2008 Saab 9-3: won't start

Filed Dec 3, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · NY

My vehicle doesn't start/idle well in the cold due to the air intake manifold bolts slowly becoming loose. **when driving and shifting** the vehicle cannot handle the extra unclean air entering the system and will stall out while going anywheres from 0-60+ MPH, once the engine shuts off all power steering also shuts down. The secondary issue is an acceleration problem because the seals on the air intake valves into the combustion chamber have become faulty resulting in cylinder misfires and a high amount of vibration intermittently while driving, the symptoms come and go with increasing frequency as time goes on. This secondary issue ties into the first issue because of shifting with a standard my vehicle today (12/3/2020) shut off while driving 7 times to and from my job.

Filed Jul 5, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · DE

My car wouldn't start so I replaced the battery and the crankshaft sensor. It drove fine and then I parked it and went out a little later and it would jerk and try to stall while I was driving, sputtering like I was running out of gas. If I pressed the accelerator, it wouldn't accelerate and then it would surge forward. I ran some errands and it drove fine. After my final errand, the car struggled to start but did and idled really roughly. I put it into gear and it died. I couldn't get it started again. After reading other posts, this seems like an issue with these years and veey dangerous.

Filed Feb 20, 2020 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA

The valves on these cars are defective and start failing around 60k miles. This is a widely know issue affecting the 2008 saab 9-3 2.0l engines. Gm needs to take responsibility for these repairs given the known manufacturing defects. Car will not start when cold and there is nothing the dealer can do other than perform a major valve job (+$2300) => https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/08-saab-cold-start-rough-idle.327778/

Filed Feb 7, 2019 · Engine · 150,000 miles · MI

Vehicle exhibits all signs of premature intake valve wear causing loss of compression and/or hard start/no start when ambient air temp is below 40 degrees. See all previous complaints of the same issue!

Filed Feb 15, 2018 · Engine · MN

Hard starting cold with engine misfire and low compression, vehicle starts and runs normally when hot 2007-11 9-3 b207 & 2011 9-5 a20nft ______________________________________________ this is a re-issue of a previously published document with updated information highlighted inred. Models: 2007-2008 saab 9-3 b207r (this pi does not apply to the b284 engine) update: this condition could also occur on 2009-11 b207 or 2011 9-5 a20nft condition/concern: a technician may comment of hard or no starting when cold. They may also find engine misfires with dtc's p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303 or p0304. The vehicle will start and run normally when hot. Recommendations/instructions: this condition may be caused by a worn intake valve and is typically found on vehicles with 50,000 or more miles. Due to the nature of this issue it can be more frequent in cold climates and could exhibit the condition at a lower mileage; inversely in warmer climates it may occur at a higher mileage. Tac has found intake valve wear of the valve seat face will cause significant compression loss in cold temperatures that will not be readily apparent when hot. To properly diagnose this condition perform a cold (after an overnight stay is best) compression and leak down test. As an example, an engine with a 150-175 psi hot cranking compression reading may only show 75 to 90 psi when cold. Once a technician has determined he has the above described concern he must initiate a technical assistance center (tac) case by email at xxxx or by phone at xxxxx prompt #3. Tac will provide the full information on the parts/repair procedure when the case is set. Parts required: inlet valve 2007 to 2011, biopower 55563529 (8 required)

Filed Mar 30, 2016 · Engine · 100,000 miles · PA

Intake valve issue - car will not start on a cold day and, sometimes at a stop sign /light, will stall - had to two mechanics depict the issue and it is the intake valve issue - many saab's have reported this issue and nothing was done by gm - I called gm and they said that they are not responsible - this issue has been reported several times and there are several threads as well.

Filed Feb 16, 2016 · Engine · 75,000 miles · NY

I didn't have a problem with the car in southern california, but I moved to new york at about 75k miles - and I noticed a problem right away. Rough idling started, and would even turn on, then right back off. The problem was not an issue again during the summer months, so I was able to drive it to 83k miles. Now that it is winter time, even though it is garaged it will not start if it is under 45 degrees. I had it checked out with a certified saab mechanic and he confirmed by way of compression test that it is indeed the dreaded intake valve problem. The estimate for repair is $2,230!

Filed Aug 9, 2015 · Engine · 60,500 miles · IN

I have the same issue that others have talked about. Gm put cheap valves in engine--they have now failed for a number of us. Cold starting, rough idle, smell of gas, ultimately will not start. Expensive repair on car without much mileage 60k repair is 2500-3000 gm should fix these for free or reduced cost.

Filed May 24, 2015 · Engine · 51,426 miles · PA

Car will not start on cold days. Found cylinders 1 and or with low compression.intake valves need replacement.

Filed Feb 14, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · PA

We purchased a 2008 saab 9-3 in 3/2011 with 34,000 miles. As of 2/2015 the vehicle has 104,000 miles. Last month the vehicle barely started after sitting overnight and would take several minutes to reach a normal idle. It would then start the rest of the day, sometimes after a "hard" start. The check engine light came on and the mechanic said the code read as a "cylinder misfire" code. 8 days ago the car would not start and is now sitting in my driveway. I called a saab specialist about 2 hours away from me who knew exactly what the problem was. He explained the intake valve problem that a lot of saab owners are experiencing due to defective materials used by gm and/or suppliers. He said the cost will be at least $2,200 but could easily be more depending on the severity. This is a known defect (a service bulletin has been issued detailing this issue) that should be subject to a recall. We cannot afford to fix an engine that does not work due to substandard valves. This is not a normal "wear and tear" issue, but an issue dealing with parts that were doomed from the beginning.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Engine · 90,000 miles · CT

Vehicle doesn't start due to low compression on cold days. Car will leave you stranded in extreme temps.

Filed Dec 3, 2014 · Engine · 128,000 miles · NY

Same as problem below: since I need the car badly, I've instructed my mechanic to start working on the fix. Over time the valves in the 2.0t engine will wear causing dramatic loss in compression. Problem starts with rough idling and trouble turning over at cold start but escalates to a point where the car will not start what so ever. It appears that when manufacturing the engine gm put valves made of a softer than usual metal. These valves get essentially hammered against the cylinder head to a point where the edges become so thin they are razor sharp. A service bulletin was sent out to dealers from spna (saab parts north america), which means that gm is well aware of this issue. A saab mechanic warned me that the problem could get worse at any time regardless of mileage and that sooner of later my car would not start. To fix this issue all 16 valves would need to be replaced. This involves serious time and effort and I was quoted a price of up to $3,000 for a repair. Please be advised that this problem effects every saab 9-3 with the 2.0t from 2007 to 2011. Gm should be held accountable for these faulty parts and issue a recall.