1999 Saab 9-3 Problems & Complaints

Most common 1999 Saab 9-3 problems

• Electrical system~73,000 miles
  2633%
• Air bags~122,000 miles
  2126%
• Seat belts~114,000 miles
  79%
• Wheels & tires
  68%
• A/C & heater~60,000 miles
  68%
• Engine & cooling~60,000 miles
  68%
• Suspension~48,000 miles
  56%
• Transmission & drivetrain~62,000 miles
  45%
• Steering
  34%
• Seats
  23%
• Fuel & propulsion system~76,000 miles
  23%
• Locks & latches
  11%
• Speed control & acceleration
  11%
• Equipment & accessories
  11%
• Brakes~62,000 miles
  11%
• Other / not specified
  11%

Share of the 80 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Saab 9-3 complaints by model year

Best 9-3 years: 2011, 2010, 2002. Years to avoid: 2003, 2008, 2004, 2007. Compare all years →

1999 Saab 9-3 recalls (3)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1999 Saab 9-3:

What 1999 Saab 9-3 owners say

Electrical system all 26 →

While driving at freeway speeds for about 20 minutes, my 1999 Saab 9-3 experienced a loss of power and the engine stopped running. There was no warning of a probem until a single "clunking noise" was detected and then there was no power in 5th or 4th gear. By the time I downshifted to 3rd gear, the engine had stalled and the check engine, battery/alternator, and oil pressure warning lights lit. The car was not able to be resarted. I was able to bring the car to the distress lane and summon help (911). The car needed to be towed for repairs. The local Saab dealer determined the ignition discharge module (idm) had failed (burned up). The dealer also informed me of a recent recall (I believe it's 05v-399) for the 2000 - 2002 model years and that perhaps the idm on my car had a similar defect. …

In the couple of months previous to this incident, my vehicle's check engine light has come on three times, stayed on for a day or two, and then shut off. Each time the light came on (first it blinks, then remains steady until turning itself off) I experienced what I thought was some kind of ignition failure. On the morning of the incident, I was traveling in the passing lane heading north/east on route 365 from verona to rome, ny when I experienced a complete ignition failure. The check engine light came on (first blinking, then steady) and I had complete loss of power. I moved the vehicle to the right lane preparing to coast to a stop on the shoulder, but the vehicle regained power after about 15 seconds and I continued on. The check engine light remained illuminated until it shut itself off later in the day as I was returning home (a two and one half hour trip). …

Air bags all 21 →

While parked, I put my key in the ignition and started the car. My passenger side side impact airbag deployed/exploded upon engine starting. I suffered a concussion, tinnitus, and inner ear damage from the airbag exploding. Took car to a GM dealership with a Saab technician to have car diagnosed to explain why the airbag deployed/exploded. No diagnosis made. But they did read error code saying airbag sensor communication failure after airbag deployed/exploded. No warning lights were lit prior to incident. There were no service codes prior to incident either. (I had car checked 1 week prior to incident)

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the driver side air bag erroneously deployed without warning or impact. The contact indicated that the vehicle had not crashed or driven over a road bump when the deployment occurred. The driver sustained an injured right arm, shoulder, and torso, which did not require medical attention. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 154,000.

Seat belts

The driver of the 1999 Saab 9-3 was driving in the left lane on ma rte. 128 south. Her son was in a child carseat tightly belted into the driver's side passenger seat, the seat directly behind the driver. The switch on the belt buckle was set to the "child seat" setting. The driver signaled and began to change lanes to the middle lane which was clear of traffic. As she was shifting lanes, another vehicle, a light-colored sedan, began to move sharply into the middle lane from the right. The driver was forced to swerve to the left to avoid collision with the other vehicle, and her car went out of control. The car went off the road to the left and hit the guardrail in a front-end collision. The driver was thrown forward but was wearing her seatbelt, which held her. Her airbag did not inflate. …

Twisted seat belts; front and rear on numerous occasions. The dealership has untwisted these belts on numerous occasions. In a few cases, it was only a matter of weeks before I had to return to have them untwisted again. The dealership was also very forthcoming informing me that this is a ongoing occurence in this Saab model. I cannot see why they have not been recalled, since Saab knows of their faulty design. They are unsafe, and I cannot see how they will function properly in an accident.

1999 Saab 9-3 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.