Owners have filed 218 complaints
about the 2008 Saab 9-3 with NHTSA between 2008 and 2026.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 13 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 84
Against the median year of the Saab 9-3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 36
6.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 24
14% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
32.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
42.9%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
42.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
2417.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
2316.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4029.2%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
3223.4%
150,000+ miles
75.1%
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.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible w/SAB
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—
—
—
2008 Saab 9-3 4-DR w/SAB
—
—
—
12.1% risk
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.
Sep 2008peak 13Jun 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 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.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
PE08005Opened 28 Jan 2008Closed 3 Jun 2008SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
REDUCED BRAKE POWER-ASSIST
SAAB AUTOMOBILE AB, A SUBSIDIARY OF GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM), MANUFACTURED 12,317 SUBJECT VEHICLES THROUGH FEBRUARY 15, 2008, EQUIPPED WITH THE HIGH FEATURE V6 TURBOCHARGED ENGINE IDENTIFIED BY REGULAR PRODUCTION OPTION LP9.A TANDEM VACUUM BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY PROVIDES BRAKE POWER-ASSIST.THE ENGINE IS THE PRIMARY VACUUM SOURCE TO THE BOOSTER AND ITS EFFECT IS AMPLIFIED BY A VENTURI.UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS A COLD ENGINE START OR AT HIGH ALTITUDES, AN ELECTRIC VACUUM PUMP (EVP) SUPPLEMENTS ENGINE VACUUM.A PRESSURE SWITCH MEASURES BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM AND COMMANDS THE EVP WHEN TO TUR...
Recalls on the 2008 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.
United States — NHTSA
16V063000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
14V318000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Risk: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
11E009000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
Risk: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201605217,962 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver airbag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and replace the driver airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles.
Recall 2014228961 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain convertible model vehicles, the tensioning cable in the driver's seat belt retractor may break, causing the belt to fail to retract. If a crash were to occur with a seat belt in this condition, it could increase the risk of injury to the driver. Correction: Dealers will replace seat belt retractor assemblies.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 74,653 milesAvon, CO1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ACCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER HEADLIGHT LOW-BEAM FAILED.WAS TOLD AND SHOWN A MELTED HEADLIGHT MODULE THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT. THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. AS WERE OTHER CRASH INVOLVED PARTS
NHTSA complaint #11099428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesLexington, KYCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER SEAT-BELT IS NOT RETRACTING, AND OPERATED DEFECTIVELY SIMILAR TO RECALLED SAAB CONVERTIBLES AND OTHER RECALLED GM MODELS. DRIVER THEREFORE HAS NO WORKING SEATBELT AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. GM INSTALLED THE DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE 2015.
NHTSA complaint #10937189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesLexington, KYCrash
SUSPENSION
BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING, SNAPPED IN HALF, AND DISLOCATED FROM VEHICLE, 6 MONTHS APART. WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SPRING SNAPPED IN TWO. HAD NO FOREWARNING, BEFORE IT EXPLODED APART. THE PASSENGER-SIDE COIL-SPRING SNAPPED OFF THE VEHICLE, IN TWO+ PLACES, AND WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY. METAL SHOWED A CLEAR SNAP. THE METAL APPEARED CORRODED AND AS IF THE METAL WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK LONG-TERM. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT-COIL-SPRING SNAPPED AND DISLODGED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER, AND WHEN THE FAILED PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY, IT SHOWED THE SAME CLEAR SNAP LINES, AS ITS PREDECESSOR. BOTH INSTANCES CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH SUB-PAR METALLOIDS THAT LIKELY WILL KILL SOMEONE IF THEY ARE TRAVELING FAST. PLEASE RECALL AS ITS THE SAME DEFECT THAT APPEARS IN 2003 - 2006 SAAB MODELS. IN 2010, GENERAL MOTORS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ABOUT 66,000 2003 - 2006 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING FRONT SPRINGS THAT BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FOR SAAB 9-3 MODELS, BUT IS NOT COVERED BY GM SPECIAL COVERAGE #15917 BECAUSE THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO 2003-2006 VEHICLES. HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2010/04/02/PROBLEMS-SPRING-UP-FOR-2003-6-SAAB-9-3S/?_R=0.
NHTSA complaint #10937191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesLexington, KYCrash
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING, SNAPPED IN HALF, AND DISLOCATED FROM VEHICLE, 6 MONTHS APART. WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SPRING SNAPPED IN TWO. HAD NO FOREWARNING, BEFORE IT EXPLODED APART. THE PASSENGER-SIDE COIL-SPRING SNAPPED OFF THE VEHICLE, IN TWO+ PLACES, AND WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY. METAL SHOWED A CLEAR SNAP. THE METAL APPEARED CORRODED AND AS IF THE METAL WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK LONG-TERM. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT-COIL-SPRING SNAPPED AND DISLODGED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER, AND WHEN THE FAILED PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY, IT SHOWED THE SAME CLEAR SNAP LINES, AS ITS PREDECESSOR. BOTH INSTANCES CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH SUB-PAR METALLOIDS THAT LIKELY WILL KILL SOMEONE IF THEY ARE TRAVELING FAST. PLEASE RECALL AS ITS THE SAME DEFECT THAT APPEARS IN 2003 - 2006 SAAB MODELS. IN 2010, GENERAL MOTORS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ABOUT 66,000 2003 - 2006 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING FRONT SPRINGS THAT BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FOR SAAB 9-3 MODELS, BUT IS NOT COVERED BY GM SPECIAL COVERAGE #15917 BECAUSE THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO 2003-2006 VEHICLES. HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2010/04/02/PROBLEMS-SPRING-UP-FOR-2003-6-SAAB-9-3S/?_R=0.
NHTSA complaint #10937191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesOakland, CACrash
ENGINE
THE ENGINE LOST TOTAL COMPRESSION DUE TO WHAT THE MECHANIC SAID WAS A WELL-DOCUMENTED CASE OF INTAKE VALVE FAILURE, HAPPENED IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE I WAS IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY, THE CAR STOPPED, AND THE CAR WAS GRAZED FROM BEHIND. NOT MUCH OF A PROBLEM DUE TO DAMAGE, JUST A QUICK RE-PAINT OF THE BACK BUMPER, AND PAID OUT OF POCKET. THE ENGINE WAS GONE. THE SAAB SPECIALIST TOLD ME THAT SO MANY 9-3'S,ESPECIALLY ON THE EAST COAST, HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL INTAKE VALVE FAILURE LIKE MINE. I CONTACTED SAAB AND THEY ESSENTIALLY SAID TO GO SCREW MYSELF. SAAB AND A SUBSEQUENT CALL TO GM CLAIMED THEY HAD "NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUE" WHICH MY MECHANIC SPECIALIST SAID WAS A "BOLD LIE" BECAUSE THERE'S AN ONLINE HISTORY OF THIS THAT I FOUND, AND THEY DENIED ME ANY HELP IN GETTING IT FIXED. SINCE THE CAR WAS WORTH MORE THAN THE $2,900 COST I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE ENGINE REBUILT, WITH THE SAME FAULTY VALVES THAT WILL CAUSE SOMEONE ELSE TROUBLE LATER AS I TRADED IN MY CAR, I DECIDED TO REPAIR IT, AND THEN GET $1,200 MORE OUT OF IT ONCE I TRADED IN MY CAR. YOU NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS. IT IS NOT FAIR TO OWNERS WHO ARE OUT OF POCKET. THERE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH MY INCIDENT. IF THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD NOT BEEN AWARE ONCE THE FREEWAY STARTED MOVING AGAIN, I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT. SAAB AND GM DENY THIS, YET SEARCH GOOGLE---"INTAKE VALVE PROBLEMS SAAB 9-3" AND YOU'LL SEE FOR YOURSELF. MAKE GM PAY FOR THIS. PEOPLE HAVE LOST A TON OF MONEY ON DEPRECIATION ALONE, AND NOW THE ENGINES FAIL, ALMOST ALL OF THEM,ACCORDING TO THE SHOP WHO FIXED MY CAR AND TO WHAT I'VE READ ONLINE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL. SAAB AND GM WERE BOTH ESPECIALLY ARROGANT TO ME. THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND REIMBURSE ME WHAT I WAS OUT EVEN THOUGH I SOLD MY CAR. I HAVE THE RECEIPTS IF YOU NEED THEM. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! PLEASE EMAIL ONLY.
NHTSA complaint #10758980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,400 milesVail, COCrashFire4 injured1 killed
POWER TRAIN
AT 65 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB, SHIFT COVER AND ASSEMBLY SEPARATED FROM THE CAR - THE BASE-METAL STICK SHIFT WAS ALL THAT REMAINED, AND THUS THE SAFETY LATCH THAT PREVENTS CAR FROM BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, INSTEAD OF A FORWARD MOVING GEAR, NORMALLY ATTACHED TO THE EXTERIOR, WAS NOW MISSING. ALAS, SAFELY SHIFTING INTO ANY OF ITS 6 GEARS, WAS NOT AN OPTION ... IT'S ODD, BUT PER ITS ORIGINAL MANUFACTURING SPECS, THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM IN THE 9-3, HAS ZERO LOCKING MECHANISM TO KEEP THE KNOB AND COSMETIC HOUSING FROM SEPARATING. NUMEROUS OTHER REPORTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO DEALERSHIPS AND ACROSS THE INTERNET. GM STILL COVERS 9-3, 2008, UNDER ITS WARRANTY POLICIES.
NHTSA complaint #10512690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Farmington, NY
SEAT BELTS
I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn’t have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It’s a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can’t even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.
NHTSA complaint #11746834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, NY
AIR BAGS
I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn’t have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It’s a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can’t even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.
NHTSA complaint #11746834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Farmington, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn’t have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It’s a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can’t even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.
NHTSA complaint #11746834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mölndal, AK
AIR BAGS
Hello, I know the Takata airbag has to be replaced on my car. However now I do live abroad, in Gothenburg Sweden in Europe. How do I get the replacement done? Should I go to GM here in Europe? Thanks
NHTSA complaint #11703471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lapine, AL
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11611827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Stroudsburg, PA
POWER TRAIN
at about 98,000 miles the starts to fail transmission fails Also when the car gets too cold in the winter it refuses to start and it is not a battery issue. the cylinders get to cold to start. When the warm weather comes back around it starts again.
NHTSA complaint #11508009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eagle, CO
SEAT BELTS
Driver seat belt fails to retract. When retraction failure occurs, it is obvious to the seat occupant immediately. If a crash were to occur with a seat belt in this condition, the result could increase the risk of injury to the driver. The seat belt retraction failure has been reproduced and confirmed. No warning lamps but, the seat belt showed earlier symptoms of not working properly, by not engaging when hard braking occurred. I will have the tensioner replaced.
NHTSA complaint #11426755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ledbetter, TX
SEATS
AIRBAG MALFUNCTION CONTACT SERVICE
NHTSA complaint #11389921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ledbetter, TX
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG MALFUNCTION CONTACT SERVICE
NHTSA complaint #11389921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ledbetter, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AIRBAG MALFUNCTION CONTACT SERVICE
NHTSA complaint #11389921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Hartford, NY
ENGINE
HAD TO HAVE VALVE JOB DONE DUE TO BAD /DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR INTAKE VALVES, FROM MANUFACTURER. HAD TO HAVE ALL INTAKE VALVES REPLACED, WITH MODIFIED/UPGRADED INTAKE VALVES. OBTAINED PO300 - RANDOM MISFIRE CODES, HAD ROUGH IDLE, CHECKED ENGINE COMPRESSION, HAD 45PSIG IN CYLINDER NUMBER 4. ENGINE HAD 72862MILES, ON IT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY SAAB/GM.
NHTSA complaint #11385659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesGreenwich, NY
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE DOESN'T START/IDLE WELL IN THE COLD DUE TO THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS SLOWLY BECOMING LOOSE. **WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING** THE VEHICLE CANNOT HANDLE THE EXTRA UNCLEAN AIR ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND WILL STALL OUT WHILE GOING ANYWHERES FROM 0-60+ MPH, ONCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ALL POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS DOWN. THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SEALS ON THE AIR INTAKE VALVES INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER HAVE BECOME FAULTY RESULTING IN CYLINDER MISFIRES AND A HIGH AMOUNT OF VIBRATION INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE SYMPTOMS COME AND GO WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AS TIME GOES ON. THIS SECONDARY ISSUE TIES INTO THE FIRST ISSUE BECAUSE OF SHIFTING WITH A STANDARD MY VEHICLE TODAY (12/3/2020) SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 7 TIMES TO AND FROM MY JOB.
NHTSA complaint #11377764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesGreenwich, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY VEHICLE DOESN'T START/IDLE WELL IN THE COLD DUE TO THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD BOLTS SLOWLY BECOMING LOOSE. **WHEN DRIVING AND SHIFTING** THE VEHICLE CANNOT HANDLE THE EXTRA UNCLEAN AIR ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND WILL STALL OUT WHILE GOING ANYWHERES FROM 0-60+ MPH, ONCE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ALL POWER STEERING ALSO SHUTS DOWN. THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS AN ACCELERATION PROBLEM BECAUSE THE SEALS ON THE AIR INTAKE VALVES INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER HAVE BECOME FAULTY RESULTING IN CYLINDER MISFIRES AND A HIGH AMOUNT OF VIBRATION INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, THE SYMPTOMS COME AND GO WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY AS TIME GOES ON. THIS SECONDARY ISSUE TIES INTO THE FIRST ISSUE BECAUSE OF SHIFTING WITH A STANDARD MY VEHICLE TODAY (12/3/2020) SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING 7 TIMES TO AND FROM MY JOB.
NHTSA complaint #11377764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesWilmington, DE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR WOULDN'T START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. IT DROVE FINE AND THEN I PARKED IT AND WENT OUT A LITTLE LATER AND IT WOULD JERK AND TRY TO STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SPUTTERING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. IF I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THEN IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. I RAN SOME ERRANDS AND IT DROVE FINE. AFTER MY FINAL ERRAND, THE CAR STRUGGLED TO START BUT DID AND IDLED REALLY ROUGHLY. I PUT IT INTO GEAR AND IT DIED. I COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. AFTER READING OTHER POSTS, THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THESE YEARS AND VEEY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11337573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesWilmington, DE
ENGINE
MY CAR WOULDN'T START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. IT DROVE FINE AND THEN I PARKED IT AND WENT OUT A LITTLE LATER AND IT WOULD JERK AND TRY TO STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SPUTTERING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. IF I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THEN IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. I RAN SOME ERRANDS AND IT DROVE FINE. AFTER MY FINAL ERRAND, THE CAR STRUGGLED TO START BUT DID AND IDLED REALLY ROUGHLY. I PUT IT INTO GEAR AND IT DIED. I COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. AFTER READING OTHER POSTS, THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THESE YEARS AND VEEY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11337573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesWilmington, DE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
MY CAR WOULDN'T START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. IT DROVE FINE AND THEN I PARKED IT AND WENT OUT A LITTLE LATER AND IT WOULD JERK AND TRY TO STALL WHILE I WAS DRIVING, SPUTTERING LIKE I WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. IF I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AND THEN IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD. I RAN SOME ERRANDS AND IT DROVE FINE. AFTER MY FINAL ERRAND, THE CAR STRUGGLED TO START BUT DID AND IDLED REALLY ROUGHLY. I PUT IT INTO GEAR AND IT DIED. I COULDN'T GET IT STARTED AGAIN. AFTER READING OTHER POSTS, THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THESE YEARS AND VEEY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #11337573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 157,000 milesMerrimack, NH
ENGINE
I BROUGHT MY 08 SAAB 9-3 TO A SHOP FOR A COMPRESSION TEST CAUSE IT KEPT STALLING WHEN I WOULD GO TO START IT, IT'S AN AUTOMATIC. I WAS TOLD MY INTAKE VALVES WERE WEARING DOWN AND IT'S DUE TO GMS FAULTY VALVES. YESTERDAY MY CAR STARTED TICKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST ALMOST ALL MY POWER, COME TO FIND OUT MY VALVES WERE ABOUT TO SNAP. NOW I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE AND GM REFUSES TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS HAPPENING TO 08-10 SAAB 9-3 WITH THE GM FACTORY VALVES.
NHTSA complaint #11323555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,500 milesPort Orchard, WA
ENGINE
EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING IN COLD WEATHER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THE PAST FEW YEARS. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A TSB REGARDING THE INTAKE VALVES FOR 2.0 ECOTEC 4 CYLINDER. HAD A COMPRESSION TEST FOLLOWING SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND MULTIPLE READINGS DIAGNOSE A P0300 ENGINE CODE . COLD AND WARM COMPRESSION TEST SHOWED CYLINDER 2 COMPRESSION WELL OUT OF SPECIFICATION. DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. QUOTED $4000 FOR ENGINE REBUILD.
NHTSA complaint #11321867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPhoenixville, PA
ENGINE
THE VALVES ON THESE CARS ARE DEFECTIVE AND START FAILING AROUND 60K MILES. THIS IS A WIDELY KNOW ISSUE AFFECTING THE 2008 SAAB 9-3 2.0L ENGINES. GM NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE REPAIRS GIVEN THE KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. CAR WILL NOT START WHEN COLD AND THERE IS NOTHING THE DEALER CAN DO OTHER THAN PERFORM A MAJOR VALVE JOB (+$2300) => HTTPS://WWW.SAABCENTRAL.COM/THREADS/08-SAAB-COLD-START-ROUGH-IDLE.327778/
NHTSA complaint #11310390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,700 milesPort Orchard, WA
POWER TRAIN
SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AVERAGE MPG (PROBLEM FROM RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS IT IS FROM LOWERED COMPRESSION FROM INTAKE VALVE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED). 109700 MILES ON ENGINE. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY US NAVY SUBMARINER. HAVEN'T CONTACTED GM OR SAAB AFFILIATE YET. FORUMS USED INFER THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR 2007-2009 SAAB 9-3 2.0T WITH B207 ENGINE. SUMMER TIME MPG IS AROUND 32-33, WINTER MPG IS 30-31 IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. LAST 3 FILL UPS, AVERAGE MPG HAS DROPPED STEADILY FROM 30.5 TO 26 ON THE MOST RECENT FILL UP. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO KNOW IF A RECALL OR FINANCIAL COMPENSATION BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMERS HAS BEEN ORDAINED?
NHTSA complaint #11308102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,700 milesPort Orchard, WA
ENGINE
SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AVERAGE MPG (PROBLEM FROM RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS IT IS FROM LOWERED COMPRESSION FROM INTAKE VALVE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED). 109700 MILES ON ENGINE. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY US NAVY SUBMARINER. HAVEN'T CONTACTED GM OR SAAB AFFILIATE YET. FORUMS USED INFER THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR 2007-2009 SAAB 9-3 2.0T WITH B207 ENGINE. SUMMER TIME MPG IS AROUND 32-33, WINTER MPG IS 30-31 IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. LAST 3 FILL UPS, AVERAGE MPG HAS DROPPED STEADILY FROM 30.5 TO 26 ON THE MOST RECENT FILL UP. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO KNOW IF A RECALL OR FINANCIAL COMPENSATION BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMERS HAS BEEN ORDAINED?
NHTSA complaint #11308102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,700 milesPort Orchard, WA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AVERAGE MPG (PROBLEM FROM RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS IT IS FROM LOWERED COMPRESSION FROM INTAKE VALVE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED). 109700 MILES ON ENGINE. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY US NAVY SUBMARINER. HAVEN'T CONTACTED GM OR SAAB AFFILIATE YET. FORUMS USED INFER THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR 2007-2009 SAAB 9-3 2.0T WITH B207 ENGINE. SUMMER TIME MPG IS AROUND 32-33, WINTER MPG IS 30-31 IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. LAST 3 FILL UPS, AVERAGE MPG HAS DROPPED STEADILY FROM 30.5 TO 26 ON THE MOST RECENT FILL UP. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO KNOW IF A RECALL OR FINANCIAL COMPENSATION BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMERS HAS BEEN ORDAINED?
NHTSA complaint #11308102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHowe, TX
ENGINE
ROUGH IDLE AND START ON COLD STARTS. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN IN THE SAAB COMMUNITY DUE TO GM PUTTING WEAK MATERIAL IN FACTORY FUEL INJECTOR VALVES. ENGINE LOSES COMPRESSION UNTIL CAR IS WARM, BUT MAY RESULT IN STALLS OR LIMP MODE
NHTSA complaint #11258196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesHartland, MI
ENGINE
VEHICLE EXHIBITS ALL SIGNS OF PREMATURE INTAKE VALVE WEAR CAUSING LOSS OF COMPRESSION AND/OR HARD START/NO START WHEN AMBIENT AIR TEMP IS BELOW 40 DEGREES. SEE ALL PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE!
NHTSA complaint #11174994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 129,200 milesBriarcliff Manor, NY
ENGINE
JUST PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM A FRIEND 2008 SAAB 9-3 2.0T CONVERTIBLE . WHEN I FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE (IT IS NOW COLD OUTSIDE) THE ENGINE IS RUNNING RUFF UNTIL IT WARMS UP. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHER SAAB 2008 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND HAVE READ THAT THE INTAKE VALUES USED BY GM ARE FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #11160594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
