KnownCarProblems2001 Saab 9-3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical (39% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 7th of 12 9-3 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Saab 9-3 problems
Electrical
23 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. While driving at any speed, the instrument panel stopped functioning and the brake pedal had to be applied with more pressure than normal to stop the vehicle. The failure occurs every time the vehicle is driven. The contact did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to the…
Complete loss of engine power while traveling at 55 MPH on limited access highway in left lane. Loss of power was due to direct ignition cassette failure (electrical failure in engine ignition system).
Fuel system
16 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Nhtsa campaign id # 04v557000 and 06v126000 are recalls which necessitated Saab to inspect the fuel pump brackets. The 2001 Saab 9-3, which I own, was first repaired because the fuel lines were corrupted and caused fuel to pump out into the open on top of the gas tank. This was repaired under warranty and was not…
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. Phone interview update: the complainant smelled fuel odor…
Engine
15 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
At approximately 75,000 miles, driving on the interstate around 70mph, oil light begins flickering. After slowing down to 60 the light stopped flickering and instead stayed on. From the time I was able to slow down to pull off the road a knocking sound could be heard from the engine progressively getting louder. The…
2001 Saab 9-3 turbo-charger failed on start-up on feb. 1, 2005; oil was blown into exhaust system; car was regularly maintained, no prior warning; manufacturer denied coverage because out of 50,000 mile warranty and repair shop done by local shop, not dealer.
Air bags
4 complaints · 7%Tl * the contact owned a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact was involved in a crash and the air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The driver died and a police report was filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The speed was 40-45 MPH. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 09/11/14 the consumer stated the 7…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Saab 9-3 recalls
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on may 12, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Electrical: module
Risk: Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3. An interim letter will be mailed to owners in october 2005, informing them of the condition. Parts are now available and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles in to the dealers to have the idm replaced by letter dated march 13, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on march 14, 2005. Owners should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Air bags
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
Fix: Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began july 30, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain passenger vehicles fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels may not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel line leakage
Summary
On november 19, 2004 gm notified odi of a defect condition that could result in fuel leakage at the fuel pump connections in approximately 17,400 model year (my) 2001 and 2002 saab 9-3 passenger vehicles built at the uusikaupunki, finland assembly plant between may 2000 and july 2002 (gm recall no. 14101, NHTSA recall no. 04v-557).according to gm, plastic fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during the manufacturing process for some of the 9-3 vehicles built at the finland plant.gm indicated that, over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage which, in the presence of an ignition source, couldcause a vehicle fire.the reca
Engine stall/ engine compartment fires
Summary
Odi opened pe05-017 based on 35 reports of alleged engine stalling due to the failure of the idm cassette on the subject vehicles.all complainants reported that the engine shut down suddenly without warning and most reported that the vehicle would not restart.in 3 incidents, the complainants reported smoke and/or fire resulted from the idm failure.during pe05-017, additional failure data was identified as noted in the failure report summary above.the complaint data represents incidents where the complainants alleged a stall or fire.on september 13, 2005, general motors (gm) notified NHTSA of a safety defect on 95,081 my 2000-2002 saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles with 4-cylinder gasoline engines and
Questions about the 2001 Saab 9-3
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Saab 9-3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (23 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 74,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Saab 9-3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 20, 2006 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Saab 9-3?
- It is 7th of 12 9-3 model years by number of complaints, with 59 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.