2003 Saab 9-3: check engine light

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 Aug 17, 2007 · Fuel system · PA

In, approximately, the last four months, my engine warning light my engine warning light has gone on. In contacting the dealer, the first time, the gas cap had not been properly put back on. The two subsequent times, I am certain that it had been. After the third time, I took the vehicle to the dealer, thinking it was either the o2 sensor, or the gas cap. I was told, by the service advisor, that there was (I believe he said) a vapor leak. It would require putting on a redesigned gas cap. The service write-up stated it was "replaced with an updated gas cap".

Filed Apr 15, 2007 · Fuel system · 41,000 miles · AZ

Was driving car smelt fuel pulled over and found gas spraying out from under car by fuel tank no check engine light came on and car ran fine but there was a lot of fuel coming out. Fuel lines had started to come out from fuel pump like reported in the 2001 saab 93 recall.

Filed Jun 20, 2005 · Acceleration, Body · 32,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 7, 2005 · Engine · 40,000 miles · NJ

Over a span of two months, my 2003 saab 93 has had a vacuum pump replaced 3 times. On each occasion, the dealer, cherry hill classic cars, has advised me that the part is on back order, and that saab "must be having problems" with or, or that "sabb is redesigning" the part. After each time the dealer replaced the part, the check engine light comes on again. The first time this happened, the car would hesitate upon acceleration, or would "sputter". The dealership now claims that the system to which the valve is connected is "filling up with water". As I understand it, the valve recirculation engine exhaust to help the engine warm up and/or burn fuel more efficiently. Saab customer service, if you can call it that, was unaware of the problem. Customer service has no way of tracking the problem as "each dealer is independently owned". As a result, the dealer has had my car for almost a two month period, and the part is still on back order.

Filed Feb 24, 2004 · Engine · 10,000 miles · CA

I purchased my saab 9-3 linear on 1/16/03, and within 2 months my check engine light started turning on, and stalled out 3 times. It has been in the shop over 11 times due to this problem and every time I have been told it is my gas cap, gas evap leak, or software updates. Mind you I am 6 months pregnant and the last stall out I was on a very busy street going 40mph (last month). They have replaced my gas cap too - saying this will solve the problem. I can never get a hold of any one at saab to discuss - so I have resulted to the lemon law. But in reality this is a critical problem that needs to be fixed as many people on this sight have escaped injury.

Filed Jul 23, 2003 · Engine · 3,100 miles · NV

My saab 9-3 ss 2003 stalled today .completely lost e power also couldnt turn steering wheel.lucky not to get hit from behind since I was driving in a residential area .the car started after I turned it back on ,there was no error messages,only the engine light came on while the problem happened.an occurance like this in the freeway would have been catastrophic .from various internet forums I have read owners of the same type of vehicle having similiar problem.the federal safety agency will need to take action to prevent injuries or even fatalities in the future

Filed Jul 15, 2003 · Fuel system · 200 miles · CA

Purchase date feb 12, 2003. Engine light went on after car shook a bit immediately after starting car. Told cause was "miss firing" taken to dealer. Problem resolved.

Filed Jul 6, 2003 · Fuel system · 6,100 miles · HI

I owns a 2003 saab 1993 linear with automatic. When driving a car, car stalled middle of the road. It happend 3 times so far. Car stalled and handle got locked up. Engine light came up. It was dangerous epecially at the freeway. Luckily never resulted in big accidents. Dealer are saying it's computer problem, but some people said it might be the faulty fuel pump.

Filed Apr 21, 2003 · Engine · 1,100 miles · TX

My brand new 2003 saab 9-3 with 1100 miles on it, failed me. I was in the middle of making a right turn in rush hour traffic, and my engine quit - the engine light came on, power steering and power brakes were off so it made the car incredibly heavy to turn. I was able to coast into a parking lot without getting hit, but it was still terrifying. I turned the key off, and started the car right back up, drove it to the dealership a mile away where it's been awaiting a "software upgrade" for 5 days. On www.edmunds.com I found that several owners of 2003 saab 9-3s have experienced the same thing. How dangerous!