2003 Saab 9-3 problems and complaints
Owners have filed 214 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3. The most-reported areas: Electrical System (46), Suspension (42), Engine And Engine Cooling (33).
Key takeaways
- 214 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 12 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 17 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 | 21% |
| Suspension | 42 | 20% |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 33 | 15% |
| Power Train | 32 | 15% |
| Steering | 19 | 9% |
| Fuel System | 18 | 8% |
| Gasoline | 16 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 15 | 7% |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 7% |
| Exterior Lighting | 13 | 6% |
| Equipment | 13 | 6% |
| Seat Belts | 12 | 6% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Saab 9-3 Covertible w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
| 2003 Saab 9-3 w/SAB | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Air Bags - filed 2021-01-20
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE TO THE NEARBY PUBLIX SUPERMARKET. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT. I PARKED IT IN THE LOT WITH THE TOP DOWN AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. IT WAS A WARM DRY DAY IN FLORIDA ABOUT 85 DEGREES. I CAME OUT AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AN...
Steering - filed 2020-01-07
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE KEY FOB IN THE IGNITION, THE POWER STEERING WHEEL LOCK MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANUALLY TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO THE LEFT TO RIGHT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FLIKKEMA SAAB (2424 176TH ...
Engine - filed 2019-05-17
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING AT WILL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WHEN DRIVING UP A HILL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
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More for the 2003 Saab 9-3
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.