2002 SAAB 9-3 Problems & Recalls

The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.

The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT, THE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL PLACED ON CERTAIN TYPES OF SAAB VEHICLES FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE C...

Mileage: 184,000

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

Mileage: 71,000

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

Mileage: 71,000

SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE IN PARK, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAB ATTACHED TO THE FUEL PUMP A...

Mileage: 65,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE...

Mileage: 100,000

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE STARTS FINE ONCE IT START MOVING GOES OFF,THEN I STARTS IT AGAIN,THEN WHEN I STOP IT GOES OFF AND KEEP ON DOING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE IDEA IT WAS COLD,BUT I NOTICED IT DOESN'T MATTER IT DO IT EVERY TIME I STOP AT ANY LIGHT OR STOP SIGN,THEN I CALLE...

Mileage: 92,000

MY DIC FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME! I HEAR ITS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JS

Mileage: 169,500

I JUST PURCHASED MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 FROM KARZ AND MORE IN LONGVIEW WA. IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE WENT INTO A STORE CAME OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE THERMOSTAT AND THE IGNITION COIL PACK WERE BAD. REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT JUST ONCE AND THE IGNITION COIL PACK TWICE. CAR IS ST...

Mileage: 139,702

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 93. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY AS SOON THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI...

Mileage: 117,000

I HAVE A 2002 SAAB 93 AND THE DIC CASSETTE ON THOSE CAR ALWAYS GOOD BAD. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE CARS AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T NO SUCH RECALL, THEY DENIED IT BECAUSE THE PARTS IS EXPENSIVE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

I HAVE A 2002 SAAB 93 AND THE DIC CASSETTE ON THOSE CAR ALWAYS GOOD BAD. THEY ARE DEFECTIVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THOSE CARS AND I CALLED THE DEALER AND ASKED THEM AND THEY SAID THERE WASN'T NO SUCH RECALL, THEY DENIED IT BECAUSE THE PARTS IS EXPENSIVE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

THE SAAB 9-3 2002 STALLED SUDDENLY WHILE IDLING ON AN EXIT RAMP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR FAILED TO RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE IGNITION MODULE HAD BEEN REPLACED 4 YEARS EARLY AS PART OF A PRIOR RECALL. THE CAR IS CURRENT AT A GAS STATION AND THE MECHANIC HAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REPLACED IGNI...

Mileage: 77,199

1. USE OF HIGH BEAMS 2. IF I DO NOT USE THE HIGH BEAMS THE LOW BEAM LIGHTS NEVER FAIL 6 MONTH TRIAL JUST FINISHED. 3. REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE RELAY AS THIS IS WHAT MY MECHANIC DOES FOR ALL HIS CUSTOMERS WITH NO SATISFACTORY RESULTS. WHEN USING HIGHBEAMS REPLACING 6 BULBS EVERY SIX MONTHS I...

Mileage: 123,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUBBED AGAINST THE OIL PAN AND CUT A 1/4 INCH GROOVE IN THE PAN. HE MOVED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER TO AVOID A MAJOR FAILURE AND REPAIRED THE OIL PAN. THE M...

Mileage: 110,000

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT APPROXIMATELY 79,900 MILES. UPON DIAGNOSIS BY THE SAAB DEALER, THEY SAID THE IGNITION CASSETTE WAS FAILING. REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY AS WHEN THE PART CEASED TO FUNCTION THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS PART HAS BEEN REPLACED. : DATES THE IGNITIO...

Mileage: 79,900

THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE B...

Mileage: 121,000

THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE B...

Mileage: 121,000

THIS CAR HAS DIED 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND REQUIRED A TOW. THE FIRST TIME THE IGNITION MODULE WAS REPLACED FOR FREE (RECALL). THE 2ND TIME THE CAR MYSTERIOUSLY RE-STARTED BEFORE THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT RESULTED IN A TOW TO THE NEAREST DEALER AND THE (DEFECTIVE) THROTTLE B...

Mileage: 121,000

ON 1/26/07 THE WATER PUMP OF MY CAR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. I HAVE COME TO REALIZE THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE CHANGES. IT WAS ALSO CHANGED BY THE MANUFACTURER/DEALER ON 11/10/04 & 2/25/03. HENCE THE CAR HAS GONE THROUGH THREE WATER PUMPS IN 44510 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 44,510

MALFUNCTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH 50000 MILES ON. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST INDICATED MALFUNCTION BEGAN AT LEAST 5000 MILES PRIOR TO THE BREAKDOWN. *JB

Mileage: 50,609

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MORE THAN 20 MPH. WHEN THE MECHANIC ATTEMPTED TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE, IT FA...

Mileage: 60,000

SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY (SID) IS LOSING ITS PIXELS AND IS UNREADABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME UNIT HAS FAILED. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN MAY 2005. SID PROVIDES ENGINE INFORMATION AND MAINTENANCE UPDATES AS WELL AS GENERAL INFORMATION SUCH AS TIME, RADIO/CD PLAYER OPERATION ,AND...

Mileage: 50,500

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE DEFROSTER HAS BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO A SENSOR PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS NOISY.

Mileage: 47,300

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER AND THE DEFROSTER HAS BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES DUE TO A SENSOR PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINE WAS NOISY.

Mileage: 47,300

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS DETECTED WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE STOPPED A PUDDLE WAS NOTICED ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD LEAKED FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE RETAINER TABS HOLDING...

Mileage: 50,000

2002 SAAB 93, MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE CONSUMER. *KB THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE REPAIRS MADE BEFORE THE RECALL WAS RECEIVED. THE CONSUMER WAS ASSURED HE WOULD RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT WITHIN 60 DAYS (RECALL 05V399000). *JB

Mileage: 51,383

NOTICED BLUE SMOKE ON ENGINE START-UP. DEALER SAID TURBO CHARGE HAD FAILED SEAL. REPLACED TURBO. 28,000 MILES ON CAR. SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON FAILURE ON SAABS SINCE AROUND 1999. *JB

Mileage: 28,000

FILLED MY CAR WITH GAS ON WEDNESDAY. NOTICED A STRONG GAS ODOR AND QUICKLY DROPPING FUEL LEVEL. TOOK MY CAR TO LOCAL GARAGE. THEY IDENTIFIED BROKEN TABS/BRACKETS HOLDING FUEL LINES. CONTACTED SAAB DEALER IN DUBLIN ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS ITEM - DEALER INFORMED THEM IT DIDN'T APPLY. I CALLED SAAB...

Mileage: 63,000

2002 9-3 SAAB STALLED ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING. *TS THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT SINCE HE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS RECALL RELATED. *JB UPDATED

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT 2002 SAAB 93SE HAD A FUEL LEAK. THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TAB WAS DEFECTIVE. IT BROKE AND CAUSED ONE FUEL LINE TO DISENGAGE ANDS SPILL FUEL ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. WITH THE CAR IDLING A LARGE POOL OF GAS WOULD GATHER UNDER THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CAL...

Mileage: 33,000

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *JB THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HEARD TIRE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA...

Mileage: 59,163

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *JB THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HEARD TIRE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA...

Mileage: 59,163

DT: THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION MODULE. *JB THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE RADIO AND CD PLAYER STOPPED WORKING. THE CONSUMER HEARD TIRE NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TA...

Mileage: 59,163

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. CONSUMER BUT MANAGED TO PULL VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. *AK

Mileage: 36,000

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE HAD BURNT OUT SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE MODULE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY, BUT SLOW TRAFFIC. T...

Mileage: 48,000

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE HAD BURNT OUT SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE MODULE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY, BUT SLOW TRAFFIC. T...

Mileage: 48,000

MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND COULD NOT BE STARTED AGAIN. THE DIRECT IGNITION MODULE HAD BURNT OUT SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING OUT OF THE CONNECTOR WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR. THE MODULE FAILED WITH NO WARNING AT ALL, AND I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN IN HEAVY, BUT SLOW TRAFFIC. T...

Mileage: 48,000

THE BLOWER ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. IN ADDITION I WENT IN TWICE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE HEATING UNIT OR CLIMATE CONTROL. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED IT, BUT IT STILL TURNS OFF AND SETS TO ZERO. NOW THE HEAT WILL COME ON WHEREAS IT DIDN'T BEFORE. I RECENTLY (LAST WEEK FEB. 16) ...

Mileage: 24,000

THE BLOWER ON THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. IN ADDITION I WENT IN TWICE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE HEATING UNIT OR CLIMATE CONTROL. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED IT, BUT IT STILL TURNS OFF AND SETS TO ZERO. NOW THE HEAT WILL COME ON WHEREAS IT DIDN'T BEFORE. I RECENTLY (LAST WEEK FEB. 16) ...

Mileage: 24,000

THE DRIVERS SEAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT IS COCKED IN A MANNER THAT FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT AT AN ANGLE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SEAT BACK AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT ALMOST ACROSS THE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS UNE...

THE DRIVERS SEAT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IT IS COCKED IN A MANNER THAT FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT AT AN ANGLE TO THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SEAT CUSHION IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE SEAT BACK AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO SIT ALMOST ACROSS THE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO FACE STRAIGHT FORWARD. ALSO THE LUMBAR SUPPORT IS UNE...

WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE: WET BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN TERRIBLE IN MY 2002 SAAB 93. THERE IS LITERALLY NO BRAKING RESPONSE FOR THE FIRST 2-3 SECONDS AFTER APPLYING SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE TOTHE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY WATER BUILDING UP ON THE BRAKE DISCS THAT IS C...

Mileage: 8,700

THE DRIVER SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. MR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RINGING IN THE EARS AND SOME APPARENT HEARING LOSS WHICH NOW HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE PERMANENT. ALSO, THE LUMBAR IN THE...

Mileage: 6,720

THE DRIVER SIDE SIDE-CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAUSED INJURIES TO THE DRIVER. MR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RINGING IN THE EARS AND SOME APPARENT HEARING LOSS WHICH NOW HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE PERMANENT. ALSO, THE LUMBAR IN THE...

Mileage: 6,720

THE REAR VIEW MIIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT MOVE FAR ENOUGHT TO THE LEFT (9 P'CLOCK) TO PERMIT ADJUSTMENT SO THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS BLIND SPOT ON CARS MOVING UP TOWARD THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. SO I CONCLLUDED THERE I A A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE MIRROR MECHANISM.... I TALKED TO ...

THIS IS THE SECOND SAAB, 1993 WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION THAT WILL REQUIRE REPLACING THAT I HAVE OWNED.*AK