2002 SAAB 9-3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
52
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 SAAB 9-3
The 2002 SAAB 9-3 has received a total of 52 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by SAAB CARS USA, INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (10 complaints), Electrical Systemignitionmodule (5 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 SAAB 9-3
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 2002 SAAB 9-3, potentially affecting up to 216,339 vehicles.
Recall 07V087000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 94,377 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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 -...
View full details →Recall 05V399000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
| 103,202 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Consequence: OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING...
View full details →Recall 04V557000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 17,394 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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 MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
View full details →Recall 01V314000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
| 1,366 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.
Consequence: THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 SAAB 9-3
52 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 SAAB 9-3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.
The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.
The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.
The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT, THE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF SAAB VEHICLES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V318000 (SEAT BELTS). THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL WAS ONLY RELATED TO 2004-2011 MODELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH MAYORS SAAB (6001 NORTHERN BOULEVARD, WOODSIDE, NY 11377, (718) 274-2300) AND JIM ELLIS AUDI OF MARIETTA (1715 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060-9253, 770-590-4450) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
Safety Rating for the 2002 SAAB 9-3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 SAAB 9-3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 SAAB 9-3
SAAB CARS USA, INC. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 2002 SAAB 9-3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2102357 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 15411 REGARDING OIL LEAKAGE AT THE OIL THERMOSTAT PLUG. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 SAAB 9-3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 9-3
- 1998 SAAB 9-3 — 0 complaints
- 1999 SAAB 9-3 — 80 complaints
- 2000 SAAB 9-3 — 72 complaints
- 2001 SAAB 9-3 — 74 complaints
- 2002 SAAB 9-3 (current)
- 2003 SAAB 9-3 — 323 complaints
- 2004 SAAB 9-3 — 236 complaints
- 2005 SAAB 9-3 — 114 complaints
- 2006 SAAB 9-3 — 227 complaints
- 2007 SAAB 9-3 — 182 complaints