2003 Saab 9-3: hesitation when accelerating

7 of the 212 complaints about the 2003 Saab 9-3 describe hesitation when accelerating.

owner complaints: 7
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 8 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Hesitation when accelerating by model year

2008
2
2007
1
2006
3
2003
7
2002
1
2000
2
1999
1

What owners say

Filed May 23, 2006 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

2003 9-3 linear. Requesting follow up status on memo, dated 3-26-06. *ts the vehicle engine would not shut off although the key was removed from the ignition. The vehicle had several brake problems. The vehicle hesitated slightly when moving. When braking the vehicle would jerk and skid. The brakes grabbed which caused the vehicle to stop quickly. The alarm was very sensitive. Everytime a bus or truck passed the vehicle with the alarm engaged it would sound. The dealer said there was not way to adjust the sensitivity of the alarm. The windows were off track. The steering wheel seized when the consumer was driving on the highway. *nm ***nar***

Filed Apr 15, 2005 · Fuel system · 12 miles · NC

While driving vehicle intermittently hesitated and stalled. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealer, who did not want to do anything about it. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, who refused to assist the consumer.

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 Dec 28, 2004 · Body · NC

The consumer is experiencing problems with the acceleration. When the pedal is applied, the vehicle hesitates. The consumer took the vehicle to be inspected and he was told it was normal.

Filed Mar 30, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 10,000 miles · CA

Wanted to give an update. After 2 months of waiting for saab to respond to my lemon law filing with an attorney, I have been able to get rid of my 9-3 linear. Car still has hesitation after they have claimed to have repaired the software problem. Transmission is now slipping, onstar malfunctions once a week, and have a rattle in the dash board. Saab is fully aware of all of the problems. Just wanted to give others the confidence to fight them on the problems of the engine stalling.

Filed Jan 8, 2004 · Engine, Suspension · 5,500 miles · MA

Leased 2003 saab 9-3 arc on 9/26 and this is my second complaint (10051379) and I still have not heard from saab customer care regarding their fixing the loud right rear rattling/knocking noise. I have called numerous times with no call back. I now have two more problems... The car hesitates, sputters and almost stalls... The dealer increased the idle and that was the fix... I do not feel safe when starting off from a stop or driving in stop and go traffic. Also the transmission is shifting hard between gears between 10 and 30 mphs... It started a few days ago and is becoming more prevalent as each day passes..both these problems along with the loud rattling/knocking noise from right rear that dealer says is normal tell me that this car has problems that saab doesn't want to deal with and that is not right.

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.