2002 Saab 9-3

Routine

Owners filed 37 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
63,000 milesMedian miles at failure

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 50,00060,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System8
010
Electrical System › Ignition › Module4
000
Seat Belts3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings2
000
Visibility › Rearview Mirrors/Devices › Exterior1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc1
000
Seats1
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission1
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings07V087000
Filed Mar 7, 200794,377 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Electrical System › Ignition › Module05V399000
Filed Sep 14, 2005103,202 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. 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.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings04V557000
Filed Nov 19, 200417,394 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

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.

Remedy. 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.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly01V314000
Filed Oct 3, 20011,366 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.

Risk. THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Remedy. ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Nov 14, 2023CA

The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 16, 2023CA

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

Seat Belts
Filed Nov 26, 2019184,000 milesTX

TL* 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 CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY RELATED TO 2004-2011 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAYORS SAAB (6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, (718) 274-2300) AND JIM ELLIS AUDI OF MARIETTA (1715 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060-9253, 770-590-4450) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 24, 201671,000 milesFL

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 22, 201565,000 milesNC

TL* 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 FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 22, 2015100,000 milesGA

TL*THE 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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 22, 201595,000 milesGA

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 22, 201492,000 milesFL

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE STARTS FINE ONCE IT START MOVING GOES OFF,THEN I STARTS IT AGAIN,THEN WHEN I STOP IT GOES OFF AND KEEP ON DOING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE IDEA IT WAS COLD,BUT I NOTICED IT DOESN'T MATTER IT DO IT EVERY TIME I STOP AT ANY LIGHT OR STOP SIGN,THEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER NUMBER 1800-9559007 THEY ASKED ME FOR THE VIN # [XXX] THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,THEN I TOLD HER IF MY VEHICLE IS SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THE RECALL DESCRIPTION IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER,BUT SHE TOLD ME THAT UNLESS YOUR VEHICLE GETS ON FIRE OR ACCIDENT THEY CAN'T INCLUDE IT IN ANY RECALLS. THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE REST OF VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS,THEN SHE TOLD ME SHE CHECKED MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER AGAIN AND THAT REPAIR WAS DONE,BUT MY CAR IS JUST GIVING ME THAT PROBLEM CONSTANTLY. WHAT CAN I DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2014169,500 milesNY

MY DIC FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME! I HEAR ITS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Jun 13, 2014139,702 milesWA

I JUST PURCHASED MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 FROM KARZ AND MORE IN LONGVIEW WA. IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE THERMOSTAT AND THE IGNITION COIL PACK WERE BAD. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT JUST ONCE AND THE IGNITION COIL PACK TWICE. CAR IS STILL NOT RUNNING I HAVE DIED ON THE FREEWAY, IN TOWN, TOO MANY TIMES TO EVEN COUNT THE CAR WILL START WITH A JUMP BUT WONT RUN FOR VERY LONG BEFORE IT DIES. FRUSTRATED AND AT MY WITTS END! HAD A FULL DIAGNOSTIC....SHOWED NOTHING NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW THE PROBLEM. ITS RAN ABOUT A WEEK SINCE I HAVE HAD THE CAR UGH! *JS

Latches/Locks/Linkages
Filed Mar 20, 2013117,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AS SOON THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 22, 201198,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 2002 SAAB 93 AND THE DIC CASSETTE ON THOSE CAR ALWAYS GOOD BAD. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE CARS AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T NO SUCH RECALL, THEY DENIED IT BECAUSE THE PARTS IS EXPENSIVE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 23, 201077,199 milesCA

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 FAILED. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 7, 2010123,000 milesMA

1. USE OF HIGH BEAMS 2. IF I DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS NEVER FAIL 6 MONTH TRIAL JUST FINISHED. 3. REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE RELAY AS THIS IS WHAT MY MECHANIC DOES FOR ALL HIS CUSTOMERS WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESULTS. WHEN USING HIGHBEAMS REPLACING 6 BULBS EVERY SIX MONTHS I HAVE REPLACED 14 BULBS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST JAN. 09 MY WIFE'S 2004 SAAB 9-3 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Mar 4, 2009110,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUBBED AGAINST THE OIL PAN AND CUT A 1/4 INCH GROOVE IN THE PAN. HE MOVED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER TO AVOID A MAJOR FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, LOCATED THREE HOURS AWAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 2, 200879,900 milesCA

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 REPLACED -- 6/30/08 (82,903 MI), 3/21/07 (56,231 MI.), 12/15/05 (32,671 MI.), 8/17/04 (18,720MI.). THE REPLACED PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Aug 22, 2007121,000 milesNJ

THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE BODY BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $714. ALSO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED (NON-WARRANTY) AFTER THE IGNITION MODULE (RECALL). AT APPROX. 118,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Aug 16, 200744,510 milesNY

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. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 16, 200750,609 milesNY

MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 50000 MILES ON. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST INDICATED MALFUNCTION BEGAN AT LEAST 5000 MILES PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *JB

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 24, 200760,000 milesNY

TL*THE 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 MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GEARS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED INTO LITTLE PIECES. FOR THREE WEEKS, THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. THE CONTACT IS REQUESTING THAT SAAB PAY THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE AGAIN AND IS PRESENTLY IN THE SHOP. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

20 of 37 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201130400Routine
201030400Routine
200943300Routine
2008184311Fatalities reported
2007155350Routine
2006179330Routine
200595320Routine
2004207620Above average
2003212560Above average
2002 — this page37410Routine
200159411Fatalities reported
200050210Routine
199964300Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every 9-3 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 7, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.