2004 Saab 9-3: fire, smoke or burning smell

5 of the 207 complaints about the 2004 Saab 9-3 describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 13 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2008
1
2007
4
2006
2
2005
1
2004
5
2003
9
2002
1
2000
1

What owners say

Filed Jun 22, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 55,000 miles · MO

This is a serious issue known to the federal safety agency and gm under pe 08051. It needs to be addressed and a recall issued. Backing out of garage I heard a pop from right front area of car when put in reverse. Drove about 200 feet before I smelled burning rubber. Car became very difficult to steer. I had car towed to independent service garage. It is determined that the right front spring broke and became entangled in front suspension, steering and tire. Had I been going at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour I would have not been able to steer the car to a safe stop. Both gm and the federal safety agency know of the breaking front spring in salted road areas including missouri. This vehicle has only 55000 miles and is stored in a garage at home and work. Please put out a recall issue immediately, this is a very serious issue. Also a front seat belt recall went out last summer. I have contacted the manufacturer several times, the replacement seat belt is always several month out. Mine has become knotted and does not lay flat across my body but is more like a rolled rope. Gm needs to address this issue and get the parts out asap as well. Again gm needs to recall the known issue on the front springs on 2003 - 2006 saab 9-3's and fulfill their current recall on the damaged recalled seat belt. Updated 09/08/15*lj updated 10/26/2017

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Suspension · 62,000 miles · IL

I was backing out of my garage when I heard a loud clunk coming from the front left area of my car, accompanied by a burning rubber smell emanating from somewhere. I got out of the car and thought it looked a little lower on the left side. I felt it was unsafe to drive due to the loud noise when I put it in reverse, not to mention the smell of burning rubber. I got my car towed for $75, only to find out I was correct in my online assessment of the problem being my front suspension coil being broken (as per a local auto body diagnostic), due to the numerous and very similar sounding complaints especially for the 2003 and 2004 saabs. I'm lucky that I didn't end up shredding my tire and losing control of my vehicle as I as about to embark on an hour drive, using highways, to meet a friend. However, now I come to find out that saab, since going bankrupt in mid-december of 2011 no longer is manufacturing or releasing any parts - so I am left with a car that is not drive-able until I can find a solution to this very frustrating problem.

Filed Jun 15, 2011 · Engine · MA · fire

Vehicle owner pulled into a parking space and stopped, saw smoke coming from under the hood. Owner reported that the smoke became black and a fire erupted. Fire origin in right rear of engine compartment, cause undetermined. Vehicle has 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Filed Jan 14, 2010 · Seats · 84,150 miles · IN · fire

I was using my car's seat warmer and the seat began to get very hot in one spot on the seat. I also noticed a burning smell that smelled like burning lead or rubber. The level of heat that was coming from the spot on the seat lead me to lift myself off of the seat in order to prevent burning my leg. I turned the seat warmer off, which seemed to make the burning subside. This sequence continued until about a week later when the seat warmer stopped working. About a month later, with the help of a family friend I removed the seat from the car and removed the upholstery in order to investigate the issue and try to fix it. Upon removing the upholstery, we found that the wiring of the seat warmer had started a small fire in the seat cushion and burned a hole (3 inches wide and 1 inch deep) in the cushion. The backing of the leather that covers the cushion had also been burned through. The wiring was not recognizable and repair was not possible without professional service. We left the seat as it is for now until we can figure out how to repair this issue, and figure out how to prevent this dangerous situation from occurring again.

Filed Jan 13, 2010 · Suspension · 44,000 miles · IL

Heard a loud noise while pulling out of the parking lot; soon after, there was a rubber(tire) burning smell and vibration on the front right side. The coil spring snapped and was pressing against the tire and rim. Had the car towed to the mechanic. Changed both front coil springs. Mileage on the car-44,000.