KnownCarProblems2008 Saab 9-3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 184 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Saab 9-3, most often about the air bags (39% of complaints, typically around 52,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about 9-3 model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2008 Saab 9-3 problems
Air bags
71 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles.
Takata recall: I recently purchased this car; I noted that this vehicle is part of the driver ab recall but can find no information on when the ab will be available for replacement. Can your provide any more information about timing and availability? I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive after viewing how the…
I was informed by gm/Saab phone representative ([phone]) stephanie long that because it is gm's position that the car is safe (and by implication the recall is a mistake), gm will not provide a rental car until parts are available. Gm is obviously playing the odds by deciding that one or two future death claims will…
Engine
68 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Read over the posted problems with Saab 9-3. Three main issues are front coils, fuel gauge, and faulty valves. I have had all three of these issues. Coils replaced 18 months ago (gm would not pay). Gas gauge does not work (gm won't pay). Just had the engine rebuilt to fix the exhaust valve problem (out of luck again).…
While driving vehicle p0008 engine code occurred, car was taken to an independent mechanic, mechanic stated engine code was indicated by camshaft sensor, and could possibly be a worn timing chain. This is a common issue on gm 2.8 and 3.6 engines and gm has issued a tsb to extend the warranty for the timing chain to…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
Read over the posted problems with Saab 9-3. Three main issues are front coils, fuel gauge, and faulty valves. I have had all three of these issues. Coils replaced 18 months ago (gm would not pay). Gas gauge does not work (gm won't pay). Just had the engine rebuilt to fix the exhaust valve problem (out of luck again).…
Recently, while starting the car it started up very rough. A few weeks ago the check engine light also came on and the mechanic told me there was an issue in cylinder 2. We replaced all spark plugs and coils, and the issue did not go away. In addition, the car has also started stalling randomly. Luckily, I haven't…
Electrical
11 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
Recently, while starting the car it started up very rough. A few weeks ago the check engine light also came on and the mechanic told me there was an issue in cylinder 2. We replaced all spark plugs and coils, and the issue did not go away. In addition, the car has also started stalling randomly. Luckily, I haven't…
The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact stated while parked in cold temperatures the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
Transmission
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission.
The engine would not turn over when trying to start the engine from a cold start. If the temperatures would lower close to freezing the car will just crank and never turn over. If I were able to get the car started, once it warmed up, it ran just fine. Reading online, it seems to be a known issue with the 2007 & 2008…
My Saab is a 2008 9-3 aero with a 6 speed automatic transmission. Ever since I bought it in october 2010, when I try to accelerate while already at speed (I.e., passing maneuver) the engine/transmission sputters and does not immediately accelerate. The stuttering makes passing in traffic a risky/dangerous move. I have…
Suspension
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: front.
My 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0t had a similar issue to the Saab's affected by the 2003-2006 warranty extension for the front coil springs. I am in a salt belt state, massachusetts, and my front coil springs failed at 64,500 miles. It was found during a routine inspection. Clearly the design changes made after the 03-06 issue…
Front driver side spring broke while driving. Loud bang and sudden drop in ride height. Some loss of steering control. This is a recalled issue up to 2006, it should be extended to cover 2008 models. This is a serious safety risk.
Seat belts
10 complaints · 5%The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the seat belt retractors for the driver and front passenger seats stopped working. The contact was able to secure the seat belt into the latch; however, when the brakes were applied the passenger and driver moved forward because the seat belt failed to secure…
The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to release when fastened. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14v318000 (seat belts) and stated that the parts needed for the repair were not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable…
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 2%Intake valve issue - car will not start on a cold day and, sometimes at a stop sign /light, will stall - had to two mechanics depict the issue and it is the intake valve issue - many Saab's have reported this issue and nothing was done by gm - I called gm and they said that they are not responsible - this issue has…
Concern 1 as a female it is a safety issue to be stranded in my vehicle, recently what I thought was a battery issue turned out to be a key fob issue. I have been stranded with a well cared for vehicle that has keys that start and get to destination, but have gotten back in my vehicle and the car does not recognize…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Saab 9-3 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on saturn astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on march 1, 2017. Owners may contact saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. Gm's number for this recall is 28810.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured may 31, 2002, to february 15, 2011, 2006-2009 saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured june 7, 2005, to may 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 saturn astra vehicles manufactured april 11, 2007, to july 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on october 6, 2015. Owners may contact saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. Gm's number for this recall is 14222. Note: special coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 saab 9-3 convertible vehicles manufactured july 30, 2003, to february 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to 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
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Reduced brake power-assist
Summary
Saab automobile ab, a subsidiary of general motors corp. (gm), manufactured 12,317 subject vehicles through february 15, 2008, equipped with the high feature v6 turbocharged engine identified by regular production option lp9.a tandem vacuum brake booster assembly provides brake power-assist.the engine is the primary vacuum source to the booster and its effect is amplified by a venturi.under certain conditions, such as a cold engine start or at high altitudes, an electric vacuum pump (evp) supplements engine vacuum.a pressure switch measures brake booster vacuum and commands the evp when to turn on/off.check valves are located at the intake manifold, venturi, and pressure switch. Gm identifie
Questions about the 2008 Saab 9-3
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saab 9-3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (71 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); engine (68 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); fuel system (15 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Saab 9-3 have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 3, 2016 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Saab 9-3?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about 9-3 model year since 2000, with 184 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.