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.
2002 Saab 9-3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 37 owner complaints about the 2002 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 14, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: OSX, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Saab 9-3 has problems
37 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
14Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine and engine cooling
5Power train
4Fuel system, gasoline
3Seat belts
2Air bags
2Fuel/propulsion system
2Equipment
2Seats
77 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 14 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 0 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 4 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 |
| 7 other systems | 7 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2002 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
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
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.
Best & worst years
2002 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
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Saab 9-3 safety ratings
2002 Saab 9-3 Covertible w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 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.
SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.
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…
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
Own a 2002 9-3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.