Had cylinder compression test performed, major variance in cylinder psis and engine running erratically. Pulled the head and discovered intake & exhaust valves both excessively worn and a few bent. This is a known issue on many 9-3s during this time period. My issues surfaced surprisingly late, most have shown many miles earlier. This was a very expensive and time consuming repair at $1900. This issue should be addressed as there seems to be evidence that bad parts were used and have deteriorated prematurely.
2007 Saab 9-3 engine complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 24 of 24, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Intake valve failure on 2.0 turbo. Chronic problem with this model due to defective valves. Widespread problem on the internet linked to improperly hardened intake valves. The car failed to start and a cylinder compression check indicated that compression was lost on all four cylinders. $2,600 repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saab 9-3. The vehicle stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileages was 26,000.
During colder starts, the engine will take much longer than it should to start. Either it will try and crank until it does or it will crank and stall. Usually a few tries and it will clear up once the engine is warm. I think this might have to do with the intake valves being warn out prematurely. Many other saab owners in the same few years and mileage are having this problem.
Upon start, rough idle and misfires. Occasional stalling. Defect traced to metallurgical issues in the intake valves of the vehicle causing an improper seal when the engine is cold.
Began having issues starting, and misfires, and finally engine lost compression but still able to start when weather was warm. Nov -dec 2011 no start or hard start in weather below 35f,local service shop said needed new engine, no compression when sat for long periods or exterior temp below 35f approx 94,000 mile. Dec 2011- called saab but bankrupt so no customer service, reached out to gm corporate regarding warranty and was told not honoring them since bankruptcy. Jan 2012 -2nd opinion by indy saab focused service center. Thought wrong oil was put in and with proper oil car, new spark plugs, fuel pump, etc started even in cold weather, but still misfired and rough idle and had to start in cold had mild winter.jan 2013- same no start in cold and compression test again and cold test showed no compression in all cylinders. Hard to start when outside temp was below 30f and tested compression again and loss of compression, and ran sea foam through engine to remove carbon buildup upon suggestion from website board, others having issues with gm motors! Not specific to saab. Still randomly started car ever 6 hours when temp dropped below 28f. Mar 2013- did another top engine cleaning with sea foam, mild weather until december. Dec 4th 2013-again hard start in cold weather did another top engine cleaning with sea foam.jan 8, 2014- temp outside 22f no start again after sitting for 6 hours, battery dead from cranking, car towed, and no compression again, another 2 cycles top engine cleaning, car started after sitting in shop overnight. Jan 22, 2014- temp outside 16f, sat idle for 8 hours, no start again, battery died from cranking, car towed to shop, waiting on diagnosis. Found mention of spna technical bulletin dated 12/17/2013 hard starting cold w/ engine misfire and low compression 9-3 b207 and it described my issue perfectly. Reaching out local saab/gm service center.
In cold weather (slightly below freezing at the time) vehicle started but idled very roughly. Drove down street and while coasting engine was idling and sputtered and stalled within 1 minute of initial start. Loss of brake assist, power steering, power to accelerate with traffic. Pulled off to side and restarted engine. Again rough idle. Applied gas pedal and held rpms slightly above idle to warm engine. After ~5 minutes, car was idling normally. No further issues once engine reached operating temperature. Upon research saab/gm (spna technical assistance) has issued a notice to certified service centers that intake valves are prematurely wearing causing severe issues in cold start situations. Notice is dated 12/17/2013 and was re-issued to expand scope of model years known to be effected. This warrants an investigation for potential recall, as no vehicle should result in such significant degradation of a major engine component with such limited miles. Repair requires major engine work to replace all intake valves.
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.
Owner drove saab to mall and parked it. Approximately 20-30 minutes later, came back out to car and observed that fire department had extinguished a fire in the saab. Fire originated in right rear of engine compartment. Cause undetermined at this time. Vehicle has 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
Owner parked the vehicle at work and when owner got out, owner noticed a weird electrical type smell. Owner went inside to work. Approximately 5 minutes later, someone came in and said that the saab was smoking. Owner went outside and saw smoke coming from around the hood and also saw some embers dripping underneath the saab. Someone else called the fire department. By the time the fire department arrived, there was fire appearing up through the hood and cowl area. Vehicle has 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
2007 saab 9-3 the vehicle stalls during hot and cold weather. Sometimes the vehicle runs "rough" the vehicle has then stalled in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle has been to the dealer six times for this problem. Saab USA has been made aware of this problem and I advised them I want them to buy the vehicle back. The vehicle is still under it's factory warranty.
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.
2007 saab 9-3 went on fire with driver in it. Car was serviced at massey saab, orlando, flon june 3rd, 2008 (40,000 mile service, electrical repairs, detail, wheel alignment). Vehicle was in mcdonald's drive-through in orlando fl on junction of 535 n and hotel plaza blvd. Engine caught on fire. Manger of mcdonald's (frederico) and I (driver) pushed car away from building and other people. Flames entered cabin while I was in the vehicle steering it. I jumped out just in time, and the whole car went up in flames. There have been records of other saab's having similar fire problems in the past. I would like to have this investigated so other's are not injured in an occurrence like this. I am lucky to be alive. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames, and informed me how lucky I was that I jumped out, and not brought the car home and parked it in my garage. Otherwise the whole neighborhood would have been affected. I do not have the full VIN b/c the car is completely totaled in fire. The last six numbers are 013430. The vehicle belongs to a fleet company wheels inc. I work for a pharmaceutical company, and this was my company car. Wheels/roche should have all details on the vehicle when you are investigating. Information for orange county fire rescue 407‑836‑9000 run# 47137; mcdonald's phone #: 407‑827‑1030.
2007, 2.0t saab 93 engine stalling start engine, hot or cold, place gear selector in forward or reverse, the engine will stall out, but will immediately re-start. Car has been back to dealer twice for re-programming of ECM, but engine still stalls.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2007 Saab 9-3?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history