IllustrationMY VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER A SEAT BELT RECALL, AND WAS SERVICED IN 2005. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED, BUT ACCORDING TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER, THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. THE REPLACEMENT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE, IN THIS CASE. *TR
2003 Saab 9-3
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most 9-3 years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Saab 9-3 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 61.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 9-3 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
530–25K
3225–50K
4050–75K
2475–100K
12100–150K
6150K+
167 reports with mileage · 45 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
12 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMB…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO COVER THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR) YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 01/18/11 *BF UPDATED 01/31/11
I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I THEN FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT THAT EXACT THING AND TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH COULD PERFORM SERVICE. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, AN…
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I JUST BOUGHT A 2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I THEN FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ABOUT THAT EXACT THING AND TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHICH COULD PERFORM SERVICE. THEY TOLD ME IT HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, AND THAT IT WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO DO IT AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL OUT ON IT. I HAVE A HARD TIME BELIEVING IT WAS REPLACED ONCE AND THEN IT WENT BAD AGAIN, AND I SHOULD SAY THAT THE CAR ONLY WENT OVER 50000 MILES THIS EVENING ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK. THE DEALER SHOULD REPAIR THIS FAULTY ITEM FOR FREE AND THEN BE REIMBURSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
2003 SAAB 9-3 FRONT SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT. REPORTED TO DEALER PRIOR TO APRIL 2010 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THIS RECALL WAS FIXED. APPARENTLY THE DEALER THAT CLAIMED THEY REPLACED THESE SEATBELTS HAD NOT. QUITE A SAFETY ISSUE TO NOT HAVE PROPERLY WORKING FRONT SEAT BELTS. *TR
2003 SAAB 9-3, SEATBELT WILL NOT RETRACT PROPERLY 1. SEAT BELT IS SLOW TO RETRACT, ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE TO PUSH IT BACK INTO THE RETRACT SYSTEM. 2. IT FAILS EVERYTIME I ENTER MY CAR 3. NOTHING YET. SAAB USA IS UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE ISSUE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND REMAINS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AND REMAINS LOOSE. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT HE DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
BRAKE PADS & ROTORS, SEAT BELT, BATTERY REPLACEMENT, TIRE, TRANSMISSION, SUNROOF MALFUNCTION. *NM
MY SAAB HAS HAD A LITANY OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH LITTLE ITEMS. IGNITION WOULDN'T START THE CAR. HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT. DASH PEELING, DOOR HANDLES DISCOLORING, EMERGENCY BRAKE GETTING STUCK AND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MY CAR. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON CORRECT. STEERI…
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MY SAAB HAS HAD A LITANY OF PROBLEMS SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. IT ALL STARTED WITH LITTLE ITEMS. IGNITION WOULDN'T START THE CAR. HEAD LIGHTS BURNT OUT. DASH PEELING, DOOR HANDLES DISCOLORING, EMERGENCY BRAKE GETTING STUCK AND BEING ABLE TO OPERATE MY CAR. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT BECAUSE MY GAS CAP WASN'T ON CORRECT. STEERING WHEEL LOCKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. WHEEL LOCK LIGHT REMAINING ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING. BRAKES REPLACED DUE TO FACTORY RETRO FIT. SEAT BELTS BEING RECALLED. COMPUTER CONSTANTLY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED SO THE CAR WOULD FUNCTION. ELECTRONIC KEY FAILING SO I COULDN'T START MY CAR. MY CAR IS A 5 SPEED AND THE SHIFTER HANDLE HAS AN CONTINUES TO COME OFF IN MY HAND. A MINIMUM OF 3 FUSES NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE DASH BOARD GOES BLANK AT TIMES SHOWING NO FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR. WINDOW WOULDN'T GO UP OR DOWN AND REQUIRED THE REGULATOR TO BE REPLACED. ERRACTIC IDLE. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON BUT, DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHY. BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 30,000 MILES AND ROTORS TOO.
2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR HAS PROBLEMS WITH SUNROOF, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT, ALARM SYSTEM, GAS CAP, SIDE VIEW MIRRORS AND THE BOARD COMPUTER. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE ONBOARD COMPUTER COULD NOT BE FIXED AFTER 3 SERVICE VISITS, UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER. THE GAS CAP WOULD NOT CLOSE…
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2003 SAAB 9-3 VECTOR HAS PROBLEMS WITH SUNROOF, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT, ALARM SYSTEM, GAS CAP, SIDE VIEW MIRRORS AND THE BOARD COMPUTER. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE ONBOARD COMPUTER COULD NOT BE FIXED AFTER 3 SERVICE VISITS, UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND EXCHANGED FOR ANOTHER. THE GAS CAP WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THE ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF INADVERTENTLY, THE SIDE VIEW MIRRORS WOULD ADJUST THEMSELVES AFTER THE CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE CD PLAYER MALFUNCTIONED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT CAME ON EVEN WHEN THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS. THE FRONT SPOILER IS FALLING APART. *JB
THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MON…
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THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. THE REPAIRS WORKED FINE FOR TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *JB THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE FOG AND HEAD LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT ONCE A MONTH, THE TRACTION CONTROL WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT RECOIL TO PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE PASSENGERS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER PRESSURE WHEN APPLIED, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT "SPIN OVER," THERE WAS A BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE, THE DRIVER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, THE SUNROOF DEFLECTOR DID NOT COLLAPSE WHEN CLOSING THE GLASS CAUSING THE GLASS TO RE-OPEN ON IT'S OWN, THE DRIVER DOOR PANEL DID NOT FIT THE FLUSH TO THE DOOR PANEL, THE RADIO AND THE ONSTAR FEATURE DID NOT WORK. *SC *JB
Official recalls
407V087000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 7, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
05V236000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
May 19, 2005
CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR WHEN MINIMUM STOPPING DISTANCE IS REQUIRED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
04V540000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 20, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE VEHICLE STALLS AS A RESULT OF THIS CONDITION, IT CAN BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
04V226000 · Seat Belts:front:retractor
May 11, 2004
SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA08026 · 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.
EA04008 · Engine Stall
Opened Mar 19, 2004 · Closed Oct 27, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module; Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-059) TO INVESTIGATE 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IN MODEL YEAR 2003 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDANS WITH 2.0L TURBOCHARGED ENGINES.ON JANUARY 15, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ADVISED ODI THAT GM AND SAAB HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A GLOBAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT TWO DISTINCT ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN APPROXIMATELY 12 THOUSAND SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE REMEDIES FOR BOTH CONDITIONS INVOLVED REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. GM HAS STATED THAT NEITHER CONDITION CAN OCCUR DURING VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND IN BOTH CASES THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY CONTROLLED AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER ENGINE STALL. FOR THESE REASONS, AMONG OTHERS, GM BELIEVES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. TO DATE, ODI HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF CRASHES ALLEGEDLY DUE TO STALLING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.NEVERTHELESS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STALLING CONDITIONS CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON SAFETY.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY GM?S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATELY TREATED AS A SAFETY RECALL.HOWEVER, BASED ON THE VERY HIGH COMPLETION RATES FOR THAT CAMPAIGN (83.3 PERCENT OVERALL) AND GM?S LETTER DESCRIBING ITS FUTURE APPROACH TO THE CONSIDERATION OF STALLING ISSUES, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED.THEREFORE, 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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition:module
ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-059) TO INVESTIGATE 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IN MODEL YEAR 2003 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDANS WITH 2.0L TURBOCHARGED ENGINES.ON JANUARY 15, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ADVISED ODI THAT GM AND SAAB HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A GLOBAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT TWO DISTINCT ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN APPROXIMATELY 12 THOUSAND SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE REMEDIES FOR BOTH CONDITIONS INVOLVED REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. GM HAS STATED THAT NEITHER CONDITION CAN OCCUR DURING VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND IN BOTH CASES THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY CONTROLLED AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER ENGINE STALL. FOR THESE REASONS, AMONG OTHERS, GM BELIEVES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. TO DATE, ODI HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF CRASHES ALLEGEDLY DUE TO STALLING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.NEVERTHELESS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STALLING CONDITIONS CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON SAFETY.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY GM?S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATELY TREATED AS A SAFETY RECALL.HOWEVER, BASED ON THE VERY HIGH COMPLETION RATES FOR THAT CAMPAIGN (83.3 PERCENT OVERALL) AND GM?S LETTER DESCRIBING ITS FUTURE APPROACH TO THE CONSIDERATION OF STALLING ISSUES, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED.THEREFORE, 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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
Engine And Engine Cooling
ON DECEMBER 30, 2003, ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE03-059) TO INVESTIGATE 16 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IN MODEL YEAR 2003 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDANS WITH 2.0L TURBOCHARGED ENGINES.ON JANUARY 15, 2004, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) ADVISED ODI THAT GM AND SAAB HAD DECIDED TO CONDUCT A GLOBAL CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO CORRECT TWO DISTINCT ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE CONDITIONS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN APPROXIMATELY 12 THOUSAND SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.THE REMEDIES FOR BOTH CONDITIONS INVOLVED REPROGRAMMING THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE. GM HAS STATED THAT NEITHER CONDITION CAN OCCUR DURING VEHICLE ACCELERATION AND IN BOTH CASES THE VEHICLE CAN BE SAFELY CONTROLLED AND IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AFTER ENGINE STALL. FOR THESE REASONS, AMONG OTHERS, GM BELIEVES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT. TO DATE, ODI HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORTS OF CRASHES ALLEGEDLY DUE TO STALLING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.NEVERTHELESS, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ASSOCIATED WITH THESE STALLING CONDITIONS CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON SAFETY.ODI BELIEVES THAT THE CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY GM?S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE APPROPRIATELY TREATED AS A SAFETY RECALL.HOWEVER, BASED ON THE VERY HIGH COMPLETION RATES FOR THAT CAMPAIGN (83.3 PERCENT OVERALL) AND GM?S LETTER DESCRIBING ITS FUTURE APPROACH TO THE CONSIDERATION OF STALLING ISSUES, ODI HAS DECIDED THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES ON THIS INVESTIGATION IS NOT WARRANTED.THEREFORE, 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 TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SEE THE ATTACHED REPORT.
PE03059 · Engine Stall
Opened Dec 30, 2003 · Closed Mar 19, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:ignition:module; Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TURBOCHARGED ENGINES WITH TWO DIFFERENT POWER OUTPUTS, 175 HP AND 210 HP.SAAB HAS MODIFIED THE ELECTONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN BOTH ENGINES. IN JANUARY 2003, SAAB DISABLED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) PROTECTION (INTENDED ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) IN SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH 175 HP ENGINES.ACCORDING TO SAAB, DMF PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANMSSION MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COASTING. IN AUGUST 2003, SAAB REVISED THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THE 210 HP ENGINES TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH ENGINE STALL DURING ABORTED TAKE-OFF MANUEVERS.ACCORDING TO SAAB, ABORTED TAKE-OFF STALLS OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN DRIVE GEAR, THE ENGINE IS IDLING, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PULSED (PRESSED QUICKLY AND RELEASED IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND). THERE HAVE BEEN 553 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND SAAB ALLEGING ENGINE STALL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE IS ONE REPORTED CRASH AND NO INJURIES.SAAB INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM IN EARLY FEBRUARY TO REPROGRAM THE ECM'S.SAAB REPORTED THAT 36% OF THE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SERVICED IN THE PROGRAM AS OF MARCH 9, 2004.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND SAAB'S ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:ignition:module
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TURBOCHARGED ENGINES WITH TWO DIFFERENT POWER OUTPUTS, 175 HP AND 210 HP.SAAB HAS MODIFIED THE ELECTONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN BOTH ENGINES. IN JANUARY 2003, SAAB DISABLED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) PROTECTION (INTENDED ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) IN SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH 175 HP ENGINES.ACCORDING TO SAAB, DMF PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANMSSION MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COASTING. IN AUGUST 2003, SAAB REVISED THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THE 210 HP ENGINES TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH ENGINE STALL DURING ABORTED TAKE-OFF MANUEVERS.ACCORDING TO SAAB, ABORTED TAKE-OFF STALLS OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN DRIVE GEAR, THE ENGINE IS IDLING, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PULSED (PRESSED QUICKLY AND RELEASED IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND). THERE HAVE BEEN 553 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND SAAB ALLEGING ENGINE STALL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE IS ONE REPORTED CRASH AND NO INJURIES.SAAB INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM IN EARLY FEBRUARY TO REPROGRAM THE ECM'S.SAAB REPORTED THAT 36% OF THE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SERVICED IN THE PROGRAM AS OF MARCH 9, 2004.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND SAAB'S ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND TURBOCHARGED ENGINES WITH TWO DIFFERENT POWER OUTPUTS, 175 HP AND 210 HP.SAAB HAS MODIFIED THE ELECTONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) SOFTWARE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES TO CORRECT PROBLEMS THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL IN BOTH ENGINES. IN JANUARY 2003, SAAB DISABLED THE DUAL MASS FLYWHEEL (DMF) PROTECTION (INTENDED ONLY FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLES) IN SUBJECT VEHICLES WITH 175 HP ENGINES.ACCORDING TO SAAB, DMF PROTECTION IN A VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANMSSION MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHEN RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS COASTING. IN AUGUST 2003, SAAB REVISED THE ECM SOFTWARE IN THE 210 HP ENGINES TO ADDRESS A CONCERN WITH ENGINE STALL DURING ABORTED TAKE-OFF MANUEVERS.ACCORDING TO SAAB, ABORTED TAKE-OFF STALLS OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND IN DRIVE GEAR, THE ENGINE IS IDLING, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS PULSED (PRESSED QUICKLY AND RELEASED IN LESS THAN 1 SECOND). THERE HAVE BEEN 553 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS TO ODI AND SAAB ALLEGING ENGINE STALL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THERE IS ONE REPORTED CRASH AND NO INJURIES.SAAB INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM IN EARLY FEBRUARY TO REPROGRAM THE ECM'S.SAAB REPORTED THAT 36% OF THE VEHICLES HAD BEEN SERVICED IN THE PROGRAM AS OF MARCH 9, 2004.THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND SAAB'S ACTIONS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.