2002 Saab 9-3 Problems

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUBBED AGAINST THE OIL PAN AND CUT A 1/4 INCH GROOVE IN THE PAN. HE MOVED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER TO AVOID A MAJOR FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE OIL PAN. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, LOCATED THREE HOURS AWAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 03/18/09. *LJ UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

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.

THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE BODY BEING REPLACED AT A COST OF $714. ALSO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS HAD TO BE REPLACED (NON-WARRANTY) AFTER THE IGNITION MODULE (RECALL). AT APPROX. 118,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. *TR

MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 50000 MILES ON. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST INDICATED MALFUNCTION BEGAN AT LEAST 5000 MILES PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AS SOON THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

THE DRIVERS SEAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT IS COCKED IN A MANNER THAT FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT AT AN ANGLE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SEAT BACK AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT ALMOST ACROSS THE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS UNEVEN AND ONLY SUPORTS THE LEFT SIDE. THIS FURTHER ADDS TO THE "TWIST" THAT THE DRIVER HAS TO ENDURE IN ORDER TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE COMPANY TECH REP TOLD ME THE SOLUTION IS TO NOT USE THE LUMBAR FUNCTION. ALSO THE SEAT BOTTOM SEEMS TO COLLAPSE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN TURNING OR CORNERING TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL MANY TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON OFF-RAMPS AND WHEN TAKING EVASIVE ACTIONS. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ADD MY OWN PADDING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF I AM IN A COLLISION. THE COMPANY AND THE DEALER SEEM UMWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS CREATING BACK AND HIP PROBLEMS FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR IN THE LEAST, CONTRIBUTE TO ADDITIONAL INJURIES IF I AM IN AND ACCIDENT. I CHOSE THIS CAR FOR IT'S SAFETY RECORD WHICH SEEMS SOMEWHAT IRONIC.*AK

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.

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR

THE DRIVERS SEAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT IS COCKED IN A MANNER THAT FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT AT AN ANGLE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SEAT BACK AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT ALMOST ACROSS THE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS UNEVEN AND ONLY SUPORTS THE LEFT SIDE. THIS FURTHER ADDS TO THE "TWIST" THAT THE DRIVER HAS TO ENDURE IN ORDER TO SAFELY OPERATE THE VEHICLE. THE COMPANY TECH REP TOLD ME THE SOLUTION IS TO NOT USE THE LUMBAR FUNCTION. ALSO THE SEAT BOTTOM SEEMS TO COLLAPSE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN TURNING OR CORNERING TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL MANY TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON OFF-RAMPS AND WHEN TAKING EVASIVE ACTIONS. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO ADD MY OWN PADDING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SOMEWHAT NORMALLY. I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IF I AM IN A COLLISION. THE COMPANY AND THE DEALER SEEM UMWILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. ADDITIONALLY, THIS IS CREATING BACK AND HIP PROBLEMS FOR ME. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION THAT WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR IN THE LEAST, CONTRIBUTE TO ADDITIONAL INJURIES IF I AM IN AND ACCIDENT. I CHOSE THIS CAR FOR IT'S SAFETY RECORD WHICH SEEMS SOMEWHAT IRONIC.*AK

THE DRIVER SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. MR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RINGING IN THE EARS AND SOME APPARENT HEARING LOSS WHICH NOW HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE PERMANENT. ALSO, THE LUMBAR IN THE DRIVER SEAT SEEMS TO BE TOO HIGH. *JG

THE REAR VIEW MIIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT MOVE FAR ENOUGHT TO THE LEFT (9 P'CLOCK) TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT SO THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS BLIND SPOT ON CARS MOVING UP TOWARD THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SO I CONCLLUDED THERE I A A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE MIRROR MECHANISM.... I TALKED TO GARY RHINE, THE DEALER SERVICE ADVISOR, AND HE SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT . I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WHEREIN THE DRIVER'S REAR VIEW MIRROR COULD NOT BE A ADJUSTED ALL THE WAY OUTWARD SATISFACTORILY... I BELIEVE A RECALL IS APPROPRIATE..........................................................................LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ATTEMPTS TO ADJUST MANY ITIMES FAILE, SO I CONCLUDE THERE IS A DESIGN FAILURE THIS FAILURE NEARLY CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS AS I STARTED TO MIOVE INTO TH E LEFT LANE.. I TALKED TO GARY RHINE. *AK

WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE: WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN TERRIBLE IN MY 2002 SAAB 93. THERE IS LITERALLY NO BRAKING RESPONSE FOR THE FIRST 2-3 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TOTHE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY WATER BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKE DISCS THAT IS CAUSING THE DELAYED BRAKE RESPONSE. CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

1. USE OF HIGH BEAMS 2. IF I DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS NEVER FAIL 6 MONTH TRIAL JUST FINISHED. 3. REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE RELAY AS THIS IS WHAT MY MECHANIC DOES FOR ALL HIS CUSTOMERS WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESULTS. WHEN USING HIGHBEAMS REPLACING 6 BULBS EVERY SIX MONTHS I HAVE REPLACED 14 BULBS SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST JAN. 09 MY WIFE'S 2004 SAAB 9-3 HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *JB THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HEARD TIRE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE TIRES WERE CUPPED AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE ALIGNMENT WAS OK ON THE FRONT BUT THE REAR COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED, THE PIRELLI TIRES WERE CHANGED TO YOKOHAMA BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. *NM