2003 Saab 9-3

Above average

Owners filed 212 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
49,000 milesMedian miles at failure

167 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 010,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System29
020
Suspension › Front26
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission19
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine12
100
Air Bags12
206
Engine and Engine Cooling9
100
Steering8
406
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs7
000
Engine6
000
Tires4
001

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump11E009000
Filed Feb 28, 20114,887 vehiclesTi Group Automotive Systems, Llc

Defect. TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Risk. A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy. TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings05V236000
Filed May 19, 200568,654 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Engine and Engine Cooling04V540000
Filed Oct 20, 200412,249 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.

Risk. IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor04V226000
Filed May 11, 200431,335 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 20, 2021130,000 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE TO THE NEARBY PUBLIX SUPERMARKET. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. I PARKED IT IN THE LOT WITH THE TOP DOWN AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. IT WAS A WARM DRY DAY IN FLORIDA ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CAME OUT AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND TURNED IT TO START THE CAR, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM FACILITY AND INSPECTED IT, AND THEN CAME BACK A WEEK LATER AND SAID THE UNEXPLAINED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I FIND THAT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY ARBITRARILY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED.

Steering
Filed Jan 7, 2020130,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANUALLY TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LEFT TO RIGHT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLIKKEMA SAAB (2424 176TH ST, LANSING, IL 60438 (708) 474-19330) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COLUMN INTEGRATED MODULE (CIM) NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Engine
Filed May 17, 2019102,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT WILL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Power Train
Filed Dec 7, 201899,989 milesSC

ECU IN CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY FRIED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS MOUNTED FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE OF HEAT SOAK

Electrical System
Filed Sep 7, 201885,000 milesPA

I AM RECEIVING AN ONSTAR NOT AVAILABLE ERROR - THERE WAS A RECALL 08089-B PART # 10027804 - I WANT MY ONSTAR DISABLED. WHO DO I CONTACT?

Air Bags1 injured
Filed Jun 22, 2018168,000 milesFL

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THIS MORNING.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 3, 2018WA

2003 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 17, 2017180,000 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH TRYING TO ENTER HWY I-75. UPON ROUTINE BRAKING,THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.AFTER I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,THE SECOND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I AM HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALLED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND TAKEN AWAY.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 31, 2016ME

TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED BY SAAB IN MARCH 2016 THAT I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL. IT IS NOW SIX (6) MONTHS SINCE THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM SAAB. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL SHOULD TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE I GET KILLED FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATING. SIX MONTHS SHOULD BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I ASK THAT SAAB BE COMPELLED TO IMMEDIATELY MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS!

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 16, 201671,810 milesTX

HIT CONCRETE WALL

Air Bags
Filed Jun 10, 2016CT

TAKATA RECALL I DO NOT HAVE A DATE FOR OR MY SAAB AIR BAG RECALL. THIS CLEARLY SENDS A MESSAGE ABOUT GM. "DON'T BUY GM, AND FROM THOSE COMPANIES WHICH PLACE PEOPLE AT RISK OF AIR BAG FAILURE"

Air Bags
Filed Jun 9, 2016CA

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 27, 201670,000 milesTX

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

Air Bags
Filed Apr 21, 2016OH

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Air Bags
Filed Apr 5, 2016CT

TAKATA RECALL...I AM ADVISED THAT THERE IS RISK OF INJURY/DEATH DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. ASKING FOR REPAIR ADVISED TODAY 4/4/2016 BY (GENERAL MOTORS) THEY ARE NOT NOW DOING/CANNOT DO SAME. UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY.

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Apr 4, 201671,810 milesTX

TL* 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 PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE WAS AT THE SCENE, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ONE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,810.

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 1, 201687,171 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENTLY MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,171.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 7, 2015158,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT. THERE WERE NO FLAMES VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Nov 19, 201545,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DIC AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE DIC WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIRRORED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04008 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ *CN

Engine
Filed Oct 28, 2015184,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. ...UPDATED 01/07/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM THE DRIVEWAY, IT MOVES OUT OF GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT OFTEN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. *JS

20 of 212 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201130400Routine
201030400Routine
200943300Routine
2008184311Fatalities reported
2007155350Routine
2006179330Routine
200595320Routine
2004207620Above average
2003 — this page212560Above average
200237410Routine
200159411Fatalities reported
200050210Routine
199964300Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every 9-3 year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

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: Feb 28, 2011. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.