2003 Saab 9-3: broken coil spring

Filed Apr 27, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 70,000 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

Coil spring brok caused tire to come off turnded sideways under firewall causing us to crash into concrete barrier

Filed Jun 11, 2014 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · CO

I have also been having issues with the front passenger side suspension. I would have to check my records, but I believe it started when the car had about 25k miles on it. The springs are still in tact, but I would notice a very loud creaking noise going over speed bumps in parking lots, especially in cold temperatures. I brought it to the attention of the dealership while it was still under warranty and they did not offer any resolution. After reading the large number of complaints of broken springs, I now know why I am afraid to drive this car on the freeway. I would really like to get this fixed under a recall before it causes an accident and someone gets seriously injured or killed.

Filed Mar 6, 2014 · Suspension, Tires · 94,304 miles · VA

Driving down street at 30 MPH. Left side front spring broke. Spring stuck out and shredded tire. Left side of car dropped, which then caused right side spring to come off and cut right side tire. Had to replace both front spring / strut assemblies, and replace 2 tires. Researched problem, found that gm manufactured these cars in 2003 - 2006 and was offering a warranty to fix this problem. My saab is several months past the warranty dates but not the mileage limit. However, my understanding is that the original parts were faulty or defective. Very dangerous, as if car were traveling faster it could have been a serious accident. I would hope gm would correct or pay for a true safety issue.

Filed Feb 12, 2010 · Suspension · 71,000 miles · OH

No events leading to failure. Passenger front spring broke at 71,000 miles. Broke previously at 35,000 miles. Current brake at 71,000, broken spring dug into passenger front tire and prevent the car from steering to the left. Springs were replaced by the dealer after the 35,000 mile failure. Springs and struts were replaced with aftermarket parts after the 71,000 file failure.

Filed Dec 31, 2009 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 40 MPH she heard a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the sway bar failed because of the right front coil spring. The manufacturer took a report. The manufacturer wanted to offer $100.00 towards the cost for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 83,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2009 · Suspension · 75,000 miles · KY

Passenger side front spring broke about 4" up from the bottom. Car mileage apprx. 75k. Problem was indicated by clunking noise and oddness in the steering.

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 Sep 9, 2009 · Suspension · 200,000 miles · 00

2003 saab 9-3 linear. Oem front spring broken (passenger side). Noticed when doing brakes one day. No damage to vehicle or any property, but still a huge problem.

Filed Sep 6, 2009 · Suspension · 56,700 miles · NJ

On 8/2/09, I was driving my vehicle when suddenly there was a loud bang. Car pulled to the extreme right with a strong odor of burning rubber. Luckily was able to gain control without hitting anyone and stopped the vehicle. It was quite obvious the front of the car was lower than the back. The smell of rubber was from the spring going into the front passenger tire. The vehicle was towed to a local garage where it was discovered the front passenger spring broke & ate into the front tire. It also pulled out the struts & broke the bracket/top as well. I was very satisfied with saab until this. Car is 6 years old, well maintained with only 56,700 miles. This incident has certainly made me apprehensive especially when I did research an found there has been a rash of broken front passenger springs reported, yet no recalls. Parts replaced: strut assembly, strut top, spring pair, bracket, stabilizer bar control link, pirelli tire.

Filed Jul 25, 2009 · Suspension · 54,000 miles · 00

My 2003 saab 93 vector had the front passenger coil spring broke, im still driving on it with the parts on order. Seems to be a common problem with many other peoples saabs. And sounds like their will be no help from the dealer. I am assuming its going to take a fatality or 2 before saab wakes up and makes some better springs or just recall the '!@#$% things.

Filed Jul 23, 2009 · Suspension · 35,210 miles · WI

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the suspension front coil springs have been failing since spring of 2008. The vehicle has been repaired. The contact wanted to go on record and referenced investigation number ea08026. The failure mileage was 35,210.

Filed Jul 20, 2009 · Suspension · 76,000 miles · NY

Left front coil spring failure on 2003 saab 9-3 ss linear. I have read that there is a defect investigation on this issue, and that the federal safety agency has reviewed warranty claims. My car is out of warranty, so it would not be included in this data.