2003 Saab 9-3 brakes problems

The 2003 Saab 9-3 has 23 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Brakes complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

9-3 brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-3 brakes — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-3 brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 05V236000.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.