KnownCarProblems2003 Saab 9-3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 212 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical (22% of complaints, typically around 60,500 miles). It is the most complained-about 9-3 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Saab 9-3 problems
Electrical
46 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 60,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. While driving 5 MPH under normal dry conditions, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. There is a recall for the electrical system ignition module (recall#06v410000). The manufacturer stated that the recall applied to the 2002-2003 Saab 9-5…
Suspension
42 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
Another front suspension coil spring failure on a Saab 9-3. On returning from a 2 week vacation I started the car in the airport parking lot and heard a clicking / rubbing noise from the front left wheel. I stopped and inspected the wheel and noted rust on the brake rotor and assumed that this was the cause of the…
No events leading to failure. Passenger front spring broke at 71,000 miles. Broke previously at 35,000 miles. Current brake at 71,000, broken spring dug into passenger front tire and prevent the car from steering to the left. Springs were replaced by the dealer after the 35,000 mile failure. Springs and struts were…
Engine
39 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
The consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the ignition module. The repairs worked fine for two weeks, then the problem recurred. The fuel pump was replaced, the fog and head lights would go out once a…
2003 Saab 93 fails to accelerate from a stop in a timely manner. Delay can be as long as 5 seconds before reasonable rate of acceleration is achieved with light or heavy application of the gas pedal. Can occur when turning or in straight line acceleration. Only occurs in very hot weather (phoenix, summer). In normal…
Transmission
32 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, clutch assembly, manual transmission.
Transmission slips constantly. Service center states that the diagnostic is not indicating any issues and all is normal. The incident date was the last time it occurred.
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.
Fuel system
20 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery, carburetor system.
My Saab has had a litany of problems since I have owned the car. It all started with little items. Ignition wouldn't start the car. Head lights burnt out. Dash peeling, door handles discoloring, emergency brake getting stuck and being able to operate my car. Engine warning light because my gas cap wasn't on correct.…
Was driving car smelt fuel pulled over and found gas spraying out from under car by fuel tank no check engine light came on and car ran fine but there was a lot of fuel coming out. Fuel lines had started to come out from fuel pump like reported in the 2001 Saab 93 recall.
Brakes
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc.
My Saab has had a litany of problems since I have owned the car. It all started with little items. Ignition wouldn't start the car. Head lights burnt out. Dash peeling, door handles discoloring, emergency brake getting stuck and being able to operate my car. Engine warning light because my gas cap wasn't on correct.…
: the caller stated, the ignition switch would not start the vehicle. When the vehicle was towed to the dealership, the battery was replaced. However, nothing was done about the rusted wiring to the ignition. The manufacturer was contacted by a letter. The emergency brake was locked and would not release, the horn did…
Steering
18 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: column locking, column, electric power assist system, rack and pinion.
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…
The contact owned a 2003 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering lost power. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall. The driver side tire became stuck under the driver seat without warning. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed. Both the driver and…
Air bags
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Was parked when I turned the key to start the car the passenger side airbag and curtain deployed. No crash no impact no nothing just went off Saab does not want to help!
Airbag malfunction light had come on 4 days prior. I was packed the key was off but still in the ignition. I went to start the car and the side air bags went off.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: If this condition were to occur when minimum stopping distance is required, a crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will install a new redesigned check valve. The recall began on march 17, 2006. Owners should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Certain sport sedan and convertible passenger vehicles were produced with a vacuum pipe check valve for the brake booster that may fail from exposure to elevated temperatures. This could result in sudden loss of power brake assist, usually with little or no warning.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: If the vehicle stalls as a result of this condition, it can be restarted immediately.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine management system. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine management system software may cause engine hesitation or stalling.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: In the event of a crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries.
Fix: Dealers will replace the seat belt retractor assemblies. The recall began on january 24, 2005. Owners should contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Some sport sedans were built with seat belt retractors that were damaged during the manufacturing process. If damaged, over time, the automatic tensioning system (ats) cable in the seat belt retractor could break causing the belt webbing to not retract.
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
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
To date, odi is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.in addition, odi is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.in total, odi is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.odi is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.the engineering design and testing data supplied by gm, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in general, the coil springs that fractured on many subject vehicles did not achieve the expected service
Front suspension coil spring fracture
Summary
On august 28, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe08-051) to investigate alleged front suspension coil spring fractures in certain model year (my) 2003-2004 saab 9-3 vehicles sold or registered in salt belt states.(note: for purposes of this investigation, the salt belt includes connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin).subsequent analysis of data provided by general motors corp. (gm) has LED the agency to expand the scope of this investigation
Engine stall
Summary
On december 30, 2003, odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-059) to investigate 16 complaints alleging engine stall while driving in model year 2003 saab 9-3 sport sedans with 2.0l turbocharged engines.on january 15, 2004, general motors (gm) advised odi that gm and saab had decided to conduct a global customer satisfaction campaign to correct two distinct engine management software conditions that could result in engine stall in approximately 12 thousand saab 9-3 vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.the remedies for both conditions involved reprogramming the engine management software. Gm has stated that neither condition can occur during vehicle acceleration and in both cases
Engine stall
Summary
The subject vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions and turbocharged engines with two different power outputs, 175 hp and 210 hp.saab has modified the electonic control module (ECM) software in the subject vehicles to correct problems that could result in engine stall in both engines. In january 2003, saab disabled the dual mass flywheel (dmf) protection (intended only for manual transmission vehicles) in subject vehicles with 175 hp engines.according to saab, dmf protection in a vehicle with automatic tranmssion may cause the engine to stall when releasing the accelerator pedal when coming to a stop or when the vehicle is coasting. In august 2003, saab revised the ECM software in
Questions about the 2003 Saab 9-3
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saab 9-3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (46 complaints, typically around 60,500 miles); suspension (42 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (39 complaints, typically around 15,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 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 2003 a bad year for the Saab 9-3?
- It is the most complained-about 9-3 model year since 2000, with 212 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.