FaultScore

FaultScore report

2003 Saab 9-3 problems

Owners have filed 323 complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-3 with NHTSA between 2002 and 2021. The largest single group is the electrical system. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 13 worst.

F

FaultScore 85/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Saab 9-3.

How this is worked out

The numbers

323

Complaints

19

Crashes reported

6

Fires reported

17

Injuries reported

43,347 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

44%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 100 vs 50 Severity 67 vs 50 Early failure 75 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Saab 9-3. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 67
13% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 75
44% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2003 compares with every other Saab 9-3

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2003 Saab 9-3

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

0 crashes, 5 fires · median 58,508 mi

Suspension 45 13.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 39 12.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 15,500 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 35,000 mi

Brakes 23 7.1%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 32,000 mi

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 36,500 mi

Steering 20 6.2%

5 crashes, 0 fires · median 60,017 mi

Airbags 15 4.6%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 70,000 mi

Lights 13 4.0%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Seat Belts 12 3.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 49,000 mi

Equipment & Accessories 9 2.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 53,075 mi

Tires 9 2.8%

Median failure at 14,200 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 2.8%

Median failure at 15,000 miles

Body & Structure 9 2.8%

Median failure at 32,000 miles

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 1.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 44,000 mi

Seats 4 1.2%

Median failure at 101,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 3 0.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 51,000 mi

Wheels 2 0.6%

Median failure at 94,304 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 0.3%

Median failure at 92,000 miles

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 1 0.3%

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Front 27 30.0%
Automatic Transmission 23 25.6%
Engine 14 15.6%
Coil Springs 8 8.9%
Headlights 7 7.8%
Sun/Moon Roof Assembly 4 4.4%
Front Underhood 4 4.4%
Filler Pipe AND CAP 3 3.3%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 9 3.8%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 29 12.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 36 15.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 52 21.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 54 22.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 33 13.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 19 7.9%
150,000+ miles 8 3.3%

NHTSA crash tests

The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own photographs and star ratings.

These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.

Configuration Overall Front Side Rollover
2003 Saab 9-3 Covertible w/SAB
2003 Saab 9-3 w/SAB

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2002 peak 13 Jan 2021

NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Saab 9-3

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA08026 Opened 22 Dec 2008 Closed 4 Jun 2010 SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.The engineering design and testing data supplied by GM, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in ge...

PE08051 Opened 28 Aug 2008 Closed 23 Dec 2008 SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

ON AUGUST 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-051) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.(NOTE: FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS OF DATA...

EA04008 Opened 19 Mar 2004 Closed 27 Oct 2004 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE STALL

ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-059) TO INVESTIGATE 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IN MODEL YEAR 2003 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDANS WITH 2.0L TURBOCHARGED ENGINES.ON JANUARY 15, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ADVISED ODI THAT GM AND SAAB HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A GLOBAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT TWO DISTINCT ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN APPROXIMATELY 12 THOUSAND SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE REMEDIES FOR BOTH CONDITIONS INVOLVED REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SO...

PE03059 Opened 30 Dec 2003 Closed 19 Mar 2004 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE STALL

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TURBOCHARGED ENGINES WITH TWO DIFFERENT POWER OUTPUTS, 175 HP AND 210 HP.SAAB HAS MODIFIED THE ELECTONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN BOTH ENGINES. IN JANUARY 2003, SAAB DISABLED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) PROTECTION (INTENDED ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) IN SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH 175 HP ENGINES.ACCORDING TO SAAB, DMF PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANMSSION MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHE...

Recalls on the 2003 Saab 9-3

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2007059 4,033 units in Canada

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break.

Recall 2004160 1,368 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

On certain vehicles, the Automatic Tensioning System (ATS) cable in the seatbelt retractor could break, causing webbing spooled out by the user to not retract. With this condition in the event of a vehicle crash, a front seat occupant may receive more severe injuries. Correction: Dealers will replace the seatbelt retractor assemblies.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 168,000 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THIS MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #11103343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Spring Hill, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH TRYING TO ENTER HWY I-75. UPON ROUTINE BRAKING,THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.AFTER I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,THE SECOND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I AM HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALLED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND TAKEN AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10995688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,810 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

STEERING

HIT CONCRETE WALL

NHTSA complaint #10896212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,810 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

HIT CONCRETE WALL

NHTSA complaint #10896212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

STEERING

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

NHTSA complaint #10861627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

NHTSA complaint #10861627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 130,000 miles Altamonte Springs, FL

AIR BAGS

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 AND TURNED IT TO START THE CAR, AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG EXPLODED FOR NO KNOWN REASON. I CALLED GM, THEY TOOK THE CAR TO A GM FACILITY AND INSPECTED IT, AND THEN CAME BACK A WEEK LATER AND SAID THE UNEXPLAINED DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. I FIND THAT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE. THE AIRBAG SHOULD NOT DEPLOY ARBITRARILY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED.

NHTSA complaint #11389024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Harvey, IL

STEERING

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 ST, LANSING, IL 60438 (708) 474-19330) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE COLUMN INTEGRATED MODULE (CIM) NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11297754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Media, PA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11208331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,989 miles Moore, SC

POWER TRAIN

ECU IN CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY FRIED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS MOUNTED FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE OF HEAT SOAK

NHTSA complaint #11156781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Harrisburg, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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?

NHTSA complaint #11128082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,000 miles Fort Lauderdale, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT THIS MORNING.

NHTSA complaint #11103343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Issaquah, WA

AIR BAGS

2003 SAAB. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG INFLATOR SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #11054310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Spring Hill, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 15 - 20 MPH TRYING TO ENTER HWY I-75. UPON ROUTINE BRAKING,THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.AFTER I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME,THE SECOND AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I AM HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALLED BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND TAKEN AWAY.

NHTSA complaint #10995688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winslow, ME

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED BY SAAB IN MARCH 2016 THAT I HAVE TAKATA AIRBAGS INSTALLED AND ARE SUBJECT TO RECALL. IT IS NOW SIX (6) MONTHS SINCE THE NOTIFICATION. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION FROM SAAB. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL SHOULD TAKE PLACE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE I GET KILLED FROM THE AIRBAG INFLATING. SIX MONTHS SHOULD BE MORE THAN ADEQUATE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I ASK THAT SAAB BE COMPELLED TO IMMEDIATELY MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS!

NHTSA complaint #10899863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,810 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

STEERING

HIT CONCRETE WALL

NHTSA complaint #10896212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,810 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

HIT CONCRETE WALL

NHTSA complaint #10896212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westport, CT

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL I DO NOT HAVE A DATE FOR OR MY SAAB AIR BAG RECALL. THIS CLEARLY SENDS A MESSAGE ABOUT GM. "DON'T BUY GM, AND FROM THOSE COMPANIES WHICH PLACE PEOPLE AT RISK OF AIR BAG FAILURE"

NHTSA complaint #10873695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frazier Park, CA

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA complaint #10873508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

STEERING

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

NHTSA complaint #10861627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

NHTSA complaint #10861627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

SUSPENSION

COIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER

NHTSA complaint #10861627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yellow Springs, OH

AIR BAGS

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10860736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Westport, CT

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL...I AM ADVISED THAT THERE IS RISK OF INJURY/DEATH DUE TO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS. ASKING FOR REPAIR ADVISED TODAY 4/4/2016 BY (GENERAL MOTORS) THEY ARE NOT NOW DOING/CANNOT DO SAME. UNACCEPTABLE SAFETY.

NHTSA complaint #10853523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,810 miles Euless, TX Crash 2 injured

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE BECAME STUCK UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE POLICE WAS AT THE SCENE, BUT DID NOT FILE A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ONE DAY AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,810.

NHTSA complaint #10853277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,171 miles Dallas, TX

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENTLY MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,171.

NHTSA complaint #10852905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 87,171 miles Dallas, TX

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND STALLED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENTLY MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,171.

NHTSA complaint #10852905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Waterbury, CT Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10808697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles W. Babylon, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE DIC AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND THE DIC WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND IT TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE MIRRORED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA04008 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 02/23/16*LJ

NHTSA complaint #10794833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 184,000 miles Queens, NY

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. ...UPDATED 01/07/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM THE DRIVEWAY, IT MOVES OUT OF GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT OFTEN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10786615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 184,000 miles Queens, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. ...UPDATED 01/07/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM THE DRIVEWAY, IT MOVES OUT OF GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT OFTEN NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10786615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.