2003 Saab 9-3 problems
Owners have filed 323 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3. Electrical system is the most reported problem area, at 16% of complaints. After that come suspension (14%) and engine (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 323 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 19 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 25 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 240 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 72 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 42 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 25 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 50 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 24 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 14 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 5 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 4 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Among the 240 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 43,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 59,000 miles (42 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 19 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 25 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2003 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Saab 9-3 with enough data (228 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Airbags did not deploy in a 30-35MPH frontal collision with an oncoming vehicle. Seatbelt restraint injured both passengers, but none of the airbags deployed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering lost power. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall. The driver side tire became stuck under the driver seat without warning. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed. Both the driver and passenger received injuries that required medical attention. The police was at the scene, but did not file a report. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company totaled the vehicle.
I just bought a 2003 saab 9-3 about a month ago and it has approx. 1800 miles on it. I was driving home from work and suddenly lost power steering followed by complete power. Luckily I was on a back road and pulled over safely. If I had been on the highway there may have been a different outcome. I feel that this is a very big safety issue.
2003 saab 93 fails to accelerate from a stop in a timely manner. Delay can be as long as 5 seconds before reasonable rate of acceleration is achieved with light or heavy application of the gas pedal. Can occur when turning or in straight line acceleration. Only occurs in very hot weather (phoenix, summer). In normal weather, auto exhibits typical, slight turbo lag, but nothing nearly as severe as this condition.