARTS OR KNOWLEDGE OF RECALL. *MJS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#853458December 30, 1999
SUSPENSION, WHEELS:RIM
ALOT OF PLAY IN THE WHEEL CAUSING VEHICLE TO DRIFT FROM LEFT / RIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH . ALSO, THE RIMS SEEM TO BE WEAK. CONTACTED DEALER / MANUFACTURER, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO HELP. *AK *YC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#853492November 30, 1999
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET AT 68 MPH. WHEN DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES CRUISE WOULD NOT DISENGAGE, CAUSING A REAREND ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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