2003 Saab 9-3: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Steering · 71,810 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the steering lost power. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall. The driver side tire became stuck under the driver seat without warning. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed. Both the driver and passenger received injuries that required medical attention. The police was at the scene, but did not file a report. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The insurance company totaled the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. One day after the failure, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v063000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 71,810.

Filed Mar 19, 2007 · Acceleration, Engine · 57,000 miles · NM · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 93 saab. The engine lost power without warning, and when attempting to restart the vehicle the steering function was lost as well. The onstar indicator read that the steering and engine were malfunctioning. On eighteen occasions the saab dealer was unable to diagnose the failure ,and refused to purchase back the vehicle. Also, the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally. On march 16, 2007, the vehicle was parked and accelerated without warning and drove into a cement wall. After the recent failure saab's diagnosis was to replace the fuel pump. However, the failure continued to occur. The contact was injured while being three months pregnant. The air bags deployed, and there was severe damage to the vehicle. The current and failure mileage were 57,000.

Filed Feb 5, 2004 · Electrical · 78,900 miles · MA · fire

Short in fuse box in engine compartment caused and electrical fire with smoke from the engine bay, engine shut down on the highway causing lost of power steering and braking/ car was able to restart with the lost of the light, turn signals, horn and windscreen wipers.

Filed Jan 30, 2004 · Engine · 9,225 miles · FL

While driving thru a s curve, my car stalled and lost all power. The split second loss of power on a turn caused me to cross into on coming traffic before I reacted to bring my car back into my own lane. I was luckily that no other vehicles were coming from the opposite direction or I would hit them head on. My 2003 saab 9-3 coasted to an area off the side of the road where I stopped and restarted the engine. Again luckily that there was a road shoulder to pull over on. This is the 3rd time this has happened. The dealer response at the first time was "that's ok if it only happens once"...but guess what it is still happening and seems to be a well known problem.. Hopefully we dont have to wait for someone to be killed before saab fixes it.

Filed Oct 16, 2003 · Transmission · PA

My 2003 saab 9-3 arc (purchased this july) with automatic transmission nearly stalled (sputtered, hesitated and nearly lost power) while making a left hand turn between oncoming traffic. While this car has not fully stalled out, I have felt it hesitated on a number of other occasions. I owned another 2003 saab, identical in every way, that completely stalled out at idle speed while stuck in traffic and also while starting out in reverse and in forward. The fact that this new car nearly stalled in front of oncoming traffic has really scared me. I have read a number of complaints on the web about stalling in the 2003 saab 9-3. I spoke to saab customer service yesterday and they denied any other complaints on the stalling issue. I am bringing my car to the dealer on monday, however, I feel that saab needs to address this potentially very serious issue.

Filed May 19, 2003 · Engine · 4,840 miles · OR

My 2003 saab 9-3 had intermittent stalling and loss of power issues. Since delivery on 1/09/2003, the car has stalled 4 times and lost power twice. I have been in contact with the dealership and saab and the problem has not been resolved. On 5/13/03 new engine management firm ware was installed. On 5/17/03 the car again malfunctioned. There appears to be a serious issue with the vehicle that saab is not able to resolve.

Filed May 1, 2003 · Engine · 1,912 miles · CA

Vehicle stalled while accelerating. Lost power steering and power brake assist. Could have easily caused an accident if I hadn't been able to stop safely. The car started with no issues after the stop.

Filed Apr 30, 2003 · Engine · 1,800 miles · MA

I just bought a 2003 saab 9-3 about a month ago and it has approx. 1800 miles on it. I was driving home from work and suddenly lost power steering followed by complete power. Luckily I was on a back road and pulled over safely. If I had been on the highway there may have been a different outcome. I feel that this is a very big safety 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.