187 of the
1,689 complaints filed about the Saab 9-3
are about the suspension —
11% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
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.
NHTSA complaint #11099432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST ISSUE WAS FRONT SUSPENSION COILS. REPLACED BOTH. BIGGEST ISSUE WAS ONCE THE WEATHER BECAME VERY COLD, CAR WOULD NOT START. ENDED UP BEING A VICTIM OF THE BAD INTAKE VALVES PROVIDED BY GM. NOW, AFTER A COMPLETE VALVE JOB AND HAVING THE CAR RUN GREAT FROM MARCH 2017 TO DEC 2017..IT APPEARS IT MAY HAVE A CRACKED BLOCK. CAR NEVER OVERHEATED. FLUIDS WERE ALWAYS MAINTAINED. LOOKED INTO THAT AND APPARENTLY THERE WERE SOME CASTING ISSUES AS WELL. THANKS GM.
NHTSA complaint #11080319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES FAILED PREMATURELY. THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE PERFORMED ROUGHLY EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SPRINGS THAT CONNECTED TO THE FRONT STRUTS HAD PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT COILS SPRINGS AND EIGHT VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO INSPECTED BY A DEALER (CONNTECH SAAB SPECIALISTS, 180 JEFFERSON BLVD, WARWICK, RI 02888, (401) 738-3665). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11057318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING RUSTED AND BROKEN CAUSING LOUD CLUNKING WHEN DRIVING. I AM LOOKING FOR AN EXPLANATION ON WHY SAFETY RECALL 15917 ONLY INCLUDES THE YEARS 2003-2006 WHEN CLEARLY THE ISSUE FROM READING ONLINE SURPASSES THOSE YEARS BY FAR.
NHTSA complaint #11021655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS AND FRONT STRUTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRACTURE HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE ON EACH SIDE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPRINGS PREMATURELY FRACTURED AND THE FRONT STRUTS AND SPRINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10845837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER STRUT WAS BENT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUTS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
NHTSA complaint #10836946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET AT 30 MPH I HEAR A BANG! I START TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND PULLED OVER SAFELY ONCE I GAINED CONTROL WHEN I GET OUT THE CAR TO INSPECT IT MY PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT SPRING IS BROKEN IN TWO AND MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE IS BLOWN. I COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BADLY INJURED OR KILLED! SAAB YOU NEED TO DO A RECALL THIS IS LIFE THREATENING!
NHTSA complaint #10824229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. TOOK CAR TO MECHANIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING WAS CORRODED AND BROKEN. THE CORROSION OCCURRED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING AND THE BROKEN PIECE WAS STICKING OUT OF THE STRUT ASSRMBLY AND WAS POSSIBLY A TIRE PUNCTURE HAZZARD. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THIS MODEL SAAB BUT IS NOT COVERED BY GM SPECIAL COVERAGE #15917 BECAUSE THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO 2003-2006 MODELS. WHY NOT GM??
NHTSA complaint #10748514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND STRUT BEARINGS NEED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE BOTH COIL SPRINGS CRACKED/BROKE. THERE IS A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH OTHER SAAB MODEL YEARS RECALL 15917 AND THIS SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER MODEL YEAR 2007 AS WELL SINCE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10745499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE KNOWN TO NHTSA AND GM UNDER PE 08051. IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND A RECALL ISSUED. BACKING OUT OF GARAGE I HEARD A POP FROM RIGHT FRONT AREA OF CAR WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. DROVE ABOUT 200 FEET BEFORE I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER. I HAD CAR TOWED TO INDEPENDENT SERVICE GARAGE. IT IS DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE AND BECAME ENTANGLED IN FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING AND TIRE. HAD I BEEN GOING AT A SPEED GREATER THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STEER THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP. BOTH GM AND NHTSA KNOW OF THE BREAKING FRONT SPRING IN SALTED ROAD AREAS INCLUDING MISSOURI. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 55000 MILES AND IS STORED IN A GARAGE AT HOME AND WORK. PLEASE PUT OUT A RECALL ISSUE IMMEDIATELY, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. ALSO A FRONT SEAT BELT RECALL WENT OUT LAST SUMMER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES, THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT IS ALWAYS SEVERAL MONTH OUT. MINE HAS BECOME KNOTTED AND DOES NOT LAY FLAT ACROSS MY BODY BUT IS MORE LIKE A ROLLED ROPE. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND GET THE PARTS OUT ASAP AS WELL. AGAIN GM NEEDS TO RECALL THE KNOWN ISSUE ON THE FRONT SPRINGS ON 2003 - 2006 SAAB 9-3'S AND FULFILL THEIR CURRENT RECALL ON THE DAMAGED RECALLED SEAT BELT. UPDATED 09/08/15*LJ UPDATED 10/26/2017
NHTSA complaint #10726587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOTICED A BRITTLE BREAKING SOUND AND ASSUMED IT WAS MY FRONT BRAKES. HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON THE CAR BUT STILL HAD RUBBING AND ROTATIONAL TICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW AND THEY TOLD ME THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BOTH BROKEN AND NEEDED REPLACED WITH THE MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDED REPAIR WHICH WAS AUTHORIZED FOR 2003-2006 MODEL YEAR 9-3 SAAB. AND THAT MY 2008 SAAB (CURRENT VEHICLE) WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS DEFECT REPAIR ORDER FROM GM. THIS INCIDENTALLY NOW HAS HAPPENED ON BOTH OF MY LAST TWO SAABS, THE 2004 9-3 I HAD BEFORE THIS CURRENT 2008 9-3 MODEL SAAB. I AM AMAZED THAT THIS ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND NOT BE COVERED BY ANY RECALL BEYOND THE 2006 MODEL YEAR AS DESCRIBED TO ME. ADDITIONALLY IT IS EXTREMELY COINCIDENTAL THAT THESE LAST TWO SAAB I'VE OWNED HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOW I HAVE TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF THE OVER $600 REPAIR AND PARTS FOR THIS CURRENT VEHICLE WHEN THE 2004 MODEL WAS COVERED.
NHTSA complaint #10721864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH SAAB - SUSPENSION SPRINGS BREAKING. THEY WARRANTY IT FOR '03 TO '06 CARS ONLY. MINE IS AN '07. MY FRONT RIGHT SPRING BROKE. DEALERS SAY THEY SEE A TON OF THEM IN '07'S AND SEE THE POSTS ONLINE FROM '07 OWNERS WITH BROKEN SPRINGS. SAAB/GM NEEDS TO GET BEHIND THIS AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
NHTSA complaint #10701927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PLEASE REFER TO COMPLAINT NUMBER 10691989 WHICH PERTAINS TO DRIVER SIDE BROKEN SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. THIS COMPLAINT (WHICH I'M SUBMITTING NOW) PERTAINS TO PASSENGER SIDE (RIGHT) SUSPENSION COIL SPRING. THE TOP OF THE COIL SPRING WAS HEAVILY RUSTED APPROX. 1-2 INCHES FROM THE TOP OF THE SPRING AND WAS AT RISK OF BREAKING/SNAPPING. BROKEN SPRING COULD HAVE SLICED THE FRONT TIRE OPEN AND CAUSED A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10691990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVER SIDE (LEFT) SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKE. IT HAS RUSTED THROUGH APPROX. 2 INCHES FROM THE TOP. IT BROKE GOING THROUGH MODERATELY UNEVEN ROADS, WITHOUT HITTING ANY MAJOR POTHOLES. BROKEN SPRING COULD HAVE SLICED THE FRONT TIRE OPEN AND CAUSED A HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. WAS BARELY HOLDING TOGETHER AT THE TIME OF REPLACEMENT. FOUND OUT WHEN STARTED TO HEAR CLUNKING SOUNDS, BUT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED WITH WORSE CONSEQUENCES.
NHTSA complaint #10691989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.