2005 Saab 9-3 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2005 Saab 9-3, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Suspension2926.6%
- Seat belts2220.2%
- Airbags1211.0%
- Electrical98.3%
- Fuel system98.3%
- Driver assistance65.5%
- Brakes54.6%
- Engine43.7%
- Interior & seats43.7%
- Exterior lighting21.8%
- Transmission21.8%
- Other / unspecified10.9%
- Steering10.9%
- Body & structure10.9%
- Visibility10.9%
- Powertrain (other)10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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!
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the front passenger's side seat belt failed to latch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V318000 (Seat Belts). The vehicle was not repaired. There was no further information provided. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA 14V318000 WAS A RECALL FOR SEAT BELTS THAT FAILS TO RETRACT. WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR AND PULL IT OUT TO FASTEN IT OFTEN REMAINS SLACK. THAT EVENT CAUSED ME TO DO RESEARCH AND FIND THE RECALL. BUT IT DID NOT EXTEND TO MY CAR WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE RECALL WAS TOO NARROW.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. WEST COUNTY VOLVO (14410 MANCHESTER RD, MANCHESTER, MO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS) FOR THE DRIVER FRONTAL AIR BAG INFLATOR. THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAD AN APPOINTMENT AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER SIX WEEKS LATER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (SCHUMACHER BUICK GMC OF WEST PALM BEACH LOCATED ON 3031 OKEEBHOBEE BLVD WEST PALM BEACH, FL, 33409). ONCE THE CONTACT ARRIVED FOR THE APPOINTMENT, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 1-800-955-9007, BUT THE PHONE DISCONNECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO INFORMED GENERAL MOTORS AT 1-800-462-8782 WHO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE NO LONGER AFFILIATED WITH SAAB AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALTORNATOR KEEP MALFUNCTIONING HAPPEND MULTIPLE TIME
MY CAR WON'T START AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHY DUE TO THERE NOT BEING ANY SAAB DEALERS NEAR THE AREA I'M STUCK IN... I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUT OF MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS CUZ I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY CAR
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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?
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 *JB
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR WON'T START AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHY DUE TO THERE NOT BEING ANY SAAB DEALERS NEAR THE AREA I'M STUCK IN... I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUT OF MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS CUZ I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY CAR
FREQUENTLY THE CAR STALLS SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC, LOOSES POWER I CAN'T ACCELERATE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL TO GET HIT. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE CAR VIBRATES AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOT OF SMOKE COMES OUT FROM BACK AND RICH GASOLINE SMELL COMES AND THE SPEED TURNS TO 0. I TURN IT OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES AND RESTART SOMETIMES IT STARTS OK SOMETIMES IT VIBRATES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2005 SAAB 9-3 ARC CONVERTIBLE. BRAKE ISSUES. SPONGY BRAKES, PEDAL GOES ALMOST TO FLOOR. DEALER REPLACED HYDRAULIC UNIT & MASTER CYLINDER - PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. REPORTED TO SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE - NO RESPONSE. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 SAAB 9-3, 2.0 LITER TURBO ENGINE. MY DAUGHTER OWNS THE SAME CAR, BUT A 2004 MODEL. THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WITH ESP HAD TO BE REPLACED ON BOTH VEHICLES; IN MY VEHICLE AT 73,000 MILES AND HER CAR AT 121,000 MILES. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PART? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL SERVICE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE COOLANT WAS REFILLED YET THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS TOO POROUS, CAUSING THE COOLANT TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN SERVICED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THIS IS THE SIXTH FAILURE ON THE ENGINE. MY WIFE WAS IN MARYLAND WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (THIS IS NOT THE 1ST TIME). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AN HOUR AWAY IN BALTIMORE. THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, IT WAS REPAIRED AND THEN SHE HAD TO GET HER OWN RIDE TO THE DEALER (WE ARE FROM OHIO). THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE ENGINE WAS USING A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF OIL. THERE WAS A RECALL BECAUSE THE FACTORY ALIGNED ALL THE RING GAPS IN THE SAME DIRECTION. AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TORN DOWN AND REPAIRED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KICKS ON EVERY 400 TO 1000 MILES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE RINGS, COMPUTER, THROTTLE BODY TWICE, AIR BOX AND OTHER SMALLER ITEMS. BY THE WAY EACH TIME THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND DOESN'T GO ABOVE THIRTY MILES AN HOUR. THIS IS REAL SAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
POWER SEAT TRACKS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SLIDE BACK AND FORTH SUCH THAT WHEN STOPPING QUICKLY THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD ABOUT AN INCH. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SAABS.
I HAVE AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH MY SAAB LINEAR 9.3 TWO-DOOR CONVERTIBLE. I HAVE THE TYPE OF SEATS THAT ARE MANUALLY ADJUSTED. WHEN TRYING TO ACCESS THE REAR SEAT, THE FRONT SEAT DON'T STAY STATIONARY. THIS MEANS THAT 1) YOU CAN NOT LOAD LUGGAGE OR OTHER CARGO WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A SECOND PERSON BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY 2) THE SEAT SLIDES FREELY BACK AND FORTH WHILE PASSENGERS ARE TRYING TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE CAR. A NUMBER OF REAR SEAT PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN BRUISED BY THE SEATS AND THE POTENTIAL FOR MUCH GREATER HARM IS CLEARLY APPARENT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
FREQUENTLY THE CAR STALLS SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC, LOOSES POWER I CAN'T ACCELERATE THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS POTENTIAL TO GET HIT. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE CAR VIBRATES AND ALL OF SUDDEN A LOT OF SMOKE COMES OUT FROM BACK AND RICH GASOLINE SMELL COMES AND THE SPEED TURNS TO 0. I TURN IT OFF FOR FIVE MINUTES AND RESTART SOMETIMES IT STARTS OK SOMETIMES IT VIBRATES AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY
ONGOING DURING ROUTINE DRIVING: THE HEADLIGHTS ON MY 2005 SAAB 9-3 BURN OUT ON APPROXIMATELY A MONTHLY BASIS REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE BULB. ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGEABLE SOURCES THIS IS DUE TO A CORROSION ISSUE WITH THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS KNOWN TO THE MANUFACTURER AND SERVICE PROVIDERS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN ONE HEADLIGHT BULB BURNS OUT - THE OTHER HEADLIGHT BULB BURNS OUT SHORTLY THEREAFTER EXPOSING ME TO FOUR OCCURRENCES WHERE I HAVE LOST ILLUMINATION IN BOTH HEADLIGHTS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLIGHT SOCKETS ARE OF POOR CONSTRUCTION AS I HAVE HAD TWO OCCURRENCES OF ONE OF THE THREE TABS WHICH SECURE THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET INTO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY BREAK OFF. THIS INITIALLY CREATES A SITUATION WHERE THE HEADLIGHT BULB MOVES OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING IMPROPER ILLUMINATION OF THE ROADWAY AHEAD. ULTIMATELY, THE BROKEN TAB ON THE SOCKET LEADS TO BULB FAILURE DUE TO VIBRATION ASSOCIATED WITH VEHICLE OPERATION. REPLACEMENT SOCKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ARE OF THE SAME CONSTRUCTION AND THE UNDERLYING ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE SHIFTING FROM STOP THE PLASTIC SHIFT KNOB FELL OFF EJECTING ITSELF INTO THE REAR SEAT. DEALER CLEANED OLD GLUE OFF AND REASSEMBLED SHIFT LEVER MECHANISM. REINSTALLED SHIFT KNOB WITH TWO STEP EPOXY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND CHANGING GEARS, THE PLASTIC SHIFT KNOB FELL OFF INTO THE CONTACT'S HAND. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 09/17/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/25/08. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIRBAG DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE (NO PASSENGER PRESENT) AND DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVERS SIDE IN LESS THAN 15 MILE PER HOUR ACCIDENT. APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION OF THE SYSTEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR WON'T START AND NO MECHANIC CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHY DUE TO THERE NOT BEING ANY SAAB DEALERS NEAR THE AREA I'M STUCK IN... I HAVE BEEN LIVING OUT OF MY CAR FOR 3 MONTHS CUZ I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO STEAL MY CAR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
NORMAL DRIVING. BOTTOM SIX INCHES OF FRONT RIGHT STRUT COIL SPRING JUST BROKE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A COIL SPRING JUST BREAK BEFORE. THIS PART IS STILL ON THE CAR AND I HAVE THE BROKEN SIX INCH SEMI-CIRCULAR PIECE. IT TOOK ALMOST THREE MONTHS BEFORE I DISCOVERED WHERE A CLICKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM IN THE FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WIPERS ARE NOT PARKING CORRECTLY. DEALER FOUND WIPER MOTOR FAULTY AND REPLACED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
IN APRIL 2011, WHEN I STARTED MY CAR MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD VERY LITTLE POWER ON ACCELERATION UNTIL MY CAR HIT 2000 RPM. A DIAGNOSTIC SHOWED IT WAS A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS SIX MONTHS AGO, IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 20 TIMES SINCE. THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE THIS FOR 2 DAYS THEN WORK NORMAL AGAIN. I HAVE TO PROCEED WITH EXTREME CAUTION PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. I ALSO TAKE OFF EXTREMELY SLOW FROM ANY FULL STOPS I MAKE. IT IS HIT OR MISS EVERY TIME I START MY CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .