2002 Saab 9-3

37 complaints on file, page 1 of 2.

1. Filed Nov 14, 2023Failure Sep 1, 2023Auburn, CAEngine, Unknown or other

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

   NHTSA complaint 11554987
2. Filed Feb 16, 2023Failure Feb 11, 2023Auburn, CAElectrical system, Unknown or other

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

   NHTSA complaint 11507579
3. Filed Nov 26, 2019Failure Nov 24, 2019184,000 milesFrisco, TXSeat belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11282500
4. Filed Feb 24, 2016Failure Feb 8, 201671,000 milesDelray Beach, FLElectrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Steering

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

   NHTSA complaint 10838086
5. Filed Sep 22, 2015Failure Sep 17, 201565,000 milesMount Airy, NCFuel/propulsion system

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10767290
6. Filed Jan 22, 2015Failure Jan 5, 201595,000 milesMarietta, GASeat belts

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

   NHTSA complaint 10678242
7. Filed Jan 22, 2015Failure Jan 3, 2015100,000 milesMarietta, GASeat belts

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 10678241
8. Filed Dec 22, 2014Failure Dec 15, 201492,000 milesMiami Gardens, FLFuel system, Gasoline

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10667622
9. Filed Jun 13, 2014Failure Nov 30, 2012139,702 milesKelso, WAElectrical system

   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

   NHTSA complaint 10598054
10. Filed Jun 13, 2014Failure Jun 11, 2014169,500 milesMiddle Island, NYElectrical system

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

    NHTSA complaint 10598027
11. Filed Mar 20, 2013Failure Oct 20, 2012117,000 milesTownshend, VTLatches/locks/linkages

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 10503794
12. Filed Jun 22, 2011Failure Apr 1, 201198,000 milesRoosevelt, NYElectrical system, Radio/tape deck/cd etc.

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10408441
13. Filed Oct 23, 2010Failure Oct 22, 201077,199 milesLOS Angeles, CAElectrical system

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10361921
14. Filed Apr 7, 2010Failure Apr 6, 2010123,000 milesHaverhill, MAExterior lighting

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10324384
15. Filed Mar 4, 2009Failure Jan 5, 2009110,000 milesMarquette, MICatalytic convertor

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10260669
16. Filed Jul 2, 2008Failure May 7, 200879,900 milesSAN Clemente, CAElectrical system

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10233062
17. Filed Aug 22, 2007Failure Aug 12, 2007121,000 milesOrdell, NJModule, Catalytic convertor, Automatic transmission

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10200472
18. Filed Aug 16, 2007Failure Jan 7, 200744,510 milesYorktown Heights, NYEngine

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10199804
19. Filed Aug 16, 2007Failure Jun 4, 200750,609 milesYorktown Heights, NYAutomatic transmission

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10199800
20. Filed Jul 24, 2007Failure Jul 2, 200760,000 milesDerby, NYAutomatic transmission

    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

    NHTSA complaint 10197352