2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE Problems, Recalls & Safety Ratings

May 8, 2020 Air Bags 174,183 mi

DRIVING ALONG, MAYBE 20-30 MPH AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FOR NO REASON (SIDE, NOT STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG). . NO CRASH, NO IMPACT, JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT AND, BOOM! MY LEFT EAR IS RINGING AND MY LEFT ARM IS PROBABLY BRUISED. *TR

May 8, 2020 Air Bags 174,183 mi

DRIVING ALONG, MAYBE 20-30 MPH AND DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYS FOR NO REASON (SIDE, NOT STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG). . NO CRASH, NO IMPACT, JUST DRIVING STRAIGHT AND, BOOM! MY LEFT EAR IS RINGING AND MY LEFT ARM IS PROBABLY BRUISED. *TR

Dec 13, 2016 Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. THE SAAB CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CONTINUES TO TELL ME THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND "I SHOULD NOT WORRY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH SAAB VEHICLES." HOWEVER, I OWN OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME RECALL, AND THOSE ...

Dec 13, 2016 Air Bags

TAKATA RECALL: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2016. THE SAAB CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER CONTINUES TO TELL ME THE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE AND "I SHOULD NOT WORRY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS WITH SAAB VEHICLES." HOWEVER, I OWN OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME RECALL, AND THOSE ...

Jul 8, 2014 Seat Belts 145,011 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES FAIRLY HARD. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND THEN STAYED RETRACTED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A PROPER REPLACEMENT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND HAVE YET TO FIND ONE FOR LESS THAN $200.00 FOR A USED ONE AND OVER $300.00 FOR A REFURBISHED ONE. GM JUST H...

Jul 8, 2014 Seat Belts 145,011 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR I HAD TO PUSH ON THE BRAKES FAIRLY HARD. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED AND THEN STAYED RETRACTED. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A PROPER REPLACEMENT FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT AND HAVE YET TO FIND ONE FOR LESS THAN $200.00 FOR A USED ONE AND OVER $300.00 FOR A REFURBISHED ONE. GM JUST H...

Jan 29, 2013 Seat Belts 112,334 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME TIGHT AROUND THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BEGAN CHOKING FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT BECOMING TIGHTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD ...

Jan 29, 2013 Seat Belts 112,334 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RETRACT AND BECAME TIGHT AROUND THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT BEGAN CHOKING FROM THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT BECOMING TIGHTER. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD ...

Nov 12, 2010 Structure Fire 95,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE RIGHT DOOR. I OPENED THE RIGHT DOOR TO FIND THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL HAD FALLEN OUT AND WAS BURNING THE SEAT C...

Nov 12, 2010 Interior Lighting Fire 95,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE RIGHT DOOR. I OPENED THE RIGHT DOOR TO FIND THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL HAD FALLEN OUT AND WAS BURNING THE SEAT C...

Nov 12, 2010 Structure Fire 95,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE RIGHT DOOR. I OPENED THE RIGHT DOOR TO FIND THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL HAD FALLEN OUT AND WAS BURNING THE SEAT C...

Nov 12, 2010 Interior Lighting Fire 95,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. I WAS CLEANING THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN. I SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE AREA BETWEEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THE RIGHT DOOR. I OPENED THE RIGHT DOOR TO FIND THE LIGHT FIXTURE IN THE RIGHT QUARTER PANEL HAD FALLEN OUT AND WAS BURNING THE SEAT C...

Mar 17, 2009 Tires

MY CAR WAS DAMAGED ON THE WAY TO WK BECAUSE I HIT A POT HOLE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION. WHO WOULD I TALK TO ABOUT THIS. I ALMOST HAD A BLOW OUT & IT WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE NEW TARRED ROAD HAS A DEEP HOLE & IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

Mar 17, 2009 Tires

MY CAR WAS DAMAGED ON THE WAY TO WK BECAUSE I HIT A POT HOLE ON NEW CONSTRUCTION. WHO WOULD I TALK TO ABOUT THIS. I ALMOST HAD A BLOW OUT & IT WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE NEW TARRED ROAD HAS A DEEP HOLE & IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

Feb 16, 2009 Engine And Engine Cooling 100,000 mi

ENGINE BLEW DO TO EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD UP, SAAB HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1999 AND OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ORIGINAL BUYERS TILL 8 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE. TO FIX, ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 100,000 MILES. THE OIL PORTHOLES THAT SQUIRT INTO THE PISTONS ARE CL...

Feb 16, 2009 Engine And Engine Cooling 100,000 mi

ENGINE BLEW DO TO EXCESSIVE CARBON BUILD UP, SAAB HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 1999 AND OFFERED A EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ORIGINAL BUYERS TILL 8 YEARS AND UNLIMITED MILEAGE. TO FIX, ENGINE HAS TO BE REPLACED. CAR ONLY HAS 100,000 MILES. THE OIL PORTHOLES THAT SQUIRT INTO THE PISTONS ARE CL...

Aug 8, 2006 Fuel System, Gasoline 79,950 mi

2000 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE. ON COMMUTE HOME, WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF A DETECTED GASOLINE LEAK. GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE AUTO BY THE GAS TANK. POLICE HAD CAR FLAT BEDDED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE WAS FROM A "BROKEN CLIP THAT ATTACHED THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP". C...

Aug 8, 2006 Fuel System, Gasoline 79,950 mi

2000 SAAB 9-3 SE CONVERTIBLE. ON COMMUTE HOME, WAS PULLED OVER BECAUSE OF A DETECTED GASOLINE LEAK. GASOLINE WAS POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE AUTO BY THE GAS TANK. POLICE HAD CAR FLAT BEDDED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE WAS FROM A "BROKEN CLIP THAT ATTACHED THE FUEL LINE TO THE FUEL PUMP". C...

Oct 4, 2004 Power Train 65,401 mi

VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATIC...

Oct 4, 2004 Power Train 65,401 mi

VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATIC...

Oct 4, 2004 Power Train 65,401 mi

VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATIC...

Oct 4, 2004 Power Train 65,401 mi

VEHICLE BEGAN SHIFTING POORLY AND WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE UNLESS TURNED OFF (5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS). SAAB DEALERSHIP OPENED TARNSMISSION AND FOUND IT NEEDED FULL REPLACEMENT (60,000 MILES) AND ALSO NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. SINCE THAT TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON AND GO OFF ERRATIC...

Sep 8, 2004 Electrical System 38,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AUTO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A FAILED IGNITION CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY SIN...

Sep 8, 2004 Electrical System 38,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, AUTO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY, NO POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL FROM ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE A FAILED IGNITION CASSETTE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMES ON PERIODICALLY SIN...