2003 SAAB 9-3 Power Train Problems
5 NHTSA complaints on file
Power Train Issues in the 2003 SAAB 9-3
5 power train complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 SAAB 9-3. Of these, 0 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 0 resulted in injury.
5
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Power Train Complaints
ECU IN CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY FRIED BECAUSE OF THE LOCATION IT IS MOUNTED FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE OF HEAT SOAK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VALVE COVER GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000. ...UPDATED 01/07/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING TRAFFIC FROM THE DRIVEWAY, IT MOVES OUT OF GEAR, AND THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT...
AS I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE 3 NORTHBOUND LANES OF U.S. 23, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. I WAS GOING ABOUT 62 MPH. I ACTIVATED MY EMERGENCY FLASHERS, SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO NEUTRAL, AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION KEY. I THEN TURNED THE IGNITION KEY TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT RESTARTED. THIS IS ABOUT THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN GMS IGNITION RECALL!!! *TR
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...
2003 SAAB 9-3 BRAKES DOES NOT STOP VEHICLE WHEN DEPRESSED. *TS THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE BRAKING. THE BRAKES WERE TESTED BUT THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD WHILE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *NM
Other 2003 SAAB 9-3 Problem Areas
Electrical System
36 complaints
Suspensionfront
27 complaints
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
23 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling
15 complaints
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
14 complaints
Air Bags
12 complaints
Steering
11 complaints
Suspensionfrontspringscoil Springs
8 complaints
Engine
7 complaints
Exterior Lightingheadlights
7 complaints
Parking Brake
7 complaints
Seat Belts
7 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
5 complaints
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
4 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
4 complaints
Electrical Systemignition
3 complaints
Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryfuel Pump
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
3 complaints
Seat Beltsfrontretractor
3 complaints
Steeringcolumn Lockinganti Theft Device
3 complaints
Suspensionrear
3 complaints
Unknown Or Other
3 complaints
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
3 complaints
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
2 complaints
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
2 complaints
Electrical Systemwiring
2 complaints
Equipment
2 complaints
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
2 complaints
Equipmentelectrical
2 complaints
Exterior Lighting
2 complaints
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
2 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyseat Heatercooler
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
2 complaints
Steeringcolumn
2 complaints
Steeringelectric Power Assist System
2 complaints
Structure
2 complaints
Structurebody
2 complaints
Structurebodydoor
2 complaints
Structurebodytrunk Lid
2 complaints
Air Bagssidewindow
1 complaint
Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert
1 complaint
Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel
1 complaint
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
1 complaint
Electronic Stability Control Esc
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlgas Recirculation Valve Egr Valve
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
1 complaint
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinecarburetor System
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assembly
1 complaint
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblymounting
1 complaint
Fuel System Other
1 complaint
Fuel System Otherstoragefuel Gauge System
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmissionparkneutral Start Interlock Switch
1 complaint
Power Trainaxle Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainclutch Assembly
1 complaint
Power Trainmanual Transmissioncolumn Shift Assembly
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilock
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airdisc
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings
1 complaint
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
1 complaint
Steeringrack And Pinion
1 complaint
Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields
1 complaint
Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar
1 complaint
Suspensionrearshock Absorber
1 complaint
Tiressidewall
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilityrearview Mirrorsdevicesexterior
1 complaint
Wheels
1 complaint
Wheelshub
1 complaint