no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
2001 Saab 9-3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 59 owner complaints about the 2001 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 25, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: DieselFordMondeo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2001 Saab 9-3 has problems
59 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
23Electrical system
14Engine and engine cooling
13Fuel system, gasoline
4Air bags
2Fuel/propulsion system
2Seats
1Seat belts
1Service brakes
1Service brakes, hydraulic
99 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 23 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 14 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 13 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| 9 other systems | 9 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2001 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
Ignition: module
Risk. OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.
no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
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?
62kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 21 electrical system complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles18under 100k miles3100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2001 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
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2001 Saab 9-3, and the recalls they led to.
- ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 05V-399
- FUEL LINE LEAKAGELed to recall 06V-126
In owners' words
What 9-3 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers:…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHILE THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE FAILED AND…
BROUGHT MY 2001 SAAB 9-3 FOR CAMPAIGN RECALL 05V399000 IDM TO DIRITO BROTHERS SAAB OF WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA. DEALER STATED NOT REQUIRED TO CHANGE THE IDM. IF MY IDM FAILS AT A LATER DATE, I COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO INJURY OR DEATH. NEED TO KNOW IF DEALER IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE IDM. *TR
Own a 2001 9-3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.