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2007 Saab 9-3 electrical problems

12 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 52,000.

owner complaints
12
of this car's complaints
8%
typical mileage
52,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

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 electrical problems in other years

199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Engine compartment fireOpened July 15, 2009, closed December 16, 2009

The office of defects investigation (odi) is aware of 7 subject vehicles that have allegedly experienced engine compartment fires originating at the coil-on-plug (cop) ignition coil assembly and 28 alleged non-fire thermal events resulting in damage limited to the subject component and associated wiring. All reported incidents occurred while the vehicles were attended and in all but one case the subject vehicles were repaired and returned to service after the incident involving the alleged defect. According to general motors (gm), a ceramic capacitor used in the electromagnetic noise filter circuit inside the subject component may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. A fracture inside the capacitor may, depending on its size and location, result in a resistive short circuit. When energized, the resistive short circuit may cause heat that can melt the potting epoxy around the circuit board and lead to smoke, odor and in some instances fire. Other symptoms may include a misfire condition resulting in rough running and/or illumination of the service engine soon telltale light. All 7 fires occurred relatively early in the service life of the vehicle at 120, 171, 198, 207, 297, 365 and 394 days in service, respectively. Odi analysis indicates that approximately 98% of the subject vehicle population is now beyond the exposure age at which fire incidents were observed. The last known fire incident occurred in may 2009 on a vehicle that had 394 days in service and the last know fire incident previous to that occurred in december 2008 on a vehicle that had 198 days in service. 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 the field experience of the subject vehicles as it relates to the alleged defect and will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Additionally, the manufacturer will provide the agency with an update of complaint and warranty information in 6 months from the closing date of this investigation and until that time it will notify the agency within 5 business days of any fire incidents it becomes aware of that relates, or may relate, to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.

PE09032

What 2007 Saab 9-3 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 24, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · CA

Purchased saab 9-3 2007 brand new. Nearly immediately the headlights kept going out. I found myself replacing them often and twice was pulled over by police when I hadn't realized and had just replaced the passenger side headlight. Also got one key at the time of purchase. The A/C wasn't working well so finally took it to the saab dealer in santa fe, nm in 2008 with complaints. They were to get me a second key, fix the A/C, check the leather on front seat and figure out what was wrong with electrical and headlights going out. The electric panel, indicating problems, was not working properly. They took my one key and told me they would be in touch as it was still under warranty. After a few days of a rental, I contacted and no one answered. I drove out to the dealership and no cars. A woman sitting inside at a simple desk in empty gm/saab showroom. She said they were all shocked, had no warning as employees and the dealership was gone no records on my car. No other dealer picking it up as they didn't have saab specialist. Long story short, I never got help from anyone, never got the repairs, never got the promised second key and have been driving it ever since. It enrages me. All under warranty! No complaints or letters have been answered. I was shocked they got away with it. Oh and the electric panel cover was gone as well. Lost. How they got away with all this is unknown. The leather on the driver's seat started cracking and peeling the first year! I put expensive leather conditioners on as well. Nothing. I am still furious and still have the car. No corporate offices would help either. I finally gave up. .

Filed Jun 17, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 80,000 miles · FL

While driving the ignition switch turns to the off position suddenly. This happens when there are any vibrations in the car such as when I reach into and shut the center counsel, shut the glovebox, when anything even lightly grazes the key fob, when a balloon popped in my car and even when I sneeze in the car! When this happens the car completely looses power such as lights (interior and exterior), power steering, speed and basically all controls of the car are lost. The car ignition has moved to off at many speeds including 65 MPH on the freeway, 50 MPH, 35 MPH, 25 MPH and even while backing out of the driveway. This is extremely dangerous! I can't drive on the freeway because I am deathly scared my car will shut down when I hit a bump in the road. If that was to happen I would be dead in a second! This faulty ignition could cause great harm to not only myself yet to innocent people on the road. This is the second ignition switch I have put in my saab and it has 94.5k miles on it. Saab's are famous for their electrical ignition issues and I beg the government to please step in and demand a recall. Best regards, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 18, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · 73,708 miles · OH · 1 injury

I was driving my car through town and the left side of the driver's seat got so hot it burned my upper left thigh and I was trying to pull my leg out of the way and almost crashed, and when I stopped the car I saw that it had also burnt the leather seat leaving about a four and a half inch burn mark on the seat above the heater coil.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 99,500 miles · MI

While attempting to install new headlights, I removed the negative on the battery. After putting the negative back on to the battery, the system has reset and has not rebooted since then. The car is in minimal driving condition, performance has significantly dropped and the steering wheel locks while driving at high speeds, the engine knocks and shakes at high speeds, there is no more turbo boost and while flooring the gas pedal, the car is hesitant to increase speed.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Electrical · WI

2007 saab 9-3. Consumer writes in regards to ignition switch failure. Consumer has previous complaint in artemis with a different vehicle and odi number. *smd the consumer stated the vehicle completely shut down. The ignition switch was replaced, after being at the dealer for a week.

Filed Apr 6, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 78,000 miles · NY

My 2007 saab 9-3, has incidents of not starting when I insert the key into the ignition. I get an that indicates "steering wheel lock malfunction. Pull over safely". This has happened to me while stopped at a light and while driving on the highway at speeds of 65 miles per hour. I notice that while the car is in gear, I can drive it but once I place it in park, the car will not drive. I have to turn the car off and restart it in order to move it. I am concerned for my safety if this should happen while I am driving. The car is a general motors product however gm neglected to keep my car warranty information once they discontinued selling saab. I can no longer get any information from gm on any recalls. I purchased my car new and it has 78,000 miles.

Filed Mar 30, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 52,000 miles · CT

I was driving my gas gage needle went all the way down,& only comes up when I actually start the vehicle. Thanks let me know please who will fix this, if there's a recall I called the dealer where I bought this vehicle and they said there's no recalls at this time hoffman saab hartford ,ct.

Filed Oct 9, 2012 · Body, Electrical · 33,000 miles · MI · fire

On august 27, 2012, while shopping in the mall, I came out side to the fire department putting a fire out that looks to have occurred while I was in the store. I don't understand how the care caught fire while it was parked. When I got out of the car it seemed to be fine. The fire marshall report side that it was an electrical fire that started because a defect from the manufacturer.

Filed Jan 16, 2012 · Electrical, Seats · 49,000 miles · MI

I was driving my 2007 saab 93 aero. There must have been something faulty with the wiring of my seat warmer. It had gave me a slight burn on my left bottom/leg area. Good thing I turned it off in time because I also started smelling as if an electrical fire had been starting. It smelt of burned leather and possibly other components. After contacting the dealership there where unwilling to take care of this issue for no cost but in my opinion that should be the least of there worries. This to me is a liability issue and a possible fire hazard.

Filed Jun 22, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 23,200 miles · SC · fire

2007 saab 9-3 aero equipped with 2.8l v6 turbo engine (convertible) - engine compartment fire - (odometer - 23,200 miles) upon starting, engine ran a little rough, proceeded to saab dealer for service - no service lights on dash - eventually lost power brakes - engine stalled and burst into flames - all happened within a one-mile distance.

Questions about the 2007 Saab 9-3 electrical

Does the 2007 Saab 9-3 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 12 complaints about the electrical of the 2007 Saab 9-3, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2007 Saab 9-3 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 52,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2007 Saab 9-3 electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Saab 9-3 have the most electrical problems?

The Saab 9-3 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (46 complaints), 2000 (23 complaints) and 2001 (23 complaints).

Other 2007 Saab 9-3 problems

Airbags 65Engine 24Suspension 24Brakes 13Seat belts 7Fuel system 6Seats 5Acceleration 4Steering 4Body 3Transmission 3Lights 2Driver assistance 1Locks 1Tires 1Visibility 1

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