VehicleVerdict

2003 Saab 9-3 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 323 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.2 times the median 9-3 year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 14 9-3 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 25 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (57), suspension (45), and engine (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

323

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

4

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

25

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other 9-3 years?

9-3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted323 complaints1994: 1 complaints1999: 80 complaints2000: 72 complaints2001: 74 complaints2002: 52 complaints2003: 323 complaints2004: 236 complaints2005: 114 complaints2006: 227 complaints2007: 182 complaints2008: 218 complaints2009: 46 complaints2010: 31 complaints2011: 33 complaints
9-3 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9-3 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Saab 9-3 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5718%
Suspension4514%
Engine3912%
Transmission3210%
Brakes237%
Steering206%
Fuel System206%
Airbags155%
Lighting134%
Seat Belts124%
Tires & Wheels113%
Body & Structure93%
Visibility & Wipers93%
Speed Control62%
Other52%
Seats41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)21%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11E009000Fuel SystemFebruary 28, 2011 · 4,887 units

Defect

TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Consequence

A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.

Remedy

TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

07V087000Fuel SystemMarch 7, 2007 · 94,377 units

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 - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

05V236000BrakesMay 19, 2005 · 68,654 units

Defect

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

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.

04V540000EngineOctober 20, 2004 · 12,249 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.

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.

04V226000Seat BeltsMay 11, 2004 · 31,335 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WHILE DRIVING OWNER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE. OWNER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WENT INTO THE DEPARTMENT STORE TO SHOP. WHEN THE OWNER RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE FIRE TRUCKS WERE OUTSIDE EXTINGUISHING THE FLAMES. IT APPEARED THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 23, 2005 · fire

“COIL SPRING FAILED ON 2003 SAAB 9-3 PUNCTURING TIRE AND CAUSING CAR TO CROSS CENTER LINE OF ROADWAY. HAD THERE BEEN ANY ONCOMING TRAFFIC, THIS COIL SPRING INDUCED TIRE BLOWOUT MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A HEAD-ON FRONTAL COLLISION ON A BUSY TWO-LANE STATE HIGHWAY. HAD THIS BEEN ON AN INTERSTATE OR OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 29, 2009

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 93 SAAB. THE ENGINE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING, AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE THE STEERING FUNCTION WAS LOST AS WELL. THE ONSTAR INDICATOR READ THAT THE STEERING AND ENGINE WERE MALFUNCTIONING. ON EIGHTEEN OCCASIONS THE SAAB DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 16, 2007 · crash

“SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I HAVE A 2003 SAAB 9-3 ARC, BOUGHT ON 9/03, AROUND 13,000 MILES, YESTERDAY I WENT TO OFFICE AND STOPPED IN THE RIGHT POSITION TO PARK IN FRONT OF THE WALL, I STEPPED ON BRAKE, PUSH THE GEAR TO "P", ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTED "HOWLING", AND ACCELERATED TO HIT THE WALL,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 28, 2004 · crash

“DT: FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS WORE OUT COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF BRAKE DUST THE LAST 10,000 MILES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CALLED THREE TIMES AND THEY SAID THIS WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 3, 2004

2003 Saab 9-3 — common questions

Is the 2003 Saab 9-3 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 323 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 14 9-3 years. It is one of the 9-3 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 9-3 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (57 complaints), suspension (45 complaints), engine (39 complaints).

Does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Saab 9-3. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Saab 9-3 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9-3 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9-3 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2010. The cleanest record among 9-3 years belongs to 1994.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.