Check a VIN

2001 Saab 9-3 fuel system problems

16 complaints (27% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,000.

owner complaints
16
of this car's complaints
27%
typical mileage
75,000
crashes
0
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
    8
  • Delivery: fuel pump
    3
  • Storage: tank assembly
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Saab 9-3 fuel system problems in other years

199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Saab 9-3 fuel system

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fuel leak 7Fuel pump 6

Related recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported April 20, 2006 · 11,886 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on may 12, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 06V126000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported November 19, 2004 · 17,394 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on march 14, 2005. Owners should contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 04V557000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Fuel line leakageOpened December 20, 2005, closed April 28, 2006

On november 19, 2004 gm notified odi of a defect condition that could result in fuel leakage at the fuel pump connections in approximately 17,400 model year (my) 2001 and 2002 saab 9-3 passenger vehicles built at the uusikaupunki, finland assembly plant between may 2000 and july 2002 (gm recall no. 14101, the federal safety agency recall no. 04v‑557).according to gm, plastic fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during the manufacturing process for some of the 9-3 vehicles built at the finland plant.gm indicated that, over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage which, in the presence of an ignition source, couldcause a vehicle fire.the recalled vehicles were fitted with a securing bracket to hold the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if theretaining tabs should break. Rq05-003 was opened to investigate complaints of fuel pump retaining tab failure resulting in fuel leakage in my 2001 saab 9-3 vehicles built at the trollhatten, sweden plant.in its response to rq05-003 gm indicated that concerns with the retaining tab failure in my 2001 saab 9-3 vehicles were not limited to vehicles produced in finland.in an april 20, 2006 letter (copy attached), gm informed the federal safety agency that it was expanding its recall to include the my 2001 9-3 vehicles built in sweden (gm recall no. 14101, the federal safety agency recall no. 06v‑126).saab plans to begin mailing owner letters for the additional vehicles in may 2005.this investigation is closed.

RQ05003

What 2001 Saab 9-3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 25, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · 150,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2001 Saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle was overheating while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. A mobile independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 05V399000 (Electrical System) and 06V126000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 119,800 miles · IL

Excessive leaking. Was driving on e-way and engine stopped or something occured where it sounded as if the car turned off. The battery was working but, when I pressed on accelerator it didn't propel forward. I carefully steered with hazard lights to side of the road. Ignition cranks but, car won't turn over. Replaced direct ignition coil, crankshaft sensor but, issue seems to be the fuel pump. A recall was issued regarding this: recall 06v126000 affected cars saab 9-3 2001 engine, may 12, 2006 original recall from the federal safety agency manufacturer's report date may 12, 2006 the federal safety agency action number rq05003 potential number of units affected 11,886 the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v126000 component fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings summary on certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Consequence over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.

Filed Sep 1, 2016 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 114,000 miles · NY

When I changed the battery of the car key, its doors and trunk stopped lock and unlock. The belt of the gas tank was broken also. I replaced also the fuel tank.

Filed Jul 28, 2008 · Fuel system · 75,000 miles · OH

The federal safety agency campaign id # 04v557000 and 06v126000 are recalls which necessitated saab to inspect the fuel pump brackets. The 2001 saab 9-3, which I own, was first repaired because the fuel lines were corrupted and caused fuel to pump out into the open on top of the gas tank. This was repaired under warranty and was not under recall at that time. Much later, I received a recall notice for an inspection of the fuel pump bracket to make sure the a "new" bracket had been installed. These two inspections required the lowering of the fuel tank. I received a code 0442 a few months later and had the saab dealer inspect possible cause. It was discovered that the vent hose filler pipe has a leak as determined by a "smoke" check. Later, at a different shop, while having a tire rotation, the technician had me come out and check the right wheel area with the wheel assembly removed. What was revealed was a "rub" hole in the vent hose caused by contact with the shock absorber. I have digital photos of the damage. The damaged vent line is either 1) poor engineering of the vent line in relation to the shock absorber, or 2) the damage was the act of poor re-installment of the fuel tank either on the repair or later inspection. My question is this, " has there been any reports of shock absorbers, or other parts, causing holes in the vent lines which pass near the right wheel assembly?" saab has not been very helpful in trying to resolve this issue.

Filed Apr 24, 2006 · Fuel system · WA

Safety recall 15018 my car is a saab model: 9-3, it had the fuel line problem in safety notice 15018, which is still an open file. Saab says that because my VIN is not part of the recall, I do not have a problem. I did have the problem. It could have killed us. I now understand why general motors is going under. I would never buy another one of their products. To me, the issue is not the $263 I spent that they will not cover. The issue is that I bought their product in good faith, discovered a design error they know about, and they will not stand behind it. I think every saab on the road with that cheap (the plastic part costs under $4 retail at the dealer) fuel system attachment design should be pulled off the road.

Filed Feb 27, 2006 · Fuel system · 43,444 miles · MD

My 2001 saab 9-3 began leaking fuel, culminating with a major leak of fuel from the bottom of the vehicle on 2/26. Car was towed to the dealer, who explained that the problem was with tabs holding in the fuel pump. Recall number 04v557 was the exact same problem, exact same make, model and year but did not cover my VIN. Saab must not have covered enough vehicles in its recall. Vin ends with 12050281. I think the federal safety agency should investigate.

Filed Nov 7, 2005 · Fuel system · 125,000 miles · WI

Dt contact stated the fuel line was leaking. There was recall 04v557000. When shutting the vehicle off a quart of gasoline will pour out under the vehicle. He contacted the dealer, and dealer stated this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. He took the vehicle to the dealer, and they repaired the vehicle with the recall repair kit. The kit was a clamp to secure the fuel line from coming loose. *ak phone interview update: estimated leakage rate was about one quart of fuel every 5 minutes.

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · PA

Dt: the contact stated the fuel line came off the fuel pump. The car was spurting gas. The contact took the car to the nearest garage. They replaced the fuel pump. He found the federal safety agency recall 04v557000/saab recall 15018 which dealt with a similar problem as his vehicle. The dealership told him this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. When the contact talked to the manufacturers, they told him that because he did not take the car to a gm or saab dealership to have recall repair work done the repair work was not covered under the warranty. *ak phone interview update: the complainant was driving home when he smelled fuel odor. The repairing garage replaced the fuel pump because the fuel line retaining tab on the pump is broken which caused the fuel leak.

Filed Oct 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 50,300 miles · OH

A fuel leak from the brackets that hold the fuel tank together. A recall has been filed on saab 9-3 2001 -2004 cars. This is saab 9-3 2001, recall number is 04v557000, VIN number [xxx], it seems if this has a recall on some cars, if a car has the problem you would think it would be fixed by the recall. The car had to be towed for fire possibilities. It has been towed to the saab dealer in fairfield oh. The dealer is claiming that this car was not affected by recall. I feel that this is the recall problem. And it specifically states saab 9-3 2001 - 2002. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Oct 5, 2005 · Fuel system · PA

Dt: 2001 saab 93. The consumer states gas started coming out where the fuel line was. This started last night,on october 4, 2005. The vehicle was taken to a garage, and they stated it was the fuel clip. The mechanic told the consumer there was a recall 04v557000 on this problem. The consumer called saab, and they told him this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle has not yet been fixed.

Questions about the 2001 Saab 9-3 fuel system

Does the 2001 Saab 9-3 have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Saab 9-3, 27% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2001 Saab 9-3 fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2001 Saab 9-3 fuel system?

Yes, 2 recalls: 06V126000, 04V557000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Saab 9-3 have the most fuel system problems?

The Saab 9-3 model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2003 (20 complaints), 2001 (16 complaints) and 2008 (15 complaints).

Other 2001 Saab 9-3 problems

Electrical 23Engine 15Airbags 4Brakes 2Seats 2Acceleration 1Body 1Driver assistance 1Locks 1Seat belts 1Suspension 1Tires 1Transmission 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2001 Saab 9-3?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history