Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
After starting car and adjusting seat I backed out of parking space and applied the brakes which did not seem to work properly. The car eventually stopped as I was not going very fast. I put the car in drive and began to accelerate to move to another parking spot and as I turned the corner going approximately 10 MPH I applied the brakes and they did not work; I accelerated again to test the brakes again and they did not work; I again accelerated to test the brakes again and they still did not work. I cautiously moved my car to another parking spot and applied the brakes which did not work and subsequently over shot the parking space.
During routine under hood inspection, brake fluid reservoir cap was observed to have split into multiple pieces. This damage, apparently heat related, compromised the ability of the braking system to maintain pressure and could result in loss of braking, crash, and bodily injury. Vehicle was removed from service pending receipt of replacement part.
This has occurred on multi occasions. Usually in cold weather the car usually while braking will report a complete failure of the brake, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Speedometer quits working, and message appears to come to a complete stop. Once you stop and turn off the car, and then restart all messages disappear and car returns to normal operation. The system May lead to an accident. This is the five incident over the last two years.
The brakes on my 2007 Saab 9-3 aero sport combi failed while I was driving. In the first incident I was backing out of my driveway and attempted to apply the brake only to have no brake pressure at all. With the pedal pushed all the way to the floor the car failed to stop and I was forced to use the emergency brake and put the transmission in park to stop the vehicle. The dealership claimed the issue was a faulty brake booster check valve and repaired that part. I drove the car home from the dealership and at the first stop light after leaving the dealership I attempted to stop the car from 65 MPH only to have no brake pressure again. I was forced to down shift and use the emergency brake to avoid hitting several cars. I drove the car very slowly back to the dealership and demanded they fix it. The car was in the shop two weeks for what they claim was a bad master cylinder. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Saab 9-3. The contact discovered that his brakes failed shortly after starting the vehicle when he placed the vehicle in reverse to back out of his parking space. When the transmission is shifted from park into reverse or drive before the engine has been warmed up, the brakes do not work to slow the vehicle and the brake pedal feels rock hard. To stop the vehicle the contact shifted the transmission into park. Brake function appeared to return to normal after the engine warmed up. This failure has occurred on four separate occasions. At 15,383, the contact struck another vehicle when the brakes failed while reversing out of a parking space. The crash occurred at low-speed approximately 2mph and no one was injured. The contact's vehicle was scratched but there was no apparent damage to the other vehicle. …
On July 22nd 2010 at approximately 1500 est, I started my car, a 2006 Saab 9-3 aero sport sedan and placed it into reverse to exit my garage/ driveway on my way to work. As I neared the street I depressed the brake pedal to slow down and enter the street but the brake pedal seemed to be ineffective and I ended up putting the car into neutral and entering the street at an angle. After I had stopped in the street I pumped the brakes and put the emergency brake on and shortly (2min) I was on my way without further incident. I reported this incident to my Saab dealer, and they said they had never heard of this before and said there was nothing I could do as it was out of warranty. During the rest of the summer I drove that car I had no further problems. (it is my parents car that I drove when I was home for the summer). …
Dt*: the contact stated a recall letter was received on 3-24-06. The dealership informed the contact the parts were not available. The dealership was contacted on 3-29-06 and informed the contact the parts were still not available and to call back next week. There is an NHTSA recall, #05V236000 on the vehicle regarding the service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and and fittings. The parts needed to repair the vehicle are not available at the local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts are not available.
I have a 2005 Saab 9-3, 2.0 liter turbo engine. My daughter owns the same car, but a 2004 model. The ABS control unit with ESP had to be replaced on both vehicles; in my vehicle at 73,000 miles and her car at 121,000 miles. Was there a recall on this part?
Related recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA investigations
Reduced brake power-assist
Saab automobile ab, a subsidiary of general motors corp. (GM), manufactured 12,317 subject vehicles through February 15, 2008, equipped with the high feature v6 turbocharged engine identified by regular production option lp9.a tandem vacuum brake booster assembly provides brake power-assist.the engine is the primary vacuum source to the booster and its effect is amplified by a venturi.under certain conditions, such…
Frequently asked questions
Which Saab 9-3 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (31), 2003 (19), 2007 (13), 2004 (7) and 2005 (5) model years. Brake complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Saab 9-3 brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 05V-236 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, May 19, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Saab 9-3 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles; 69% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (6 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › pads (4).
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.