Model year record

2001 SAAB 9-3 recalls & problems

The 2001 SAAB 9-3 has 4 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (26 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints59filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineApr 20, 2006

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 06V12600011,886 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 MAY 12, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Electrical systemSep 14, 2005

Ignition › Module

Recall 05V399000103,202 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Fuel system, gasolineNov 19, 2004

Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 04V55700017,394 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsMay 18, 2001

Air bags

Recall 01V16800043,073 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Risk: THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

9-3 Viggen Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

9-3

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

9-3

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

9-3 Viggen

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

9-3

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

9-3

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Ignition	26	0	0	0	61,550 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	14	0	0	0	74,500 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Delivery › Fuel pump	13	0	0	0	64,440 mi
Air bags	4	1	0	3	—
SeatsFront assembly › Seat heater/cooler	2	0	1	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	0	—
SuspensionRear	1	0	0	0	—
Tires	1	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, otherDelivery › Fuel pump	1	0	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch	1	0	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	0	0	0	—
Power train	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel system, gasoline
The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Nov 20, 2024 · 150,000 miles
Air bags1 injury
unexpected and unrequested deployment of driver side seat air bag. i was driving the vehicle at a speed of 0-5mph attempting to back the vehicle into a parking spot when the driver seat air bag deployed. a report was made with the local police department. no indicator or failure lights were present, the vehicle is able to be inspected at this time for further information. It is unknown about any other inspections by anyone other than the local police department.
Oct 11, 2021
Air bags1 injury
I left my home with my daughter in the afternoon to go to the bank and hardware store. I drove to the bank to make a deposit. We had to wait for quite awhile in the drive-through line at the bank, so I turned off my engine a couple of times rather than having the car idle. After making the deposit at the bank, I pulled out of the bank lot and began driving to the hardware store. I had driven for about two minutes and was driving along at approximately 25-30 miles an hour, and suddenly there was a terrible explosion at my left ear and massive pain in my left arm. I thought the car had been shot at and my arm hit. I was terrified we were still being shot at and looked at my daughter whose…
May 10, 2021
Air bags
NO INCIDENT
Mar 4, 2020
Fuel/propulsion system
EXCESSIVE LEAKING. WAS DRIVING ON E-WAY AND ENGINE STOPPED OR SOMETHING OCCURED WHERE IT SOUNDED AS IF THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE BATTERY WAS WORKING BUT, WHEN I PRESSED ON ACCELERATOR IT DIDN'T PROPEL FORWARD. I CAREFULLY STEERED WITH HAZARD LIGHTS TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. IGNITION CRANKS BUT, CAR WON'T TURN OVER. REPLACED DIRECT IGNITION COIL, CRANKSHAFT SENSOR BUT, ISSUE SEEMS TO BE THE FUEL PUMP. A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THIS: RECALL 06V126000 AFFECTED CARS SAAB 9-3 2001 ENGINE, MAY 12, 2006 ORIGINAL RECALL FROM THE NHTSA MANUFACTURER'S REPORT DATE MAY 12, 2006 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER RQ05003 POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 11,886 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V126000 COMPONENT FUEL SYSTEM,…
Feb 5, 2019 · 119,800 miles
Electronic stability control (esc)
WHEN I CHANGED THE BATTERY OF THE CAR KEY, ITS DOORS AND TRUNK STOPPED LOCK AND UNLOCK. THE BELT OF THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN ALSO. I REPLACED ALSO THE FUEL TANK.
Aug 25, 2016 · 114,000 miles
Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHILE THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 186,000.
Jan 1, 2016 · 186,000 miles
Air bagsCrash1 injury
TL * THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DRIVER DIED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS 40-45 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 09/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE 7 YEAR OLD PASSENGER WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE A PILLAR AS WELL AS THE ROOF CAVED IN. POLICE DETERMINED VEHICLE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. UPDATED 1/13/2015 *JS
Oct 9, 2010 · 92,800 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL LINE LEAKAGEClosedLed to recall 06V126000
ON NOVEMBER 19, 2004 GM NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS IN APPROXIMATELY 17,400 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 SAAB 9-3 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE UUSIKAUPUNKI, FINLAND ASSEMBLY PLANT BETWEEN MAY 2000 AND JULY 2002 (GM RECALL NO. 14101, NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-557).ACCORDING TO GM, PLASTIC FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS FOR SOME OF THE 9-3 VEHICLES BUILT AT THE FINLAND PLANT.GM INDICATED THAT, OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULDCAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.THE RECALLED VEHICLES WERE FITTED WITH A SECURING BRACKET TO HOLD THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THERETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. RQ05-003 WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS OF FUEL PUMP RETAINING…
RQ05003 · opened Dec 20, 2005 · closed Apr 28, 2006
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESClosedLed to recall 05V399000
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE.DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.THE COMPLAINT DATA REPRESENTS INCIDENTS WHERE THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED A STALL OR FIRE.ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON 95,081 MY 2000-2002 SAAB 9-3 AND 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND 8,117 MY 2001 9-5 VEHICLES WITH 6- CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES (RECALL 05V-399).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN THESE POPULATIONS MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE…
PE05017 · opened Apr 7, 2005 · closed Sep 23, 2005