2003 Saab 9-3: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Suspension · 76,000 miles · KY

This is on a 2003 saab 9-3 2.0t linear model. There were no injuries this time but the potential is very much there. My wife was pulling out from a stop light and hear a loud pop followed by a loud grinding noise. She pulled off immediately. When I arrived on scene, I found that the drivers front wheel was pushed up into the wheel well. When I removed the tire I found that the spring had broken in two (the bottom last ring broke off) and had dropped down to where the jagged end (still attached/wrapped around the shock) was poking into the tire. It had left a relatively deep gouge all the way around the tire. I am sure I don't have to explain to you what could happen if the spring were to break on the interstate at 70mph and puncture the tire. I am quite certain that if my wife would have kept driving any distance that the spring would have dug its way through the side wall and punctured it. Remember, we cant always just pull off the interstate or stop at the drop of a hat. If you have ever driven through atlanta you will know this to be true ;) anyway, went digging on the internet trying to purchase replacement springs and found out that saab had issued a special warranty for spring failures on some of the 9-3's (including mine). Apparently,saab is aware that road debris can get jammed in the spring mount and eat at the coating away on the bottom coil and allow corrosion to work its magic resulting in the springs breaking/failing. So, I call saab. They tell me that I am not covered because I do not live in what they consider to be the snow belt. Which is the upper/more northern states. They tell me that the failure has been reported more in these states and it is due to road salting. Furthermore, I am told that they are only replacing the springs after they have failed. As these cars start to get some age on them, I think we are going to start seeing more and more of these failures. Will it take someone dying for them to issue a recall campaign?

Filed Dec 31, 2009 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 40 MPH she heard a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the sway bar failed because of the right front coil spring. The manufacturer took a report. The manufacturer wanted to offer $100.00 towards the cost for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 83,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2008 · Visibility · 34,700 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the driver's side window made a grinding sound and would no longer go up or down. The dealer stated that the power window failed due to freezing rain. The window was repaired. The current mileage was 34,895 and failure mileage was 34,700. Updated 3/5/08 *cn the consumer stated the dealership offered a gmc smart cure which is a package coil change and tire rotation at no cost. Updated 03/05/08

Filed Sep 30, 2004 · Transmission · NY

This is a second complaint and update to 1/1/04 complaint previously submitted. Since then car has been to the dealer 2 additional times for transmission slippage with no resolution. Also car has been in for broken front seat, faulty finish on door handles and dash board, brake squeal, and problems closing sun roof. All problems cured other than transmission slippage and steering alignment. Called saab USA previously whom advised to continue working with the dealer, who can not fix. Transmission slippage can be dangerous when depending on an auto to react a certain way in accident avoidance situations and auto responds differently. In my opinion this problem coupled with all the others is a violation of express warranties of the manufacture. Please investigate this transmission slippage issue as there are multiple complaints on this message board. Thank you.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Body, Brakes · VA

Headlights was too low which caused difficulty in driving at night. *la there was noise in the rear while backing and turning (the dealer could not find the problem), the onstar feature would not work and was intermittent, the seat belt light had come on and would go off intermittently (unable to duplicate), need service soon light would come on (unable to be duplicated), the squeal in the rear, could have also been linked to salt and sand in the rotors, the trunk would not stay open, the head lights were found to be out of adjustment, and the pads had rust on them. *sc

Filed Apr 19, 2004 · Brakes · CT

Since purchasing saab 9-3 arc in august 2003, the car has been in service 7 times. Problems include: key inoperable, back brakes loud sound, front brakes squealing, window problems, sunroof problems, loose heat console, onstar malfunction. Saab has been contacted and can not fix the brake issue. They state that the loud foghorn like sound is normal. I have contacted a lawyer and am pursuing the issue.

Filed Apr 9, 2003 · Electrical · 3,000 miles · CA

I purchased a 2003 saab 9-3 linear w/ launch package (steel grey) approximately 2 months ago. Four days after my purchase I was driving using the steptronic shifting and the car lost power. Warning lights came on and the dash said to pull over and contact saab. When I attempted to accelerate and pull over, a severe grinding noise was heard and felt under my right foot. I called roadside assistance and they brought it back to the dealership. After several days the dealership said they saw a computer event "wheel speed mismatch" but was not sure what happened or how this was caused. They said when the car detects a problem it disables portions of the engine and computers and only allows you to go approx 20 MPH to make a safe stop. The dealership called this "limp home mode" they said it was similar to a windows "safe mode". As you could imagine I was angry but understand sometimes unexplainable things happen. Now less than 2 months later it happened again. This time though I was on the freeway in rush hour traffic. After nearly getting into an accident I managed to call saab roadside and again they had to tow me. All of the symptoms were the same and even the grinding.. I sit here with a loaner waiting for info on the cause. I was wondering if anyone else here has experienced anything similar? Or has anyone here heard of anything like this with the saab? Any information or insight would be greatly appreciated.