KnownCarProblems2002 Saab 9-3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical (38% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles). It is 10th of 12 9-3 model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2002 Saab 9-3 problems
Electrical
14 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
The Saab 9-3 2002 stalled suddenly while idling on an exit ramp on the highway. The car failed to restart and had to be towed. The ignition module had been replaced 4 years early as part of a prior recall. The car is current at a gas station and the mechanic has diagnosed that the replaced ignition module has again…
The check engine light came on at approximately 79,900 miles. Upon diagnosis by the Saab dealer, they said the ignition cassette was failing. Replacement was necessary as when the part ceased to function the car would not run. This is the fourth time this part has been replaced. : dates the ignition cassette was…
Engine
7 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
: the contact stated the air conditioner and the defroster has been repaired multiple times due to a sensor problem. The engine was replaced a few months ago but the replacement engine was noisy.
On 1/26/07 the water pump of my car was replaced because it was leaking. I have come to realize this is the third time the water pump needed to be changes. It was also changed by the manufacturer/dealer on 11/10/04 & 2/25/03. Hence the car has gone through three water pumps in 44510 miles.
Fuel system
6 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Filled my car with gas on wednesday. Noticed a strong gas odor and quickly dropping fuel level. Took my car to local garage. They identified broken tabs/brackets holding fuel lines. Contacted Saab dealer in dublin about a recall on this item - dealer informed them it didn't apply. I called Saab customer service and…
The contact owns a 2002 Saab 9-3. While in park, there were strong fuel fumes emitting from the exterior of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tab attached to the fuel pump and the fuel lines…
Transmission
5 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual 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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saab 9-3. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate as if the emergency brake was engaged. The contact also heard a grinding noise coming from the vehicle. She was unable to drive more than 20 MPH. When the mechanic attempted to test drive the vehicle, it failed to shift into gear. The…
Other or unspecified
3 complaints · 8%The blower on the air conditioner was not working. In addition I went in twice to have them look at the heating unit or climate control. The third time they replaced it, but it still turns off and sets to zero. Now the heat will come on whereas it didn't before. I recently (last week feb. 16) down shifted in traffic…
Seat belts
3 complaints · 8%Tl contact owns a 2002 Saab 9.3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver's side seat belt cable separated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
The contact owns a 2002 Saab 9-3. When the contact attempted to utilize the seat belt, the retractor failed and would not operate. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that there was a recall placed on certain types of Saab vehicles for the same failure. The contact discovered NHTSA…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 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 june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. 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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: The nut could loosen and fall off resulting in a sudden reduction or loss of steering control.
Fix: All vehicles will be inspected and corrected prior to customer delivery. No owner notification will be required.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The tie rod end retaining nuts may not have been properly tightened at the factory.
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
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 2002 Saab 9-3
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saab 9-3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (14 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles); engine (7 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles); fuel system (6 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Saab 9-3 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 7, 2007 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Saab 9-3?
- It is 10th of 12 9-3 model years by number of complaints, with 37 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.