2003 Saab 9-3 engine problems

Filed May 17, 2019 · Engine · 102,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. When the vehicle decelerated, it shut off without warning at will. The contact also stated that the vehicle decelerated when driving up a hill. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2016 · Body, Engine · 87,171 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked when the brake pedal was depressed and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred intermittently. In addition, it took multiple attempts to open the driver side door. The vehicle was taken to an independently mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,171.

Filed Nov 19, 2015 · Engine · 45,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and was able to be restarted. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was not diagnosed; however, the mechanic replaced the dic and the crankshaft sensor. The vehicle was repaired and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and the dic was replaced. The failure persisted and it took several attempts to start the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure mirrored the federal safety agency action number: ea04008 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 02/23/16*lj

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 Aug 30, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 109,560 miles · OH

As I was driving in the middle lane of the 3 northbound lanes of u.s. 23, the engine suddenly stalled. I was going about 62 MPH. I activated my emergency flashers, shifted the automatic transmission to neutral, and shut off the ignition key. I then turned the ignition key to restart the engine and it restarted. This is about the 5th time this has happened in the past 5 months. This vehicle should be included in gms ignition recall!!!

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Engine · 106,145 miles · OH

While driving at highway speed, the engine suddenly stalled. Slowed and stopped vehicle off side of road. Turned key to off position, then re-started vehicle when turned key to on. Car ran fine after re-started. This has happened multiple times. Suspect defective ignition switch, but this vehicle is not on the recall list.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 107,000 miles · CA

The vehicle will become almost immobile in first and second gear (manual transmission). Once in third gear, performance is back to normal. If driver is not aware of situation (cruise light off is only indication if cruise control system is turned on), driver can easily get into bad situation as car will not perform as usual (very significant degradation of performance). All that is needed to reset problem is to turn the key off and restart the engine and the condition will go away for as little as 10 minutes or up to as much as 2 hours of driving. It is suspected that this problem could be associated with the air mass sensor as replacing air mass sensor with used part, problem disappeared for several months. This condition could cause a serious safety issue if driver is not aware and tries to make a quick maneuver involving tight traffic (left turn when performance is paramount). Whatever this condition is that the electronics/engine controls is/are entering is unacceptable and this problem needs to be corrected by the manufacturer in a recall.

Filed Mar 15, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · VA

Vehicle was stalling during acceleration , then fuel pump had complete malfunction .... After replacement, engine has always run poorly and almost always stalls during acceleration. Replaced ignition coil , and it didn't fix problem . I have talked to 4 other saab 9-3 owners for this model year and 2004 and every one has the same problem.

Filed Aug 4, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · 90,108 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3 convertible. The contact was having an unrelated repair performed at the dealer when he was advised that the vehicle was in need of additional repairs. The dealer recommended having repairs to the engine and service brakes. The repairs were not performed. The contact located two recalls for the repairs recommended by the dealer (the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 04v540000 (engine and engine cooling) and 05v236000 (service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The dealer advised that that contact's VIN was not included with either recall. The manufacturer was contacted and advised they would speak with the dealer to determine if the repair needed was associated with the repair listed in the recalls. The contact was unsure if his vehicle was included with the recall or not. The failure mileage was 90,180.

Filed Jul 14, 2010 · Engine · 70,000 miles · CT

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact started the ignition and applied pressure to the accelerator pedal, followed by an extremely slow delayed response. The vehicle traveled approximately 10 MPH. The failure occurred intermittent which progressed to an engine stall. However, the vehicle would restart after stalling. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v540000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that the recall expired and were unable to honor the recall defect. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.