NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
95 reports32,100 miles · Aug 5, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
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…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10236970
56,000 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Suspension
I HAVE A 2005 SAAB 9-3 WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WHICH POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE NOT LIMITED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHREDDED TIRE. LUCKILY THIS ISSUE WAS CAUGHT QUICKLY AND BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE LAPSED AT 50,000 MILES AND SAAB IS …
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I HAVE A 2005 SAAB 9-3 WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED A BROKEN RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WHICH POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE NOT LIMITED TO THE POTENTIAL FOR A SHREDDED TIRE. LUCKILY THIS ISSUE WAS CAUGHT QUICKLY AND BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE WARRANTY ON THIS VEHICLE LAPSED AT 50,000 MILES AND SAAB IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE THE PART. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR CASES - SOME BREAKAGES HAPPENING AT SPEED AND SHREDDING TIRES. SIMILAR ISSUES CAN BE FOUND AT: HTTP://WWW.SAABSCENE.COM/FORUM/INDEX.PHP?SHOWTOPIC=31635698. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230949
28,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Service Brakes, Air
THE REAR BRAKE PADS ON THE SAAB 9-3 SEDANS WEAR PREMATURELY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN REAR BREAK FAILURES WITH AS FEW AS 20-28K MILES ON THE CAR, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY NORMAL.*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213467
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2007
Service Brakes, Air
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF 2005 SAAB 9-3 WITH 23,000 MILES REVEALED "FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WORN BELOW LIMITS." *TR
NHTSA ODI #10192442
16,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Air BagsCrash
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED A SEMI TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT HOWEVER, AFTER THE CRASH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AT SCENE OF…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE IMPACTED A SEMI TRUCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT HOWEVER, AFTER THE CRASH, A WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED INDICATING AN AIR BAG MALFUNCTION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS AT SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE POLICE WAS ALSO PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AND NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10175491
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED 4 TIMES ON 5/17/2006, 4/17/2006. 04/7/2006/AND 4/03/2006. SERVICED EACH TIME BY SAAB DEALER WITH ASSISTANCE FROM NATIONAL TECHNICAL. PROBLEMS CONTINUED. MADE REQUEST FOR RE-PURCHASE UNDER LEMON LAWS OF ST OF WA. CAR RE-PURCHASED BY SAAB USA. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168626
20,000 miles · Aug 14, 2006
Seat Belts
THE PLASTIC AROUND THE TONGUE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT HAS A VERTICAL CRACK PRESENTING A POTENTIAL POINT OF FAILURE IN AN ACCIDENT WHEREBY THE WEBBING WOULD BE PUSHED THROUGH THE PLASTIC SURROUNDING THE TONGUE AND CAUSING THE OCCUPANT TO BE UNRESTRAINED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165431
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2006
SeatsInjury
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) T…
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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
NHTSA ODI #10157416
11,800 miles · Apr 19, 2006
SeatsInjury
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FORWARD TO LET PASSENGERS OUT OF THE BACK SEAT THE SEAT SLID BACK AND PINNED THE PASSENGERS. 3 OF THEM SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE SEAT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY.
NHTSA ODI #10155682
6,500 miles · Mar 29, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON 3-24-06. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ON 3-29-06 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND TO CALL BACK NEXT WEEK. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #05V236000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE SE…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED ON 3-24-06. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED ON 3-29-06 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THE PARTS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND TO CALL BACK NEXT WEEK. THERE IS AN NHTSA RECALL, #05V236000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND AND FITTINGS. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10153972
NHTSA investigations
2EA08026 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Dec 22, 2008 · Closed Jun 4, 2010
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.The engineering design and testing data supplied by GM, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in general, the coil springs that fractured on many subject vehicles did not achieve the expected service life.However, in regard to the subject vehicles, a front suspension coil spring fracture itself has little safety consequence, as evidenced by the minimal impact on vehicle ride and handling and by the number of drivers who were unaware of the failure condition for some time until alerted by service personnel.The ratio of tire punctures to coil spring fractures appears low and there are no reports of crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor this issue and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See the EA08-026 Engineering Analysis Closing Report for more details.
PE08051 · Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
Opened Aug 28, 2008 · Closed Dec 23, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
ON AUGUST 28, 2008, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE08-051) TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURES IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-2004 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES.(NOTE: FOR PURPOSES OF THIS INVESTIGATION, THE SALT BELT INCLUDES CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN).SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS OF DATA PROVIDED BY GENERAL MOTORS CORP. (GM) HAS LED THE AGENCY TO EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THIS INVESTIGATION TO INCLUDE ALL MY 2003-2006 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES SOLD OR REGISTERED IN SALT BELT STATES. TO DATE, ODI IS AWARE OF 53 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS AND/OR FIELD REPORTS THAT ALLEGE COIL SPRING FRACTURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, INCLUDING 23 ALLEGING THE FRACTURED SPRING DAMAGED A TIRE, WITH 16 OF THOSE INVOLVING A TIRE PUNCTURE.ANALYSIS OF WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY GM IDENTIFIED 1,218 CLAIMS PAID TO REPAIR SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT EXPERIENCED THE ALLEGED DEFECT, OF WHICH 138 VEHICLES ALSO SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE ADJACENT TIRE AND OF THOSE, 79 VEHICLES EXPERIENCED A TIRE PUNCTURE.ODI IS NOT AWARE OF ANY CRASHES OR INJURIES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT. GM MADE SEVERAL DESIGN CHANGES TO THE COIL SPRINGS AND/OR MCPHERSON STRUT ASSEMBLIES USED IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IN AN APPARENT EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION.HOWEVER, GM MAINTAINS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES REMAIN WELL CONTROLLED IN THE EVENT OF TIRE PUNCTURE, THAT THE RATE OF TIRE PUNCTURE INCIDENTS RELATED TO COIL SPRING FRACTURES IS LOW, AND THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT DOES NOT POSE AN UNREASONABLE RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA08-026) TO FURTHER STUDY THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT.
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