Dt: front brake rotors and pads wore out completely without warning. The consumer stated that there was a lot of brake dust the last 10,000 miles. The dealer stated that this was normal and that they could not do anything about it. The manufacturer has been called three times and they said this was normal wear. The caller only has 26,000 miles on vehicle and he believes this is not normal.
2003 Saab 9-3 brakes complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 19 of 19, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My saab has had a litany of problems since I have owned the car. It all started with little items. Ignition wouldn't start the car. Head lights burnt out. Dash peeling, door handles discoloring, emergency brake getting stuck and being able to operate my car. Engine warning light because my gas cap wasn't on correct. Steering wheel locking while I was driving. Wheel lock light remaining on while I was driving. Brakes replaced due to factory retro fit. Seat belts being recalled. Computer constantly needing to be replaced so the car would function. Electronic key failing so I couldn't start my car. My car is a 5 speed and the shifter handle has an continues to come off in my hand. A minimum of 3 fuses needing to be replaced. The dash board goes blank at times showing no functions of the car. Window wouldn't go up or down and required the regulator to be replaced. Erractic idle. Service engine light comes on but, dealer doesn't know why. Brakes needed to be replaced at 30,000 miles and rotors too.
Brake pads wore through and rotors were damaged on the front end. No indication of brake wear from dealer service department at regular service intervals. Saab has a long approximately 15,000 engine service interval. Consequently brakes may only be inspected every 15,000 miles. Neither dealer nor manufacturer can advise customer of when brake pads should be replaced. Customer has no avenue to receive advice regarding brake wear and replacement. Ulitmately pads are worn out completely without warning, and rotors are damaged, creating a safety issue. All parts are replaced at a cost to the consumer of $800.
When accelerating from 55 to 65 MPH in the passing lane with the cruise control engaged the vehicle continued to accelerate up to 90 MPH. Consumer applied the brakes hard to reduce the speed down to 70 MPH, but the vehicle continued to accelerates up to 95 MPH. Consumer reapplied the brakes and got the vehicle down to 10 MPH when he shifted the vehicle into neutral and turned the vehicle off. A fire has temporary develop in both front wheels and extinguish itself within 5 minutes. Consumer got back into the vehicle and drove the vehicle to the dealer. The cause of the problem has not been determined. Dealer is replaced the complete braking system and the cruise control deactivation switch.
Since owning my 2003 9-3, the parking brake stuck and would not release ultimately having to be replaced. The rear bushings on the sway bar had to be replaced, multiple light bulbs. At about 20,000 miles the steering rack needed to be replaced, most recently the power sterring pump now needs to be replaced. The seat belt also let go and had to be replaced. I thought that all that could go wrong, had gone wrong until the power steering pump went. Now reading other owner comments I have no faith in this vehicle. This is my fourth saab, my last I traded at over 180,000 miles with no problems.
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
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.
Parking brake failed -- car rolled while unoccupied -- rolled down slight hill and crashed into another car.
Failure of emergency brake causing car to roll while unoccupied.
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