AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Aug 1, 2024
The driver's side, side air bag deployed spontaneously. There was no apparent reason or cause, ie no side impact of any kind, no door slamming or other provocation. The car was parked in a garage for six hours before I sat in the car, closed the door, then BLAM! Temperature was moderate, where as the car is often parked on a city street in direct sun. Air bag deployment was a loud bang followed by smoke from an explosive, and a sting on my neck and shoulder where the bag hit me. Bits of foam from the seat interior, where the air bag was located, blew around the car interior. I suffered temporary hearing loss in my left ear due to the loud bang. I was also quite startled. No other people were at risk. No other air bags have deployed since I've owned the car, approx. 20 yrs., purchased used. I will consult an authorized repair shop, insurance agent, and a dealer service center for more info. A Saab dealer service center told me a new replacement air bag would be available from Sweden at a cost of $700. That would be in addition to the cost of repairing the seat, door frame panel, and other items. There were no prior dash board or related fault code messages. The car has never been in an accident or impacted in any way to the best of my knowledge (I saw a Carfax report at purchase).
- NHTSA ID
- 11605808
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jul 11, 2020
IN NEUTRAL PARKED IN TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT / INTERSECTION WAITING FOR GREEN, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN MY SEAT DEPLOYED/ EXPLODED CAUSING INJURY AND BRUISING TO LEFT ARM.
- NHTSA ID
- 11338755
- Incident
- Jul 11, 2020
- Mileage
- 123,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 27, 2018
I GOT INTO MY PARKED VEHICLE AS NORMAL, CLOSED THE DOOR AND FASTENED MY SEATBELT. I THEN DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND INSERTED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. AS I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE CAR, THE DRIVERS SEAT SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF HEARING, A RINGING SOUND IN THE EARS, AND INJURY TO MY LEFT ARM. I REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND OFF/NOT RUNNING, IN A PARKING LOT AT A LOCAL SHOPPING MALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT, DAMAGED, OR USED IN ANY OTHER WAY OUT OF ORDINARY OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, SOUNDS, OR SIGNS OF DISTURBANCE IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL SHORTER AFTER TO BE TREATED FOR MY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ITS PRIMARY PLACE OF REST, MY HOME.
- NHTSA ID
- 11131905
- Incident
- Sep 26, 2018
- Mileage
- 222,620 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 23, 2017
WHILE PARKED AND WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING THE DRIVER'S SEAT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED.
- NHTSA ID
- 11019173
- Incident
- Aug 23, 2017
- Mileage
- 162,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 17, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY REAR IMPACT OR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10916660
- Incident
- Sep 19, 2016
- Mileage
- 92,000 mi
I WAS RETURNING FROM THREE DAYS OF AIR TRAVEL AND REACHED MY CAR WHICH WAS PARKED IN A SECURE CORPORATE AIRPORT PARKING LOT WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND IT. I PLACED MY LUGGAGE IN THE TRUNK, ENTERED THE CAR AND PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. I STARTED THE CAR; IT STARTED NORMALLY WITH NO WARNINGS OR ANYTHING ABNORMAL. I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE, ROLLED APPROXIMATELY THREE FEET, AND THE SEAT-BACK SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED EXPLOSIVELY. IT SHATTERED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, STRUCK ME VERY HARD ON THE LEFT SHOULDER AND UPPER ARM, AND SHOVED ME VIOLENTLY TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CAR. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED TO RECOVER MY SENSES. I THOUGHT INITIALLY THAT I HAD BEEN SHOT OR SHOT AT WITH A GUN. THE EXPLOSION WAS VERY LOUD, AND LEFT RINGING IN MY LEFT EAR. I SHUT THE CAR OFF, GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE DAMAGE BOTH TO MY CAR AND MYSELF. MY UPPER ARM WAS SEVERELY BRUISED; INITIALLY THAT WAS THE ONLY PAIN THAT I FELT. THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I NOTIFIED THE LOCAL SECURITY BOTH TO RECORD THE EVENT AND HOPEFULLY CLEAN UP THE GLASS. I TOOK SEVERAL PICTURES WITH MY PHONE, THEN DROVE HOME AFTERWARD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE NEXT MORNING I HAD NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER PAIN. I NOTIFIED AND FILED A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE AGENCY, CALLED MY DEALERSHIP, AS WELL AS UPDATING MY FAMILY OF THE OCCURRENCE AND WENT TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE FOR CHECK-OUT. HAD THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I AM CONFIDENT THIS EVENT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE GIVEN THE VIOLENCE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS EVENT OCCURRED IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT IN TRAFFIC, AND THAT I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. THIS WAS A COMPLETELY UNCOMMANDED AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO PREVENT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM OCCURRING IF THIS HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10781171
- Incident
- Oct 2, 2015
- Mileage
- 154,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 20, 2014
SIDE AIRBAG ON DRIVER'S SIDE (LOCATED IN OUTSIDE EDGE OF DRIVER'S SEAT) DEPLOYED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED AND RUNNING. THIS WAS CLEARLY A MALFUNCTION -- THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL EVENT OR DAMAGE THAT WOULD CAUSE AN AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. SIGNIFICANT BRUISING TO DRIVER'S LEFT ARM, TEMPORARY HEARING LOSS; DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10648817
- Incident
- Oct 15, 2014
- Mileage
- 139,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 10, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSING, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10632197
- Incident
- Sep 16, 2013
- Mileage
- 114,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 20, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WAS NOT RETRACTING PROPERLY WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM BEING PROPERLY SECURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO WEAR THE SEAT BELT SINCE IT WAS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO CONNECT TO THE LATCH BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10604729
- Incident
- Feb 8, 2014
- Mileage
- 135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2013
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH WHEN MY PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING A LOUD EXPLOSION SOUND AND MY PASSENGERS SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE WAS EJECTED FROM THE DOOR. I HAD NOT HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10535087
- Incident
- Aug 8, 2013
- Mileage
- 131,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Aug 12, 2012
I WAS DRIVING TO THE STORE WHEN I HEARD BOOM AND SEEN SMOKE AND I REALISE THE SIDE AIRBAG OPEN. I DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH ANYTHING . THE DRIVER SEATBELT WENT ABOUT A YEAR AGO, IT BEGAN JAM MEACHICAN SAIDED THAT PULLEY JAM. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10470315
- Incident
- Aug 5, 2012
- Mileage
- 99,999 mi
Seat belts
Filed Nov 21, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WHEN SHE EXPERIENCED EXTREME DIFFICULTY PULLING THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT OUT OF ITS PRETENSIONER. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE SEAT BELT WAS OPERATED. APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS LATER, THE PRETENSIONER FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10436634
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2005
- Mileage
- 6,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 8, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE FOR EMISSIONS TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE CODES THAT SHOWED ON THE EMISSION TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE IDM CODE, WHICH IS THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL, OVER HEAT AND FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO INFORMED HIM TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN BECAUSE IT WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: IGNITION: MODULE). HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY LATER INFORMED HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $700 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS MILEAGE 106,871.
- NHTSA ID
- 10405626
- Incident
- Feb 14, 2011
- Mileage
- 106,871 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 26, 2011
GAS STARTED LEAKING AT A STEADY STREAM FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. FROM THE DEALER REPAIR STATEMENT: "CUSTOMER STATES CHECK RAW GAS LEAKING FROM ABOVE THE FUEL TANK, ONLY WITH CAR RUNNING. FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP BROKEN. REPLACED FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP." MY CONCERN: THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM (FUEL TANK RETAINER CLIP FAILURE AND LEAKING GAS) WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR 2001 AND NEWER SAAB 9-3S. SAAB SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED 2000 MODELS AS WELL SINCE THEY HAVE THE SAME DESIGN (ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND COMMENTS ON THE WEB). OVERALL, THIS IS A GOOD CAR, BUT SAFETY MATTERS!
- NHTSA ID
- 10385730
- Incident
- Feb 20, 2011
- Mileage
- 125,200 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 6, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. IN 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000. THE FAILURE WAS NOT PRESENT AT THE TIME, BUT THE IGNITION CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED AS A PRECAUTIONARY REMEDY. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND OFTEN STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FURTHER LIABILITY. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED CORRECTLY. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10275915
- Incident
- Jun 10, 2009
- Mileage
- 70,200 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed May 26, 2009
SAAB 2000 9-3 TURBO CONTINUED TO BE PLAGUED WITH NO START PROBLEMS (RECALLED ITEM REPAIRED BY SAAB DEALERSHIP. OIL SLUDGE AS A RESULT OF PROBLEMS RELATED TO RECALL CAUSED ENGINE/TURBO TO FAIL AT 94,000 ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO MECHANIC. SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP IS DOCUMENTED AND SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. TURBO FAILURE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10269966
- Incident
- May 6, 2009
- Mileage
- 94,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 13, 2009
THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS STARTING FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VARIOUS SAAB SERVICE CENTERS WITHOUT MUCH LUCK. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR ISSUED ON THE PART WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN WHEN THE RECALL WAS ISSUED THEY SAID THAT MY DI CASSETTE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE JUST HAD TO PAY AND REPLACE THIS PART AND I FEAR THAT THIS DAMAGED PART HAS COMPROMISED OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10254844
- Incident
- Jan 10, 2009
- Mileage
- 105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 5, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED IN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE) AND HE IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A NEW IGNITION MODULE WAS ALREADY INSTALLED. DAYS LATER, WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS CLOGGED DUE TO IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10250865
- Incident
- Jul 15, 2006
- Mileage
- 64,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 22, 2008
2000 9-3 HAD THE IGNITION MODULE RECALL DONE A FEW YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE MOTOR STOPPED. LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. THE REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE CATALYTIC BECAUSE IT WAS PLUGGED. THEY SAID IT COULD BE CAUSED BY THE IGNITION MODULE. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10246362
- Incident
- Sep 20, 2008
- Mileage
- 77,715 mi
I BOUGHT A USED 2.0L 2000 SAAB 9-3 A YEAR AGO. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SIMILAR MAKE/MODEL/YEAR HAVE HAD. I'VE REPLACED THE THROTTLE HOUSING, SERPENTINE BELT, BELT TENSIONER, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR, AND MOST RECENTLY THE WATER PUMP. NOW, I'M GETTING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FAULT CODE P1312 AND P1334, WHICH POINTS TO THE DIRECTION IGNITION MODULE. I KNOW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE IN CERTAIN SAABS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR, BUT IT'S ODD THAT MY CAR COINCIDENTALLY HAPPENS TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M THINKING THAT THE PROBLEM IS LARGER THAN INITIALLY ANTICIPATED WITH THE ORIGINAL RECALL. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10236271
- Incident
- Apr 15, 2008
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed May 7, 2008
2000 SAAB 9-3 WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS AFTER REPAIRS WERE MADE. CONSUMER STATES THAT AFTER THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED. THE NEW BELT SHRED. DEALER SAID TO PAY FOR THE SECOND REPAIR AND THEN GET REIMBURSED. *KB THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED FOLLOWING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE WATER PUMP WHICH FAILED TWICE, THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A RATTLING SOUND. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS THE CLUTCH, HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DISAGREED WITH THEIR FINDINGS. THE DEALER THEN INSTALLED AN AC COMPRESSOR BRACKET INCORRECTLY WHICH RESULTED IN ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE DEALER STATED THE FAILURE OF THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS NOT A RESULT OF IT BEING FAULTY, IT WAS DUE TO THE BELT BEING DAMAGED OR CRACKED. THE DEALER STATED THE AIR CONDITIONING BRACKET HAD BROKEN AND IN DOING SO, IT THREW THE BELT OFF OF THE PULLEYS. THE AC BRACKET WAS THE CASUAL PART FAILURE NOT THE BELT. THE BELT WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT CAME OFF. THE OIL PUMP RING AND CRANKSHAFT SEAL WERE REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL LEAK AT THE PUMP. *JB
- NHTSA ID
- 10227335
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2007
- Mileage
- 106,178 mi
MY CAR STOPPED ON MASS TURNPIKE AROUND MIDNIGHT. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST SAAB DEALER. THEIR DIAGNOSIS WAS THE OIL SLUDGE. EVEN AT THAT TIME THE DEALER DID NOT MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT SPECIAL WARRANTY THE SAAB ANNOUNCED IN 2005. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM THE SAAB AS WELL. AFTER I SEARCH THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SPECIAL WARRANTY. I FILED A CLAIM AND SUBMITTED ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS I HAD ( IT IS THEIR REQUIREMENT TO QUALIFY FOR THE SPECIAL WARRANTY). THE CAR IS ALMOST 8YEARS OLD. THE ONLY THREE RECEIPTS I DID NOT SUBMIT WERE WHEN THE CAR HAD 10,000, 20,000, AND 30,000 MILES. MY CLAIM WAS REJECTED BASED ON THESE 3 MISSING OILCHANGE RECEIPTS. I AM A SECOND OWNER THEREFORE I DO NOT HAVE THESE RECORDS AND SAAB REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S NAME ( PRIVACY ACT) AND THEY ALSO REFUSED TO CONTACT THE PREVIOUS OWNER ON MY BEHALF. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR AT THE TIME OF THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS 104,000 MILES. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THE OIL CHANGE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CAR HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM I HAVE EXPERIENCED. THE CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE FOR THE NEXT 7 YEARS. THE PEOPLE IN THE SAAB'S SPECIAL WARRANTY DEPT. WERE ARROGANT AND TOTALLY UNPROFESSIONAL. THEIR RESPONSE TO ME WAS " BUY A NEW CAR". AS OF NOW MY CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND HAS NO VALUE. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT SAAB CORP. SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THAT PROBLEM UNDER THE SPECIAL WARRANTY. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO HELP ME PLEASE DIRECT ME TO THE RIGHT PLACE. THAT CAR COST ME SO MUCH MONEY AND I REFUSE TO ACCEPT THEIR DECISION. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10226768
- Incident
- Mar 26, 2008
- Mileage
- 104,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 24, 2008
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY SAAB 9-3, MODEL YEAR 2000 HAS FAILED 3 TIMES ON ME. THE LAST TIME THE SERPENTINE BELT DISINTEGRATED INTO TINY PIECES WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN AND ALMOST LED TO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AND 5,000 MILES AFTER THE BELT WAS REPLACED. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR FACILITY THE DISINTEGRATION WAS DUE TO THE IDLER PULLEY SEIZURE AND THEY CLAIM IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ON SUCH CARS. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10225625
- Incident
- Feb 19, 2008
- Mileage
- 111,180 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3. AT 68,359 MILES, THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT DUE TO A BLOWN PISTON. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. FIFTEEN MONTHS LATER, THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAD TO BE REBUILT FOR THE SAME FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE FREQUENCY OF THE FAILURES. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,780.
- NHTSA ID
- 10200985
- Incident
- Jun 13, 2007
- Mileage
- 97,780 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 25, 2007
2000 SAAB 9-3 FUEL LINE DISCONNECTED AT THE TANK ON THE PRESSURIZED SIDE OF THE FUEL PUMP DUE TO A BROKEN PLASTIC TAB WHICH HODS THE FUEL LINE IN PLACE ( A TERRIABLE DESIGN) ALLOWING THE FUEL PUM DO DISCHARGE THE FUEL DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE GAS TANK AT THE MAXIMUM DISCHARGE RATE OF THE FUEL PUMP ... I.E. GALLONS PER MINUTE WERE BEING PUMPED OUT THE TOP OF THE TANK RESULTING IN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITITUATION.
- NHTSA ID
- 10191732
- Incident
- May 23, 2007
- Mileage
- 87,000 mi
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.