NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
212 reports107,000 miles · Aug 14, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline
THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VER…
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THE VEHICLE WILL BECOME ALMOST IMMOBILE IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). ONCE IN THIRD GEAR, PERFORMANCE IS BACK TO NORMAL. IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE OF SITUATION (CRUISE LIGHT OFF IS ONLY INDICATION IF CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM IS TURNED ON), DRIVER CAN EASILY GET INTO BAD SITUATION AS CAR WILL NOT PERFORM AS USUAL (VERY SIGNIFICANT DEGRADATION OF PERFORMANCE). ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO RESET PROBLEM IS TO TURN THE KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE AND THE CONDITION WILL GO AWAY FOR AS LITTLE AS 10 MINUTES OR UP TO AS MUCH AS 2 HOURS OF DRIVING. IT IS SUSPECTED THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR MASS SENSOR AS REPLACING AIR MASS SENSOR WITH USED PART, PROBLEM DISAPPEARED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF DRIVER IS NOT AWARE AND TRIES TO MAKE A QUICK MANEUVER INVOLVING TIGHT TRAFFIC (LEFT TURN WHEN PERFORMANCE IS PARAMOUNT). WHATEVER THIS CONDITION IS THAT THE ELECTRONICS/ENGINE CONTROLS IS/ARE ENTERING IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER IN A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535307
87,000 miles · Apr 25, 2013
Seat Belts
MY 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
NHTSA ODI #10509534
90,000 miles · Nov 18, 2011
Electrical System
THE SAAB WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OPERATE AS DESIGNED, HOWEVER THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. THIS IS NOT A BATTERY OR STARTER PROBLEM. THE CAR DOES NOT MAKE ANY CRANKING SOUNDS OR STARTER CLICKS. RATHER, THERE IS NO ENGINE TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER WAITING F…
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THE SAAB WILL INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO START. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED IN THE IGNITION, ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OPERATE AS DESIGNED, HOWEVER THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. THIS IS NOT A BATTERY OR STARTER PROBLEM. THE CAR DOES NOT MAKE ANY CRANKING SOUNDS OR STARTER CLICKS. RATHER, THERE IS NO ENGINE TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER WAITING FOR 30 - 60 MINUTES, THE CAR WILL START AS IF THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WHATEVER. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH. THERE IS NO ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS NOT "RECREATABLE." IT IS 100% UNPREDICTABLE AS TO WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET FOR "SAAB 9-3 (OR S900) INTERMITTENT START" WILL RETURN THOUSANDS OF POSTS FROM DRIVERS DESCRIBING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. FIXES INCLUDE POURING WATER OR SNOW ON TOP OF THE NSS, DRILLING A HOLE IN THE DASHBOARD AND RUNNING A BY-PASS SWITCH TO THE STARTER, AND REPLACING THE NSS. DEALERSHIP WILL TRY TO REPLACE STARTERS, BATTERIES, ECT AND CLAIM THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THE NSS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436305
85,000 miles · Mar 15, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WAS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION , THEN FUEL PUMP HAD COMPLETE MALFUNCTION .... AFTER REPLACEMENT, ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RUN POORLY AND ALMOST ALWAYS STALLS DURING ACCELERATION. REPLACED IGNITION COIL , AND IT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM . I HAVE TALKED TO 4 OTHER SAAB 9-3 OWNERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND 2004 AND EVERY ONE HAS THE …
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VEHICLE WAS STALLING DURING ACCELERATION , THEN FUEL PUMP HAD COMPLETE MALFUNCTION .... AFTER REPLACEMENT, ENGINE HAS ALWAYS RUN POORLY AND ALMOST ALWAYS STALLS DURING ACCELERATION. REPLACED IGNITION COIL , AND IT DIDN'T FIX PROBLEM . I HAVE TALKED TO 4 OTHER SAAB 9-3 OWNERS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR AND 2004 AND EVERY ONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10391911
65,300 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND MESSAGE DISPLAY BOARD WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REFUSED TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,300.
NHTSA ODI #10389775
131,000 miles · Feb 5, 2011
Electrical SystemSeats
PASSENGER AND I WERE DRIVING AND ACTIVATED BOTH FRONT HEATED SEATS ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. SOON AFTER, BOTH OF US DETECTED A BURNING SMELL AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF BOTH HEATED SEATS. UPON ARRIVAL, WE EXITED AND VISUALLY OBSERVED A SMALL BURN MARK WHERE THE PASSENGER'S LEFT SHOULDER WOULD BE. IT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SIN…
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PASSENGER AND I WERE DRIVING AND ACTIVATED BOTH FRONT HEATED SEATS ON THE HIGHEST SETTING. SOON AFTER, BOTH OF US DETECTED A BURNING SMELL AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF BOTH HEATED SEATS. UPON ARRIVAL, WE EXITED AND VISUALLY OBSERVED A SMALL BURN MARK WHERE THE PASSENGER'S LEFT SHOULDER WOULD BE. IT BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER AND SINGED THE HAIR OF THE PASSENGER. THE BURN MARK IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL AND WE CAN NO LONGER USE THE HEATED SEAT FUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10380857
76,000 miles · Dec 7, 2010
Electrical System
1.) ALL THE WIRING ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING SINCE FEB 2009- CURRENTLY. 2.) MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR WIRING IS DYSFUNCTIONAL CAUSING MANY WIRING/ELECTRICAL ISSUE FAILURES TO OCCUR THROUGHOUT MY VEHICLE. -MY ALARM WILL GO OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS TO WHILE I AM AT WORK OR AT HOME SO I HAD TO UNPLUG MY HORN (WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND…
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1.) ALL THE WIRING ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING SINCE FEB 2009- CURRENTLY. 2.) MY 2003 SAAB 9-3 LINEAR WIRING IS DYSFUNCTIONAL CAUSING MANY WIRING/ELECTRICAL ISSUE FAILURES TO OCCUR THROUGHOUT MY VEHICLE. -MY ALARM WILL GO OFF WHENEVER IT WANTS TO WHILE I AM AT WORK OR AT HOME SO I HAD TO UNPLUG MY HORN (WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE I CAN'T USE MY HORN TO WARN PEOPLE OF AN ACCIDENT.) -ALSO, ON MY DISPLAY UNIT SHOWS "A RED NO PRESSURE" FOR MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SEAT WHICH HAS ME ALWAYS HAVING TO LEAVE IT BUCKLED WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE CAR IN ORDER FOR THE DISTRACTING LIGHT TO GO OFF. - MY RADIO WORKED FINE UNTIL MY BACK AMP COMPLETELY QUIT ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO FOR NO REASON. I NEVER PLAY MY MUSIC LOAD AND DO NOT USE BASE AND TO GET THIS FIXED WILL COST ME OVER $900. - THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE ALSO AFFECTED MY ELECTRICAL WINDOWS AS WELL. I WILL BE DRIVING AND PUT MY WINDOW DOWN AND IT WILL NOT GO BACK UP AND STICK TO WEAR I HAVE TO STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO MANUALLY PULL IT UP WITH MY HANDS. 3.) I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO HAVE THEM FIND OUT WHAT THE CORE ISSUE OF MY WIRING/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ARE AND THEY BOTH CAME BACK AND TOLD ME THAT THEY HOOKED MY VEHICLE UP TO THE COMPUTER BUT THEY CAN'T FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT? THIS IS VERY ODD BECAUSE I KNOW IT'S NOT MY IMAGINATION AND IT SEEMS LIKE EACH WEEK, SOMETHING GOES WRONG "ELECTRICAL" AND THE FACT THEY CAN NOT FIND THE SOURCE IS A LITTLE RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING IT'S A SAAB DEALER? THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH MY VEHICLES ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE HAVING THIS MANY ISSUES WITHIN A YEARS TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10369444
65,000 miles · Dec 2, 2010
Seat Belts
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 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
NHTSA ODI #10368691
49,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Seat Belts
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
NHTSA ODI #10362364
90,108 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING AN UNRELATED REPAIR PERFORMED AT THE DEALER WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED HAVING REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE AND SERVICE BRAKES. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT LOCATED TWO RECALLS FOR T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS HAVING AN UNRELATED REPAIR PERFORMED AT THE DEALER WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED HAVING REPAIRS TO THE ENGINE AND SERVICE BRAKES. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT PERFORMED. THE CONTACT LOCATED TWO RECALLS FOR THE REPAIRS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALER (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 04V540000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 05V236000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THAT CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED WITH EITHER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THEY WOULD SPEAK WITH THE DEALER TO DETERMINE IF THE REPAIR NEEDED WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPAIR LISTED IN THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL OR NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,180.
NHTSA ODI #10347355
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.
Illustration