2003 Saab 9-3 Suspension Problems

Which parts fail

• Front
  27
• Front › Springs › Coil springs
  8
• Rear
  3
• Rear › Shock absorber
  1
• Front › Stabilizer bar
  1

Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  26%
• 25k–50k
  719%
• 50k–75k
  1439%
• 75k–100k
  1028%
• 100k–150k
  26%
• 150k+
  13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Saab 9-3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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. …

On 8/2/09, I was driving my vehicle when suddenly there was a loud bang. Car pulled to the extreme right with a strong odor of burning rubber. Luckily was able to gain control without hitting anyone and stopped the vehicle. It was quite obvious the front of the car was lower than the back. The smell of rubber was from the spring going into the front passenger tire. The vehicle was towed to a local garage where it was discovered the front passenger spring broke & ate into the front tire. It also pulled out the struts & broke the bracket/top as well. I was very satisfied with Saab until this. Car is 6 years old, well maintained with only 56,700 miles. This incident has certainly made me apprehensive especially when I did research an found there has been a rash of broken front passenger springs reported, yet no recalls. …

Leased 2003 Saab 9-3 ARC on 9/26 and this is my second complaint (10051379) and I still have not heard from Saab customer care regarding their fixing the loud right rear rattling/knocking noise. I have called numerous times with no call back. I now have two more problems... The car hesitates, sputters and almost stalls... The dealer increased the idle and that was the fix... I do not feel safe when starting off from a stop or driving in stop and go traffic. Also the transmission is shifting hard between gears between 10 and 30 mphs... It started a few days ago and is becoming more prevalent as each day passes..both these problems along with the loud rattling/knocking noise from right rear that dealer says is normal tell me that this car has problems that Saab doesn't want to deal with and that is not right.

1. There is a distinct sound when the vehicle goes over bumps, it rattles on the driver side, strut. Brought it to a Saab dealership they can't find the problem. Brought it to a small shop, they replaced the dust covers on the front struts and after bringing it back six times for the same problem they can't find the problem. Both shops state that the struts are just fine. Rattles like the strut is ready to fall off. Have no more idea where to go. Saab dealership states that it's supposed to sound like that because of a sport sedan. I don't believe it. Battery draw. Draws battery dead after two days letting it sit. Brought it to authorized Saab dealership they can't find a draw. Brought it to small shop, they found a draw of 1amp. After three new batteries, still draws and dead battery.

I have also been having issues with the front passenger side suspension. I would have to check my records, but I believe it started when the car had about 25K miles on it. The springs are still in tact, but I would notice a very loud creaking noise going over speed bumps in parking lots, especially in cold temperatures. I brought it to the attention of the dealership while it was still under warranty and they did not offer any resolution. After reading the large number of complaints of broken springs, I now know why I am afraid to drive this car on the freeway. I would really like to get this fixed under a recall before it causes an accident and someone gets seriously injured or killed.

Driving down street at 30 MPH. Left side front spring broke. Spring stuck out and shredded tire. Left side of car dropped, which then caused right side spring to come off and cut right side tire. Had to replace both front spring / strut assemblies, and replace 2 tires. Researched problem, found that GM manufactured these cars in 2003 - 2006 and was offering a warranty to fix this problem. My Saab is several months past the warranty dates but not the mileage limit. However, my understanding is that the original parts were faulty or defective. Very dangerous, as if car were traveling faster it could have been a serious accident. I would hope GM would correct or pay for a true safety issue.

No accident or anything yet, but according to a forum I follow, {Saab central} there are alot of people experiencing front coil spring failure on 2003 Saab 9-3.this on cars with under 100,000 miles. Don't have to tell you that this could be bad news if the broken spring punched into the tire at speed. To me, having to replace coil springs as a maintenance item every 70000 miles is unacceptable. I will have my 03 Saab up on jack stands to check out the springs as best as I can, but this is the type of failure you can not really see until it is to late. I have no way of checking for metal fatigue. Hopefully, this is a problem you can move on before someone gets hurt.

My 2003 Saab 9-3 linear with 79,500 miles. Driving on average road when hearing a pop. After further investigation (as rattling continued for some time afterwards) the front, driver-side coil spring has broken. While the piece has not (yet) popped out into my tire, any further driving risks doing so and bursting a tire as well. Am waiting for Saab dealership to order this part. This seems to be a common problem, as indicated by many online forums and your website. Http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155844&highlight=broke+spring&page=1 http://www.saabsunited.com/2009/05/are-Saab-having-issues-with-springs.html.

2003 Saab 9-3 ARC. Started car and smelled tire burning, drove around building, checked tires -- all 4 looked fine, checked, drove about 1 mile and right front tire blew. Had aaa change tire, and was shown it blew from the inside. Took vehicle to costco for tire replacement. Was informed that the spring coil broke (was handed about a 6 inch piece) and that was what blew through the tire. Car was towed to the Saab dealership and both springs were replaced. The left front is very eroded from rust and also appears ready to break. Consequences - 2 new tires, 2 new front coil springs and a tow.

NHTSA investigations

Suspension complaints in other 9-3 years