Loud cracking noise when going over a small bump in road. Inspection showed broken right front coil spring. Could have punctured tire and caused an accident. *js updated 08-03-12
2004 Saab 9-3 suspension complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Front right tire started smoking, followed quickly by blowout. After removing tire, discovered the spring part of the suspension had fractured into 2 pieces, one piece loose and unattached, the other still intact with the car. The piece still attached to the car was out of place and in the way of the tire which caused it to rub up against the tire and caused it to blow out after cutting through the entire circumference of the tire.
Coil springs broken, campaign 15917, inspect and replace broken coil springs.
Broken front coil springs caused the vehicle to be unsafe to operate. Both left and right springs are broken with spring material extending towards the tire. Will require tow for service. Tire failure is likely if driven.
Was driving 2004 saab 9-3 vehicle when the strut spring broke, and started digging into the tire creating a lot of smoke from burnt rubber. Upon closer inspection it appears that the strut strings had broke on both sides, only the passenger side spring came off of its 'mount' and dug its way into the tire. Nothing was hit to cause this reaction. Upon searching the internet, this seems to be a more common, than not problem with this model of 9-3. Saab has agreed to extend the warranty to fix the problem, but this is a very serious safety hazard and these springs should be recalled. A significant amount of damage was done to the tire before I stopped. If the vehicle had been traveling any faster, I believe the consequences could have been significantly worse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH the front passenger side tire blew out. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the front passenger side coil spring needed to be replaced. The contact decided to replace both front driver and passenger side coil springs. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer issued an extended warranty for the failure but the vehicle was not covered under the warranty due to the mileage. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 05/18/11 *bf updated 2/9/12
Left work parking lot and felt something rubbing on drivers side tire. Pulled over to see what was wrong. Could not find anything. Started driving again and smelled a tire smell and noticed blue smoke from my rearview mirror. Started to pull over and the tire blew. Thought I blew a tire. Go to put the spare tire on and see the spring from the strut had almost cut my tire off the inside of the rim. Called my local saab dealer and they said they would replace the one spring. As I was looking up how much this was going to cost me(before I found out I was still under warranty) every site I visited said the same thing saab recommends replacing both springs yet the dealership says they will only replace the one that broke and shredded my tire. Looking on the internet I see this is a problem that has not turned into a recall. If I had made it to the first round about the speed limit goes to 55mph the amount of force that pulled my car to the right at 15mph was almost enough to hit an on coming car. I can only imagine what it would have done at 55mph on a two lane highway.
I received a letter from saab dated feb 2010 to owners of 2003 - 2006 saab 9-3s there was a potential problem of the suspension spring corrosion may weaken and/or break. 3rd paragraph bold underlined: do not take your car to the dealer as a result of the letter unless you believe your car has the condition. I did not take it in. On may 18, 2010 the spring on the left front broke resulting in the front end dropping. During the loading on flat bed tow truck the oil pan was damaged with a $1055 repair at my expense. No oil leak prior to this incident.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. While driving at approximately 2 MPH, the contact heard a loud pop noise from the front end of the vehicle. After driving half a mile at approximately 30 MPH, he heard another loud pop and the front passenger tire blew out. The tire was replaced with a spare and contact drove to a repair center where he was informed the front passenger side coil spring broke and pierced the tire. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the failure was a known issue that was being serviced on a case by case basis. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000.
In feb 2010 I received a letter from saab saying that the front springs of my car could fail due to corrosion. They said could cause the height of the vehicle to decrease by an inch or two. What they neglected to say was that the broken spring can hit the tire and cause the tire to fail, which is what has happened to me and may other saab owners. Their letter should have mentioned this since tire failure caused my car to break down in the middle of a busy road which had no shoulder and I had no warning that this could happen.
2004 saab 9-3 front right spring coil failure. No warning prior to defect. Loud noise in wheel well first/only sign upon starting car and pulling out of driveway. Returned home immediately and made appointment with independent mechanic. Drove approx. 2 miles to mechanic who diagnosed front right suspension spring coil fractured/broken. Made appointment with saab dealer who assured me it was safe to drive car to dealer. Drove approx. 1.5m when broken coil spring punctured tire resulting in blown-out tire. Saab towed car, replaced both front spring coils and tire at no change.
My front driver side coil has snapped and I've found out this is a recurring issue from saab. This is quite a dangerous situation. I've not seen any letter warning us of this potential danger.
Left front spring failure. There was an erratic occasional metal to metal noise coming from the under the hood. There was no indication of the spring being broken. Took car to service center and discovered spring failure. Upon further inquiry with saab dealer discovered this is a recurring problem. Had car repaired and parts replaced with new redesigned springs to correct defect. Old parts not available. Why hasn't a recall been issued? Why hasn't a warning been sent out to saab owners? We own a second saab 9-3 and I am concerned about front spring failure on this car!
Front coil spring has broken.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The left coil spring fractured and then punctured a whole in his driver side front tire. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer nor has the manufacturer been contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN number was unknown.
Driver side front coil spring "broke" while driving my 2004 saab 9-3 on the highway at over 50 MPH. Caused significant strut damage and rattling over the next few days as I was working to schedule in a mechanic visit. They finally quoted me $930 in repairs to replace both front springs, struts and to perform an alignment. Apparently, a lot of other saabs of the same model has had this issue arise for them, I think the springs should be recalled. It is a significant safety issue.
Coil spring on front right tire of 2004 saab 9-3 broke. Shredded tire.
Upon driving our 2004 saab 9-3 into a parking lot we noticed the car was not handling correctly. Front end was very low to ground, car not turning correctly, and making a noise. Upon having it towed to the dealer it appeared one of the front coil springs had snapped. Based on numerous other reported complaints similar to ours, we were very lucky that it happened very close to work, after getting off of the mass pike or we could have had a blown tire at 70 MPH. After discussion with the saab dealer and their district manager, saab replaced both front coil springs at no cost to us without any argument. Ironically a friend of ours had just had the exact same problem a month earlier with the same outcome.
Noticed a sudden steering pull and thump/rattle in front end. Drove to nearest shop to have a look and was told my front coil springs were broken and lucky that the spring did not shred the tire and cause a loss of control/accident! I've been told that this has been a somewhat common defect on similar year models. Shop recommended replace both springs before driving again.
Front spring coil is broke. During oil change, dealer checked and found a piece of the coil missing. I would like saab to reimburse for this $400+ repair job.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. While the contact was examining the vehicle she noticed that the front driver side coil spring snapped and punctured the front driver side tire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 45000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. When the contact released the seat belt, the mechanism on the door post made a loud noise and the seat belt failed. The dealer advised her to call the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer advised her to not drive the vehicle. The contact would have to pay for the repairs and then have the dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer stated that the seat belt failed and would cost $400 to repair. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v226000 (seat belts:front:retractor); however, the dealer stated that this recall does not exist. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 49,200. Updated 08/04/09 *bf the right front coil spring was broken. Updated 08/10/09.
Left front suspension coil spring broken.
Both front coil springs were broken when the car went in for inspection. Each of the front springs had approximately 3-4 inch long piece broken off where it meets the bottom retainer. Awaiting word from saab to see if they are going to cover the repair.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. While driving between 30-35 MPH, the contact heard a strange noise underneath the vehicle. The noise was first noticed two weeks ago. He jacked up the vehicle and noticed that the coil spring failed. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because a crash could have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 24,500.
2004 saab 93 arc 63,000 miles. Broken coil spring. I was driving at highway speed when I felt a large thump. My steering went erratic and heard grinding noises. I pulled over immediately. Car was towed. The cause and damage was determined to be a broken coil spring which chain reacted and caused the front strut to break, and bend the stabilizer bar. After researching this, I have found this to be a common problem in 03-05 saab 9-3 (listed with the federal safety agency as well as other sources) it is not recalled and saab has yet to determine if they will fix this as a courtesy. Bill, $1200.
Front driver side coil spring broke.
I have a 2004 saab 9-3 that has experienced a front suspension coil spring failure. There has been no damage as of yet but I would like gm to pay for replacing the defective part.
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