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2003 Saab 9-3Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 212 owner complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-3, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 Saab 9-3
26
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.9× the 9-3 median · #1 of 13 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints21231 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage59kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 20, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Saab 9-3 has problems

212 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system465
Suspension422
Power train321
Engine and engine cooling323
Steering185
Fuel system, gasoline161
Air bags156
Exterior lighting130
Service brakes, hydraulic120
15 other systems817

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2003 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

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 07V-087 · Mar 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles

Risk. OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 05V-236 · May 19, 2005 · 68,654 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 04V-540 · Oct 20, 2004 · 12,249 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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?

59kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 38 electrical system complaints. 82% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
11under 30k miles31under 100k miles7100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 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

2003 Saab 9-3 safety ratings

2003 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
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Saab 9-3, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLEA04008 · closed Oct 27, 2004
    No recall
  2. Front Suspension Coil Spring FractureEA08026 · closed Jun 4, 2010
    No recall
  3. ENGINE STALLPE03059 · closed Mar 19, 2004
    No recall
  4. FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTUREPE08051 · closed Dec 23, 2008
    No recall
In owners' words

What 9-3 owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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?
Complaint 11128082 · Sep 7, 2018 · 85,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10808697 · Dec 7, 2015 · 158,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO LOCK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO MOVE INTO THE ON POSITION. A TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE…
Complaint 10785262 · Oct 22, 2015 · 90,000 miles

Own a 2003 9-3?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.