Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Sudden acceleration. I have a 2003 Saab 9-3 ARC, bought on 9/03, around 13,000 miles, yesterday I went to office and stopped in the right position to park in front of the wall, I stepped on brake, push the gear to "p", all of a sudden the engine started "howling", and accelerated to hit the wall, I m pretty sure that's not the human error, 'cause the gear's in park, and my foot stepped on brake( I have more than 20 years driving experience, to park a car is like normal reaction), I walk out the car, there're two short tire burn mark( if I m not stepped on brake, why does it have the burn mark), so I called my car dealer, they towed the car and try to find out the problem, but it come out the result is nothing wrong with the car! I really want to know if there're anybody has the experiences. …
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. …
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. …
Abruptly, at 53,000 miles, the transmission failed. Dealer could not explain why, except to cite various "codes." dealer said they do not check those codes at the 45,000 mile interval. Saab refused to do anything about it, even after a polite appeal. Apparently, Saab doesn't value me as a customer, and refuses to admit that they have any blame. Estimated dealer cost, including tax, is about $7,500. I have always meticulously maintained my Saab. A transmission that fails at 53,000 miles (on the highway, creating a safety issue) on its own, with no advance warning, is obviously defective. I am a 4 time Saab owner -- won't be buying a Saab again, for sure, although before this incident I was planning to buy an 9-7 in a couple of years. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. When the contact turned the vehicle, the instrument panel indicated that there was a gear box malfunction. The warning light dimmed a few days later. Afterwards, the contact experienced acceleration failures. After idling at a traffic light, it was difficult to accelerate. The vehicle would also shift uneasily. While attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle would not pick up speed and allow her to shift gears. The contact was concerned that the lack of acceleration could cause a crash while merging into traffic. The dealer stated that a new transmission was needed. She spoke with the manufacturer and is awaiting a return call; however, she was informed that they probably would be unable to assist. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 54,000 and failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
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.
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.
Gearbox malfunction, intermittent shifting or sudden deceleration we bought the car in April 2006. The car ran fine until August 2006 when the first gearbox malfunction light was indicated with an inability for the automatic transmission to downshift. Since the first gearbox malfunction the 2003 93 Saab has been in the garage (under warranty) six times for a total of 49 days. I have asked for GM/Saab to take/buy the car back. My car was in the authorized Saab service garage (portland Saab) for the entire month of December 2006 where the entire transaxle was replaced. The car is currently at coldbrook Saab (where I bought the car) for another gearbox malfunction.
Under normal driving conditions while driving approximately 45 MPH, the gas gauge read just over 1 bar of fuel remaining when a traction control system failure and gearbox malfunction message appeared in the display screen. Immediately following, the engine shut off and all control of the vehicle failed. No one was injured at the time due to the late hour and there being no other traffic near by but had there been traffic an accident would have most likely resulted from the failures.
Transmission complaints in other 9-3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Saab 9-3, 15% of the model year's 212 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Saab 9-3 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Saab 9-3, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Saab 9-3 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.