2003 Saab 9-3: fire, smoke or burning smell

9 of the 212 complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-3 describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 70,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 16 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2008
1
2007
4
2006
2
2005
1
2004
5
2003
9
2002
1
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 7, 2015 · Electrical · 158,000 miles · CT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 30 MPH, smoke emitted underneath the hood. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact mentioned that smoke emitted from the battery compartment. There were no flames visible. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the failure was contributed to the electrical system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Oct 28, 2015 · Engine, Lights · 184,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and decelerated independently without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. In addition, the contact stated that while driving, there was an abnormal odor and smoke coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that oil was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 184,000. ...updated 01/07/16 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle failed to accelerate when entering traffic from the driveway, it moves out of gear, and the vehicle had an electrical glitch that caused the headlights to go out often needing to be replaced.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Electrical · 132,000 miles · NJ

Driving steady pace, sid fades out, radio shuts off, gauges turn off, and engine shut off. Pulled over and white smoke came out from engine bay. It was from the solenoid on the starter. I got a new starter and the battery was dead. I then bought a new battery and the same issue occurred. I had to charge the battery up to 100% to get the car started. The alternator was fine so my belief is there is an open circuit somewhere in the car. Just recently the same situation happened again, starter motor burned up and battery drained.

Filed Feb 5, 2011 · Electrical, Seats · 131,000 miles · MN

Passenger and I were driving and activated both front heated seats on the highest setting. Soon after, both of us detected a burning smell and immediately shut off both heated seats. Upon arrival, we exited and visually observed a small burn mark where the passenger's left shoulder would be. It burned through the leather and singed the hair of the passenger. The burn mark is about the size of a nickel and we can no longer use the heated seat function.

Filed Oct 24, 2009 · Suspension · 47,843 miles · NJ

Returned from 2 week vacation where car was parked in an outdoor airport parking lot. When car was put into reverse to back out of parking space, extra gas was required to start movement, then loud bang / pop and the car started to move. (sometimes after a rain, the disk brakes seem to rust / weld to the rotors and require extra effort to brake loose. But this bang / pop was louder than normal.) started to drive out of parking lot, then onto street to get onto interstate. Smelled rubber burning odor. Other drivers indicated white smoke coming from right wheel well area. Stopped to investigate and found right front suspension spring broken and cutting a groove in the side wall of tire. Car handled normally, so we were glad we hadn't entered interstate and gotten up to highway speed. Car towed to mechanic. He said only right side had physically broken, but felt the left side was about to break also. He replaced both left / right struts, springs, bracket, support struts, sway bar links and right front tire.

Filed Jan 5, 2009 · Suspension · 70,000 miles · OH

Another front suspension coil spring failure on a saab 9-3. On returning from a 2 week vacation I started the car in the airport parking lot and heard a clicking / rubbing noise from the front left wheel. I stopped and inspected the wheel and noted rust on the brake rotor and assumed that this was the cause of the noise and would wear off when the brakes were applied. Drove ~1/4 mile and stopped at a light before turning on to the interstate when I saw smoke coming from the wheel. Closer inspection revealed that the front left suspension coil spring had failed and the fractured spring was rubbing on the tire. The car was towed to the saab dealer where the front springs were replaced and the damaged tire replaced. I have the failed spring hardware. Despite the large number of similar failures of the front spring on saab 9-3s, saab refused to acknowledge that this was an issue and charged me for the repair. I feel lucky that I stopped to investigate before turning on to interstate. If I had not it would have undoubtedly resulted in a high speed tire failure.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Electrical · 34,500 miles · RI · fire

While driving owner smelled something burning and thought it was coming from outside. Owner parked the vehicle and went into the department store to shop. When the owner returned to the vehicle fire trucks were outside extinguishing the flames. It appeared that the fire started under the hood. Owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and they could not determine the cause.

Filed Mar 24, 2005 · Electrical · 34,500 miles · RI · fire

While driving owner smelled something burning and thought it was coming from outside. Owner parked the vehicle and went into the department store to shop.owner was in the store for approximately 45 minutes. When the owner returned to the vehicle fire trucks were outside extinguishing the flames. It appeared that the fire started under the hood. Owner had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and they could not determine the cause.

Filed May 10, 2004 · Electrical · 15,500 miles · KS · fire

Owner had just left the dealer after having the 15,000 mile oil change and check up. While driving, the owner heard a loud popping sound. Passing motorist informed the owner that the vehicle was on fire. A fire report was taken at the scene. Provide further details.