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2004 Saab 9-3 suspension problems
52 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 64,000.
- owner complaints
- 52
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 64,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Front29
- Front: springs: coil springs10
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Saab 9-3 suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Saab 9-3 suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
To date, ODI is aware of 142 non-duplicative complaints related to the alleged defect.In addition, ODI is aware of 2,626 subject vehicles with one or more warranty claims related to the alleged defect.In total, ODI is aware of 2,714 unique subject vehicles that have experienced one or more front suspension coil spring fractures.ODI is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect.The engineering design and testing data supplied by GM, along with the frequency of consumer complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect, tends to support the position that, in general, the coil springs that fractured on many subject vehicles did not achieve the expected service life.However, in regard to the subject vehicles, a front suspension coil spring fracture itself has little safety consequence, as evidenced by the minimal impact on vehicle ride and handling and by the number of drivers who were unaware of the failure condition for some time until alerted by service personnel.The ratio of tire punctures to coil spring fractures appears low and there are no reports of crashes, deaths or injuries related to the alleged defect. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor this issue and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.See the EA08-026 Engineering Analysis Closing Report for more details.
EA08026
Front suspension coil spring fracture
On august 28, 2008, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe08-051) to investigate alleged front suspension coil spring fractures in certain model year (my) 2003-2004 saab 9-3 vehicles sold or registered in salt belt states.(note: for purposes of this investigation, the salt belt includes connecticut, delaware, the district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin).subsequent analysis of data provided by general motors corp. (gm) has LED the agency to expand the scope of this investigation to include all my 2003-2006 saab 9-3 vehicles sold or registered in salt belt states. To date, odi is aware of 53 non-duplicative complaints and/or field reports that allege coil spring fracture in the subject vehicles, including 23 alleging the fractured spring damaged a tire, with 16 of those involving a tire puncture.analysis of warranty data provided by gm identified 1,218 claims paid to repair subject vehicles that experienced the alleged defect, of which 138 vehicles also suffered damage to the adjacent tire and of those, 79 vehicles experienced a tire puncture.odi is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the alleged defect. Gm made several design changes to the coil springs and/or mcpherson strut assemblies used in the subject vehicles in an apparent effort to address the alleged defect condition.however, gm maintains that the subject vehicles remain well controlled in the event of tire puncture, that the rate of tire puncture incidents related to coil spring fractures is low, and that the alleged defect does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.accordingly, this investigation has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea08-026) to further study the safety consequences of the alleged defect.
PE08051
What 2004 Saab 9-3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the front springs and front struts failed without warning. The contact stated that the fracture happened twice, once on each side. A mechanic diagnosed that the springs prematurely fractured and the front struts and sprints needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
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
I took my vehicle in for a blower motor malfunction and a brake job to my regular mechanic who works on all my vehicles. While they had the vehicle up on the lift, he noticed that the right front spring had broken and gouged the tire leaving the tire damaged and the car inoperable. When they called the dealership to order a new spring from saab, the parts department said that b/c of mileage and age it would be covered under a service bulletin. Yeah! So, I called dealership and inquired about having the vehicle towed (100 miles) and the saab dealership do the work. Mileage on 9-3, 94,484 good! 6 months past the "time" limit! Bad! Needless to say, after $700 later I have replaced both front springs as well as the $175 damaged tire. The spring could have caused serious damage to the car, occupants as well as others if I was driving while the damaged tire gave out, due to the spring breaking! The vehicle drove perfectly & I was not aware of the broken spring! This is not my only vehicle and I honestly feel that saab should honor the mileage before the "time" b/c the amount of the vehicle being driven is what seems to be the cause of the failure of the springs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds over turbulent road conditions or when making a turn, the vehicle would exhibit a creaking noise from the front end. The contact also mentioned that an abnormal clicking noise was heard when first starting the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was also no longer in business. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Right front spring broke off during travel. 2nd incident. Note broken coils replaced in 2010.
The left front strut spring snapped and the right front strut spring is moving (circular back and forth motion).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the front passenger's side tire blew. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic, who replaced the damaged tire and also advised that the failure was caused by fractured coil springs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 140,000.
I was traveling at 50mph when I heard a loud pop from the front suspension. After the pop the front end would rattle over bumps. Upon further inspection I discovered the front right coil spring had cracked. After looking at the spring more I found another crack in the same spring.
Heard strange noises in front end while turning. Had mechanic check it out and found right front spring broken. I understand there is a recall. Concerned with how to get this handled before it breaks entirely and causes an accident.
Questions about the 2004 Saab 9-3 suspension
Does the 2004 Saab 9-3 have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 52 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Saab 9-3, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Saab 9-3 suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 64,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Saab 9-3 suspension?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Saab 9-3 have bad suspension?
The Saab 9-3 model years with the most suspension complaints are 2004 (52 complaints), 2003 (42 complaints) and 2005 (29 complaints).
Other 2004 Saab 9-3 problems
Seat belts 79Airbags 20Electrical 13Engine 12Fuel system 9Brakes 7Lights 5Transmission 5Steering 4Tires 4Seats 3Acceleration 2Body 2Locks 2Visibility 1Wheels 1
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