Most common 2003 Saab 9-3 problems
Share of the 212 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 →
2003 Saab 9-3 recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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.
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.
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the engine management system software May cause engine hesitation or stalling.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management system. Owners May contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 4 possible defects involving the 2003 Saab 9-3:
Front suspension coil spring fracture
On August 28, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe08-051) to investigate alleged front suspension coil spring fractures in certain model year (my) 2003-2004 Saab 9-3 vehicles sold or registered in salt belt states.(note: for purposes of this investigation, the salt belt includes connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland,…
ENGINE STALL
The subject vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions and turbocharged engines with two different power outputs, 175 hp and 210 hp.Saab has modified the electonic control module (ECM) software in the subject vehicles to correct problems that could result in engine stall in both engines.
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.The engineering…
ENGINE STALL
On December 30, 2003, odi opened a preliminary evaluation (pe03-059) to investigate 16 complaints alleging engine stall while driving in model year 2003 Saab 9-3 sport sedans with 2.0l turbocharged engines.on January 15, 2004, general motors (GM) advised odi that GM and Saab had decided to conduct a global customer satisfaction campaign to correct two distinct engine management software conditions that could result…
What 2003 Saab 9-3 owners say
Electrical system all 46 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 30 MPH, smoke emitted underneath the hood. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact mentioned that smoke emitted from the battery compartment. There were no flames visible. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was contributed to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. After the vehicle was started, the steering wheel lock warning light illuminated and the doors of the vehicle failed to lock. On another occasion, the ignition key failed to move into the on position. A tow truck operator stated that the vehicle could not be moved because the wheels were locked. The vehicle was restarted; however, the contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Suspension all 42 →
Another front suspension coil spring failure on a Saab 9-3. On returning from a 2 week vacation I started the car in the airport parking lot and heard a clicking / rubbing noise from the front left wheel. I stopped and inspected the wheel and noted rust on the brake rotor and assumed that this was the cause of the noise and would wear off when the brakes were applied. Drove ~1/4 mile and stopped at a light before turning on to the interstate when I saw smoke coming from the wheel. Closer inspection revealed that the front left suspension coil spring had failed and the fractured spring was rubbing on the tire. The car was towed to the Saab dealer where the front springs were replaced and the damaged tire replaced. I have the failed spring hardware. …
Returned from 2 week vacation where car was parked in an outdoor airport parking lot. When car was put into reverse to back out of parking space, extra gas was required to start movement, then loud bang / pop and the car started to move. (sometimes after a rain, the disk brakes seem to rust / weld to the rotors and require extra effort to brake loose. But this bang / pop was louder than normal.) started to drive out of parking lot, then onto street to get onto interstate. Smelled rubber burning odor. Other drivers indicated white smoke coming from right wheel well area. Stopped to investigate and found right front suspension spring broken and cutting a groove in the side wall of tire. Car handled normally, so we were glad we hadn't entered interstate and gotten up to highway speed. Car towed to mechanic. …
Engine & cooling all 39 →
This is my second complaint. I had originally filed complaint 10041666 a few weeks ago. Now the problem with my Saab stalling has become worse. I was travel in traffic, when the vehicle stalled while in traffic. The engine stalling caused me to rear end the vehicle in front me. Which in turn caused a four car accident. There were no injuries reported, but now my problem is much more severe. I have contacted Saab about this problem (much like I did the first time) and noting is being done to help me. I am now stuck with a defective vehicle that stalls all the time, and is as far as I am concerned totally useless and a huge safety problem. The accident caused over $15000 in damage to my Saab alone, along with deployment of the air bags. I am really surprised that I was not killed or severely hurt in the accident. …
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. …
2003 Saab 9-3 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 20 / 29 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Saab 9-3 a good car?
Based on 212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 9-3 rates avoid: 2.8× as many complaints as a typical year of the 9-3 at the same age. It is one of the 9-3 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Saab 9-3?
The electrical system — 46 complaints, 22% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring › front underhood. Next are the suspension (42) and engine & cooling (39).
How many recalls does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2003 Saab 9-3, the most recent from March 7, 2007 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saab 9-3?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2011, 2010 and 2002. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2003, 2008, 2004 and 2007. See the full Saab 9-3 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Saab 9-3 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 49,000 miles; 51% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.