IllustrationHIT CONCRETE WALL
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
Suspension complaints
42 reportsCOIL SPRING BROK CAUSED TIRE TO COME OFF TURNDED SIDEWAYS UNDER FIREWALL CAUSING US TO CRASH INTO CONCRETE BARRIER
I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION. I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK MY RECORDS, BUT I BELIEVE IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25K MILES ON IT. THE SPRINGS ARE STILL IN TACT, BUT I WOULD NOTICE A VERY LOUD CREAKING NOISE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS IN PARKING LOTS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I BRO…
Read full complaint
I HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION. I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK MY RECORDS, BUT I BELIEVE IT STARTED WHEN THE CAR HAD ABOUT 25K MILES ON IT. THE SPRINGS ARE STILL IN TACT, BUT I WOULD NOTICE A VERY LOUD CREAKING NOISE GOING OVER SPEED BUMPS IN PARKING LOTS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP WHILE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY RESOLUTION. AFTER READING THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF BROKEN SPRINGS, I NOW KNOW WHY I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON THE FREEWAY. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET THIS FIXED UNDER A RECALL BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR
DRIVING DOWN STREET AT 30 MPH. LEFT SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE. SPRING STUCK OUT AND SHREDDED TIRE. LEFT SIDE OF CAR DROPPED, WHICH THEN CAUSED RIGHT SIDE SPRING TO COME OFF AND CUT RIGHT SIDE TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING / STRUT ASSEMBLIES, AND REPLACE 2 TIRES. RESEARCHED PROBLEM, FOUND THAT GM MANUFACTURED THESE CARS IN…
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN STREET AT 30 MPH. LEFT SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE. SPRING STUCK OUT AND SHREDDED TIRE. LEFT SIDE OF CAR DROPPED, WHICH THEN CAUSED RIGHT SIDE SPRING TO COME OFF AND CUT RIGHT SIDE TIRE. HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRING / STRUT ASSEMBLIES, AND REPLACE 2 TIRES. RESEARCHED PROBLEM, FOUND THAT GM MANUFACTURED THESE CARS IN 2003 - 2006 AND WAS OFFERING A WARRANTY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY SAAB IS SEVERAL MONTHS PAST THE WARRANTY DATES BUT NOT THE MILEAGE LIMIT. HOWEVER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ORIGINAL PARTS WERE FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE. VERY DANGEROUS, AS IF CAR WERE TRAVELING FASTER IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WOULD HOPE GM WOULD CORRECT OR PAY FOR A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
THIS IS ON A 2003 SAAB 9-3 2.0T LINEAR MODEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL IS VERY MUCH THERE. MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT AND HEAR A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. SHE PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I ARRIVED ON SCENE, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE…
Read full complaint
THIS IS ON A 2003 SAAB 9-3 2.0T LINEAR MODEL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES THIS TIME BUT THE POTENTIAL IS VERY MUCH THERE. MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT FROM A STOP LIGHT AND HEAR A LOUD POP FOLLOWED BY A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. SHE PULLED OFF IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I ARRIVED ON SCENE, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL. WHEN I REMOVED THE TIRE I FOUND THAT THE SPRING HAD BROKEN IN TWO (THE BOTTOM LAST RING BROKE OFF) AND HAD DROPPED DOWN TO WHERE THE JAGGED END (STILL ATTACHED/WRAPPED AROUND THE SHOCK) WAS POKING INTO THE TIRE. IT HAD LEFT A RELATIVELY DEEP GOUGE ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. I AM SURE I DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE SPRING WERE TO BREAK ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH AND PUNCTURE THE TIRE. I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE KEPT DRIVING ANY DISTANCE THAT THE SPRING WOULD HAVE DUG ITS WAY THROUGH THE SIDE WALL AND PUNCTURED IT. REMEMBER, WE CANT ALWAYS JUST PULL OFF THE INTERSTATE OR STOP AT THE DROP OF A HAT. IF YOU HAVE EVER DRIVEN THROUGH ATLANTA YOU WILL KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE ;) ANYWAY, WENT DIGGING ON THE INTERNET TRYING TO PURCHASE REPLACEMENT SPRINGS AND FOUND OUT THAT SAAB HAD ISSUED A SPECIAL WARRANTY FOR SPRING FAILURES ON SOME OF THE 9-3'S (INCLUDING MINE). APPARENTLY,SAAB IS AWARE THAT ROAD DEBRIS CAN GET JAMMED IN THE SPRING MOUNT AND EAT AT THE COATING AWAY ON THE BOTTOM COIL AND ALLOW CORROSION TO WORK ITS MAGIC RESULTING IN THE SPRINGS BREAKING/FAILING. SO, I CALL SAAB. THEY TELL ME THAT I AM NOT COVERED BECAUSE I DO NOT LIVE IN WHAT THEY CONSIDER TO BE THE SNOW BELT. WHICH IS THE UPPER/MORE NORTHERN STATES. THEY TELL ME THAT THE FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED MORE IN THESE STATES AND IT IS DUE TO ROAD SALTING. FURTHERMORE, I AM TOLD THAT THEY ARE ONLY REPLACING THE SPRINGS AFTER THEY HAVE FAILED. AS THESE CARS START TO GET SOME AGE ON THEM, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO START SEEING MORE AND MORE OF THESE FAILURES. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE DYING FOR THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL CAMPAIGN? *TR
NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. PASSENGER FRONT SPRING BROKE AT 71,000 MILES. BROKE PREVIOUSLY AT 35,000 MILES. CURRENT BRAKE AT 71,000, BROKEN SPRING DUG INTO PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING TO THE LEFT. SPRINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE 35,000 MILE FAILURE. SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE REPL…
Read full complaint
NO EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE. PASSENGER FRONT SPRING BROKE AT 71,000 MILES. BROKE PREVIOUSLY AT 35,000 MILES. CURRENT BRAKE AT 71,000, BROKEN SPRING DUG INTO PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND PREVENT THE CAR FROM STEERING TO THE LEFT. SPRINGS WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AFTER THE 35,000 MILE FAILURE. SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED WITH AFTERMARKET PARTS AFTER THE 71,000 FILE FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED BECAUSE OF THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO OFFER $100.00 TOWARDS THE COST FOR REP…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR FAILED BECAUSE OF THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. THE MANUFACTURER WANTED TO OFFER $100.00 TOWARDS THE COST FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000.
PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SPRING BROKE ABOUT 4" UP FROM THE BOTTOM. CAR MILEAGE APPRX. 75K. PROBLEM WAS INDICATED BY CLUNKING NOISE AND ODDNESS IN THE STEERING. *TR
RETURNED FROM 2 WEEK VACATION WHERE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN OUTDOOR AIRPORT PARKING LOT. WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE, EXTRA GAS WAS REQUIRED TO START MOVEMENT, THEN LOUD BANG / POP AND THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE. (SOMETIMES AFTER A RAIN, THE DISK BRAKES SEEM TO RUST / WELD TO THE ROTORS AND REQUIRE EXTR…
Read full complaint
RETURNED FROM 2 WEEK VACATION WHERE CAR WAS PARKED IN AN OUTDOOR AIRPORT PARKING LOT. WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE, EXTRA GAS WAS REQUIRED TO START MOVEMENT, THEN LOUD BANG / POP AND THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE. (SOMETIMES AFTER A RAIN, THE DISK BRAKES SEEM TO RUST / WELD TO THE ROTORS AND REQUIRE EXTRA EFFORT TO BRAKE LOOSE. BUT THIS BANG / POP WAS LOUDER THAN NORMAL.) STARTED TO DRIVE OUT OF PARKING LOT, THEN ONTO STREET TO GET ONTO INTERSTATE. SMELLED RUBBER BURNING ODOR. OTHER DRIVERS INDICATED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM RIGHT WHEEL WELL AREA. STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BROKEN AND CUTTING A GROOVE IN THE SIDE WALL OF TIRE. CAR HANDLED NORMALLY, SO WE WERE GLAD WE HADN'T ENTERED INTERSTATE AND GOTTEN UP TO HIGHWAY SPEED. CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. HE SAID ONLY RIGHT SIDE HAD PHYSICALLY BROKEN, BUT FELT THE LEFT SIDE WAS ABOUT TO BREAK ALSO. HE REPLACED BOTH LEFT / RIGHT STRUTS, SPRINGS, BRACKET, SUPPORT STRUTS, SWAY BAR LINKS AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE. *TR
2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR. OEM FRONT SPRING BROKEN (PASSENGER SIDE). NOTICED WHEN DOING BRAKES ONE DAY. NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OR ANY PROPERTY, BUT STILL A HUGE PROBLEM. *TR
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.