FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 Saab 9-3
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 37 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-3, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 54 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 2003 | 1 | 5 |
| Jan 2004 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2005 | 1 | 7 |
| Apr 2005 | 1 | 8 |
| Jul 2005 | 1 | 9 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 2006 | 1 | 11 |
| May 2006 | 2 | 13 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2006 | 1 | 15 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 16 |
| Jul 2007 | 2 | 18 |
| Aug 2007 | 3 | 21 |
| Jul 2008 | 1 | 22 |
| Mar 2009 | 1 | 23 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 24 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 25 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 26 |
| Mar 2013 | 1 | 27 |
| Jun 2014 | 2 | 29 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 30 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 32 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 33 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 34 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 35 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 36 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 37 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical1431.1%
- Engine715.6%
- Fuel system613.3%
- Transmission511.1%
- Interior & seats36.7%
- Seat belts36.7%
- Airbags24.4%
- Visibility12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IDM DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP FOR BOTH A 4-CYLINDER AND 6-CYLINDER ENGINE, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 4-CYLINDER WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE ENGINE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, WITH NO ABILITY TO BE RESTARTED.WHEN THE IDM FAILS ON A 6-CYLINDER ENGINE WHILE IT IS RUNNING, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY EXPERIENCE REDUCED POWER AND ROUGH OPERATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ONLY BE RUNNING ON THREE CYLINDERS.THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL FLASH.IF THE DRIVER CONTINUES, UNBURNT FUEL IN THE EXHAUST CAN CAUSE THERMAL DAMAGE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.THE ENGINE MAY STALL AND NOT RESTART.THERMAL DAMAGE TO OTHER UNDERHOOD COMPONENTS AND THE UNDERBODY MAY ALSO RESULT FROM PROLONGED DRIVING.THE RECALL POPULATION ENCOMPASSES 84% OF THE STALLING AND FIRE COMPLAINTS (215 FOR VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES AND 36 FOR VEHICLES WITH 6-CYLINDER ENGINES).THE 36 MONTHS IN SERVICE (MIS) STALLING RATES FOR EACH MODEL YEAR OF RECALLED VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES WERE ALL GREATER THAN TWO PERCENT.ALTHOUGH THE 36 MIS STALL RATE FOR THE RECALLED MY 2001 VEHICLES WITH V6 ENGINES WAS LOWER, AT 1.3 PERCENT, THESE VEHICLES ALSO HAD THE HIGHEST RATE OF CONFIRMED (OPEN FLAME VERIFIED) FIRES AT 62 PER 100,000 VEHICLES.GM WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO A DEALER FOR IDM INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF NECESSARY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCOPE AND REMEDY OF GM'S ACTION AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.
- NHTSA ID
- 11554987
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2023
The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.
- NHTSA ID
- 11507579
- Incident
- Feb 11, 2023
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT, THE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF SAAB VEHICLES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY RELATED TO 2004-2011 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAYORS SAAB (6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, (718) 274-2300) AND JIM ELLIS AUDI OF MARIETTA (1715 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060-9253, 770-590-4450) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11282500
- Incident
- Nov 24, 2019
- Mileage
- 184,000 mi
SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.
- NHTSA ID
- 10838086
- Incident
- Feb 8, 2016
- Mileage
- 71,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE IN PARK, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAB ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LINES FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V087000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10767290
- Incident
- Sep 17, 2015
- Mileage
- 65,000 mi
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10678242
- Incident
- Jan 5, 2015
- Mileage
- 95,000 mi
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10678241
- Incident
- Jan 3, 2015
- Mileage
- 100,000 mi
MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE STARTS FINE ONCE IT START MOVING GOES OFF,THEN I STARTS IT AGAIN,THEN WHEN I STOP IT GOES OFF AND KEEP ON DOING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE IDEA IT WAS COLD,BUT I NOTICED IT DOESN'T MATTER IT DO IT EVERY TIME I STOP AT ANY LIGHT OR STOP SIGN,THEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER NUMBER 1800-9559007 THEY ASKED ME FOR THE VIN # [XXX] THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE DOESN'T HAVE ANY RECALLS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,THEN I TOLD HER IF MY VEHICLE IS SUFFERING THE SAME PROBLEMS IN THE RECALL DESCRIPTION IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER,BUT SHE TOLD ME THAT UNLESS YOUR VEHICLE GETS ON FIRE OR ACCIDENT THEY CAN'T INCLUDE IT IN ANY RECALLS. THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SINCE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM ACCORDING TO THE REST OF VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS,THEN SHE TOLD ME SHE CHECKED MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER AGAIN AND THAT REPAIR WAS DONE,BUT MY CAR IS JUST GIVING ME THAT PROBLEM CONSTANTLY. WHAT CAN I DO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
- NHTSA ID
- 10667622
- Incident
- Dec 15, 2014
- Mileage
- 92,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.
ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.