FaultScore

Saab 9-3 fuel system problems

109 of the 1,689 complaints filed about the Saab 9-3 are about the fuel system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2003.

109

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

1

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

1999 9-3 1 0.9%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2000 9-3 4 3.7%

Median failure at 87,000 miles

2001 9-3 16 14.7%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2002 9-3 6 5.5%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2003 9-3 20 18.3%

Median failure at 36,500 miles

2004 9-3 10 9.2%

Median failure at 79,000 miles

2005 9-3 10 9.2%

Median failure at 71,500 miles

2006 9-3 14 12.8%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

2007 9-3 6 5.5%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2008 9-3 15 13.8%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2009 9-3 4 3.7%

Median failure at 78,500 miles

2010 9-3 3 2.8%

Median failure at 52,425 miles

What owners said

2006 Saab 9-3 at 160,000 miles Las Vegas, NV

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2006 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and shut off, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to start. The contact also noticed a fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11678840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Saab 9-3 at 150,000 miles Memphis, TN

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11627255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Saab 9-3 at 104,000 miles Cedarville, OH

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

The contact owns a 2010 Saab 9-3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V015000 (Fuel System, Other) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately provide fuel level in the vehicle. The contact stated that while the tank was a half tank full, the fuel gauge would drop to 0 gallons. The failure occurred intermittently. The check engine warning light was illuminated with a message indicating a fuel pump failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer confirmed that the remedy was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 104,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11566115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saab 9-3 at 86,000 miles Ontario, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE.. WHILE DRIVING THE GAS GAUGE WILL DROP TO EMPTY AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS IL JUST REV THERE BE A CUT OFF DUE TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN WHICH IT'S A COMMON IN ALL SAABS I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISSUE HASN'T BECOME A RECALL. IT'S DANGEROUS THE CUT OFF IS AROUND 2-3 SECONDS. I ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE LOST OF POWER. I WAS ENTERING THE FREE WAY AND AN 18 WHEELER HAD TO SWITCH LANES AND PASSED I WAS GOING AROUND 45 MPH MERGING . THE SECOND TIME I WAS GOING 25 MPH AND IT FELT LIKE THE ENGINE SHUT OF AND GATHER SPEED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND MY VEHICLE HAS THE SAME SYMPTOMS OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBE. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS ISSUES BUT THEIR NOT PARTS TO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE BUT IF YOU TAKE THE CAR TO A MECHANIC THEYL CHARGE YOU RIDICULOUS FOR LABOR ALMOST $1200 JUST IN CHANGING THE DRIVE BELT?

NHTSA complaint #11382978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 160,000 miles Greenwich, 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.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 101,000 miles Wilmington, 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.

2006 Saab 9-3 Decatur, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ECU ISSUES, LOSS POWER WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11308684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 109,700 miles Port 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.

2006 Saab 9-3 at 3 miles Stottville, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN I USED MY CRUISE CONTROL SOMETIMES IT ENGAGES AND DOES NOT ENGAGE. IT DID THIS FOR OVER A MONTH. WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR, I DID MY RESEARCH ON IT AND IT SAID THAT IT HAS A STEERING FLUID LOSS PROBLEM, BECAUSE THE QUALITY IS POOR. I AM CURIOUS TO WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON IT YET.

NHTSA complaint #11279200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Saab 9-3 at 74,000 miles Chicago, IL Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW SMOKE COMING THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED FIRE WAS COMING FROM A FUEL LEAK ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT STATED A BYSTANDER CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER FLIKKEMA SAAB LOCATED AT 2424 176TH ST, LANSING, IL 60438, (708) 474-1933, AND WERE MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *DT

NHTSA complaint #11242006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Saab 9-3 Bayamon, PR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP DEFICIENCY. WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNING TO WARM UP BEFORE USING IT I NOTICE AND EAR THAT IT STALL. AFTER A SECOND IT ACCELERATE TO A NORMAL RPM. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME SINCE NEW (2010). I NEVER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL NOTICE!

NHTSA complaint #11185692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Saab 9-3 at 119,800 miles Chicago, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EXCESSIVE LEAKING. WAS DRIVING ON E-WAY AND ENGINE STOPPED OR SOMETHING OCCURED WHERE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE BATTERY WAS WORKING BUT, WHEN I PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR IT DIDN'T PROPEL FORWARD. I CAREFULLY STEERED WITH HAZARD LIGHTS TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. IGNITION CRANKS BUT, CAR WON'T TURN OVER. REPLACED DIRECT IGNITION COIL, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BUT, ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS: RECALL 06V126000 AFFECTED CARS SAAB 9-3 2001 ENGINE, MAY 12, 2006 ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE MAY 12, 2006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ05003 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 11,886 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V126000 COMPONENT FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS SUMMARY ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION. CONSEQUENCE 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.

NHTSA complaint #11180926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saab 9-3 at 130,000 miles Burlington, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA RECALL, I TOOK MY 06 SAAB 93 AERO INTO BELLEVUE WASHINGTON CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO GET MY AIR BAG RECALL FIXED, AFTER I HOT THE RECALLED AIRBAG REPLACED THEY RESET MY ECM AND NOW MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON INTERMITTENTLY AND DRAINS MY BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT! I HAVE CALLED BELLEVUE CADILLAC AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE THEY DID TO MY CAR BY REPLACING THE RECALLED AIRBAG WITH ANOTHER BAD AIRBAG! THEY LISTED IN THEIR COMPUTERS THAT THEY FIXED MY CAR AND NEVER DID SO NOW I AM STUCK WITH ANOTHER BAD FAULTY AIRBAG AND NOW A BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE FROM IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN LITERALLY UNDRIVEABLE SINCE THE DAY THEY REPLACED THE RECALLED AIRBAG. THE CAR ALSO HAS A FAILED GAS GAUGE DUE TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES FROM THE FACTORY WHICH WAS NEVER RECALLED, THE FUEL SENDING UNITS ARE BAD AND NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WHICH ALOT IF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME SAABS HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL OVER THE WORLD!

NHTSA complaint #11180544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saab 9-3 at 160,000 miles Canby, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN DRIVE THERE IS INTERNAL FUEL ISSUE CAUSING ENGINE TO MISFIRE AND POTENTIAL DAMAGE

NHTSA complaint #11173160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Saab 9-3 at 92,000 miles Broadview HTS, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE STALLS FOR NO REASON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND DURING ROUTINE TRIPS THROUGH STREETS WITH STOP LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. HAS BEEN INSPECTED MY NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11045491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 90,000 miles Denver, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

RECENTLY, WHILE STARTING THE CAR IT STARTED UP VERY ROUGH. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE IN CYLINDER 2. WE REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND COILS, AND THE ISSUE DID NOT GO AWAY. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAS ALSO STARTED STALLING RANDOMLY. LUCKILY, I HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT IT'S NOW SHUT OFF ABOUT 7 OR 8 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. BEEN WONDERING IF ITS INTAKE VALVES, FUEL PUMP, POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, CAMSHAFT TIMING... SOUNDS LIKE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND HOPING MINES NOT BECAUSE OF THE INTAKE VALVES. PLEASE EMAIL [XXX]@HOTMAIL.COM IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND KNOW THE FIX. CAR IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA complaint #11044367 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 97,000 miles Spartanburg, SC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR STARTS AND SHUTS OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11043987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Saab 9-3 at 80,000 miles Waynesburg, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE OWNED MY 2008 SAAB 9-3 FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW AND I HAVE HAD AN ONGOING ROUGH RUNNING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. WHEN I START MY CAR UP IN THE MORNING IT RUNS VERY ROUGH. IHAVE GOTTEN IT DIAGNOSED AND IT IS MISFIRING DRAMATICALLY LIKE 6000 ON ONE CYLINDER AND 1081 ON ANOTHER . I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND HAD THIS PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, SEVERAL TIMES, AS HAVING BAD INTAKE VALVES. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE COME TO FIND THIS IS A RATHER COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. THIS IS CONCERNING BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIR QUOTED AT OVER $2500.00. I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH MANUFACTURER RECALLS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS TO SUBMIT A COMPLAINT IN ORDER FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER RECALL DUE TO FAULTY PARTS. THERE IS ONLY 80,000 MILES ON THE CAR!!!!!!!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11033214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 25,000 miles Pacoima, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL PUMP IS DEFAULTING TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT , ERROR CODE FOR FUEL PUMP , WHILE DRIVING THE FUEL PUMP INTERMITTENTLY DOES NOT SEND ENOUGH FUEL TO MOTOR RESULTING IN NOT ENOUGH POWER STALLING WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11022413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Saab 9-3 at 99,000 miles Charlotte, NC

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

REACHED 100K MILES, AND CAR BEGAN RUNNING VERY ROUGH. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DIAGNOSED AS BAD IGNITION COIL. PAID FOR TUNE-UP, IGNITION COIL, AND AND FUEL SERVICE. LESS THAN A MONTH LATER, SAME ISSUE. CAR RUNNING FINE, THEN SUDDENLY ALMOST STALLS AND ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS THEN STAYS ON - CAR RUNS VERY ROUGH AT IDLE AND ACCELERATION. REPLACED 2 MORE COILS. LESS THAN ONE MONTH ISSUE, SAME ISSUE - CAR RUNNING OK, THEN JUST ALMOST STALLS AND RUNS ROUGH - ENGINE LIGHT BLINKS THEN STAYS ON - RELACED #5 COIL. WHEN DIAGNOSING, SERVICE TECH ADVISED THAT ISSUE WAS LIKELY WORSE, NOT MAINTAINING COMPRESSION - LIKELY REQUIRED VALVE JOB. HAVE ALREADY PAID SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON IGNITION COILS AND OTHER SERVICE TO DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE, NOW FACING LARGE BILL FOR VALVE JOB.

NHTSA complaint #11011700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Saab 9-3 problems