2008 Saab 9-3 Problems & Complaints

Most common 2008 Saab 9-3 problems

• Air bags~60,000 miles
  7139%
• Engine & cooling~86,000 miles
  6837%
• Fuel & propulsion system~90,000 miles
  158%
• Electrical system~90,000 miles
  116%
• Transmission & drivetrain~72,000 miles
  105%
• Suspension~65,000 miles
  105%
• Seat belts~70,000 miles
  105%
• Other / not specified~100,000 miles
  42%
• Speed control & acceleration~80,000 miles
  42%
• Body & structure~33,000 miles
  32%
• Lights~127,000 miles
  32%
• Locks & latches~55,000 miles
  21%
• Brakes~53,000 miles
  21%
• Wheels & tires~34,000 miles
  11%
• Equipment & accessories~75,000 miles
  11%
• Seats
  11%

Share of the 184 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 →

2008 Saab 9-3 recalls (2)

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2008 Saab 9-3:

What 2008 Saab 9-3 owners say

Air bags all 71 →

I have been trying to get this recall done for many years and with no luck. Most recently June 26th 2026 I was informed my recall was not fixable again and I hope for the last time. Enough is enough! Van Bortel Chevrolet in Macedon Ny tried again today which is there 2nd attempt. I had to buy a software card to give them the tool they didn't have to fit in there tech 2 scanner and even with the card they were unable to fix. It's a major safety issue I have been more than patient with and can't even begin to tell you over the years how much time and money spent trying to fix. I think at this point they need to replace car with similar or purchase from me.

The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine & cooling all 68 →

The engine lost total compression due to what the mechanic said was a well-documented case of intake valve failure, happened in northern california. The engine cut out while I was in traffic on the freeway, the car stopped, and the car was grazed from behind. Not much of a problem due to damage, just a quick re-paint of the back bumper, and paid out of pocket. The engine was gone. The Saab specialist told me that so many 9-3's,especially on the east coast, have experienced total intake valve failure like mine. I contacted Saab and they essentially said to go screw myself. Saab and a subsequent call to GM claimed they had "never heard of the issue" which my mechanic specialist said was a "bold lie" because there's an online history of this that I found, and they denied me any help in getting it fixed. …

We own a 2008 9-3 Saab that has approximately 120,000 miles on it. When it is cold outside (50 degrees and below), our car starts very roughly after 2-3+ minutes of continuous cranking. Once the car starts and has warmed up, it runs quite smoothly. However, it currently isn't starting at all now and is in the shop. We have been doing research online to see if this is a common problem among other 2008 Saab owners. So far we have seen a large amount of other owners of 2008 saabs expressing the same concerns/problems and have experienced a $2,00-$3,000 expense to fix it. Our diagnosis is that there isn't any compression and it is assumed that the lower intake valves are faulty and will need to be replaced for an estimated cost of $2,000-$3,000. …

Fuel & propulsion system

Reached 100K miles, and car began running very rough. Engine light came on and diagnosed as bad ignition coil. Paid for tune-up, ignition coil, and and fuel service. Less than a month later, same issue. Car running fine, then suddenly almost stalls and engine light blinks then stays on - car runs very rough at idle and acceleration. Replaced 2 more coils. Less than one month issue, same issue - car running OK, then just almost stalls and runs rough - engine light blinks then stays on - relaced #5 coil. When diagnosing, service tech advised that issue was likely worse, not maintaining compression - likely required valve job. Have already paid several thousands of dollars on ignition coils and other service to dealership for this issue, now facing large bill for valve job.

My vehicle doesn't start/idle well in the cold due to the air intake manifold bolts slowly becoming loose. **when driving and shifting** the vehicle cannot handle the extra unclean air entering the system and will stall out while going anywheres from 0-60+ MPH, once the engine shuts off all power steering also shuts down. The secondary issue is an acceleration problem because the seals on the air intake valves into the combustion chamber have become faulty resulting in cylinder misfires and a high amount of vibration intermittently while driving, the symptoms come and go with increasing frequency as time goes on. This secondary issue ties into the first issue because of shifting with a standard my vehicle today (12/3/2020) shut off while driving 7 times to and from my job.

2008 Saab 9-3 engines & fuel economy

EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.