no report yet
Ignition: module
Risk. OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
2000 Saab 9-3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 50 owner complaints about the 2000 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2000 Saab 9-3 has problems
50 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
23Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
13Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags5 crash/fire/injury
3Seat belts
2Fuel system, gasoline
2Equipment
1Tires
1Vehicle speed control
1Wheels
55 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 1 |
| Air bags | 10 | 5 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 5 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2000 Saab 9-3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saab.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
68kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 20 electrical system complaints. 80% were reported before 100,000 miles.
1under 30k miles16under 100k miles4100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2000 vs. every other 9-3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 9-3 median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2000 Saab 9-3, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 05V-399
In owners' words
What 9-3 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE CODES THAT SHOWED ON THE EMISSION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE IDM CODE, WHICH IS THE…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. IN 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000. THE FAILURE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME, BUT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AS A PRECAUTIONARY REMEDY. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND OFTEN STALL.…
Own a 2000 9-3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.