Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 failure ,and refused to purchase back the vehicle. Also, the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally. On March 16, 2007, the vehicle was parked and accelerated without warning and drove into a cement wall. After the recent failure Saab's diagnosis was to replace the fuel pump. However, the failure continued to occur. The contact was injured while being three months pregnant. The air bags deployed, and there was severe damage to the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were 57,000.
I would like to report a very dangerous situation that I experienced with my 2003 9-3. After about a 40 mile drive on the freeway, I , along with my wife and daughter, pulled into my friends driveway and heard a loud scrapping noise from beneath my car. I looked underneath the car to find that the right fuel tank strap was hanging down and was only 3 or 4 inches from the ground. The forward bolt had loosened completely out and the fuel pump wiring harness (which attaches to the strap) is keeping it from being even closer to the ground. Also the tank itself is hanging about 3 inches lower on the right side. Luckily the bracket for the harness had a bolt retaining washer because the bolt was still there, hanging on to the end of the flopping strap. My friend (a mechanic by trade) and I applied loctite to the bolt and refastened it. …
The vehicle will become almost immobile in first and second gear (manual transmission). Once in third gear, performance is back to normal. If driver is not aware of situation (cruise light off is only indication if cruise control system is turned on), driver can easily get into bad situation as car will not perform as usual (very significant degradation of performance). All that is needed to reset problem is to turn the key off and restart the engine and the condition will go away for as little as 10 minutes or up to as much as 2 hours of driving. It is suspected that this problem could be associated with the air mass sensor as replacing air mass sensor with used part, problem disappeared for several months. This condition could cause a serious safety issue if driver is not aware and tries to make a quick maneuver involving tight traffic (left turn when performance is paramount). …
My Saab has had a litany of problems since I have owned the car. It all started with little items. Ignition wouldn't start the car. Head lights burnt out. Dash peeling, door handles discoloring, emergency brake getting stuck and being able to operate my car. Engine warning light because my gas cap wasn't on correct. Steering wheel locking while I was driving. Wheel lock light remaining on while I was driving. Brakes replaced due to factory retro fit. Seat belts being recalled. Computer constantly needing to be replaced so the car would function. Electronic key failing so I couldn't start my car. My car is a 5 speed and the shifter handle has an continues to come off in my hand. A minimum of 3 fuses needing to be replaced. The dash board goes blank at times showing no functions of the car. Window wouldn't go up or down and required the regulator to be replaced. Erractic idle. …
The consumer was able to remove the key from the ignition switch while the vehicle was still running. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer replaced the ignition module. The repairs worked fine for two weeks, then the problem recurred. The fuel pump was replaced, the fog and head lights would go out once a month, the traction control was not working properly, the seat belts did not recoil to provide security for the passengers, the clutch pedal did not have the proper pressure when applied, the engine would not "spin over," there was a blown fuel pump fuse, the driver window was inoperative, the sunroof deflector did not collapse when closing the glass causing the glass to re-open on it's own, the driver door panel did not fit the flush to the door panel, the radio and the OnStar feature did not work.
No warning or signs of anything wrong... One day I am driving down the highway and taking an exit, when my car stalls out on me at 90km and hour, I almost hit the guard rail. This has happened 7 times in the last month where my car has stalled out on me. This happens when I am in neutral and depressing the brake. I took the car to Saab for service, and they said nothing is wrong with the car and let me drive it home. Tonight I almost killed a child on a bike as I slid to a stop after my car stalled on me again. I do not understand how Saab can let someone drive their car home when reporting such a serious problem. Please contact me as soon as possible!
As I was driving in the middle lane of the 3 northbound lanes of U.S. 23, the engine suddenly stalled. I was going about 62 MPH. I activated my emergency flashers, shifted the automatic transmission to neutral, and shut off the ignition key. I then turned the ignition key to restart the engine and it restarted. This is about the 5th time this has happened in the past 5 months. This vehicle should be included in gms ignition recall!!!
Dt*: the contact stated fuel was noticed leaking from the vehicle while traveling 65 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the dealership where it was determined road debris punctured the tank. The fuel tank does not have any protection from debris. The fuel tank was replaced. Updated 06/15/06 - dealer diagnosed and dropped gas tank . Swapped over fuel pump assembly to new gas tank.
The consumer experienced many problems with 2003 Saab 9-3 linear as engine failure light appear and ect. There were repeated problems with the sun roof remaining stuck open, stability control problems, low front head beam, getting air to the gas cap, the mud flap was cracked, and on one occasion when driving up a hill the consumer lost control of the steering.
2003 Saab 9-3 se conv (73K mikes at time of incident while driving 65 MPH on highway car suddeenly quit running direct ignition cassette failed and ruined catalytic converter and o2 sensors Saab forced to recall this part up to year 2002. My 2003 is old Saab body style with defective di cassette. Part number on cassete is from the 2002 and earlier model years.
Related recalls
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.
Fuel System complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Saab 9-3, 9% of the model year's 212 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saab 9-3 fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-087 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Mar 7, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Saab 9-3 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.