Saab 9-3 grinding brakes problems

Filed Dec 23, 2016 · Body · 33,000 miles · KY

The rear side door window has had all of the following issues, which LED up to its current state - the window is inoperative. I have not had it repaired because it is likely to re-occur, due to poor fit, and faulty alignment. ' window rattles or squeaks. ' window binds. ' window has slow operation. ' window fits poorly or is misaligned. Currently, rear driver side window inoperable, and fits the following gm communication (the federal safety agency id number: 10054243 manufacturer communication number: pi-0018-b general motors: the windows, front and rear, would bind, poor fit, misalignment, makes rattle or squeaking noises, moves slowly and is inoperative. Model 2008-2014 vehicles and trucks. Is there a recall for this defect?

Filed Feb 20, 2015 · Suspension · 106,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a popping and metal grinding sound. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front driver side coil spring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Suspension · 74,155 miles · MA

I have a 2005 saab 9-3 that became undriveable after the front left coils/springs broke, puncturing the front driver's side tire. The car was in motion when a popping sound was heard, followed by grinding and a burning rubber smell. At that point the car was not able to be driven. It was towed to a local repair shop and then to a saab dealership to complete the repairs because there is a campaign out for this issue, but not a recall. The springs/coils were replaced for free but the tire cost was prorated and the car required an alignment after the repairs which was not covered in the cost. This car had been in the dealer service department 2 weeks prior to this failure and the coils/springs were specifically checked due to the campaign. The service department determined that the parts did not show any sign of damage and so were not replaced. Both tow truck drivers and the repair shop owner commented that I was lucky that this did not happen on the highway, considering how quickly it rendered the car undriveable and what could have happened had I been going at a fast rate of speed, surrounded by other cars. I am shocked that this issue is not a recall as it is a huge safety risk.

Filed Apr 5, 2011 · Suspension · 53,000 miles · NY

Since I bought my car (new) in june '05 I have complained of a "crunching noise" in the front suspension every time the weather turned cold. I was told the problems varied from ball bearings to the sway bar, to just dirt build up. Each time the dealer made some "repair" to get me out the door. The problem continued. Now, april '11 I have a broken spring in the front passenger side. I have been told that I have to pay the dealer to diagnose the problem before they will consider fixing it under any special circumstance free of charge. I have sourced some parts for it and am considering having it fixed by myself, rather than go to the dealer who brushed me off for 5 years. Thankfully I was just pulling out of my parking spot when I heard the grinding noise from the front passenger side and I was not traveling at a high rate of speed when this happened. The spring broke downward and was very near the tire. There could have been a serious tire blowout on the highway had I not been so lucky.

Filed Mar 6, 2011 · Suspension · 55,662 miles · NH

2005 saab 9-3 driver's side front strut spring just broke. No warning, drove yesterday and car was fine, went to back out of garage and a terrible grinding, scraping noise occurred. Discovered the spring broke and rubbing against tire. Luckily this did not occur while driving at normal speeds. Seems like it could have caused tire blow out and possibly an accident.

Filed Mar 4, 2010 · Suspension · 76,000 miles · KY

This is on a 2003 saab 9-3 2.0t linear model. There were no injuries this time but the potential is very much there. My wife was pulling out from a stop light and hear a loud pop followed by a loud grinding noise. She pulled off immediately. When I arrived on scene, I found that the drivers front wheel was pushed up into the wheel well. When I removed the tire I found that the spring had broken in two (the bottom last ring broke off) and had dropped down to where the jagged end (still attached/wrapped around the shock) was poking into the tire. It had left a relatively deep gouge all the way around the tire. I am sure I don't have to explain to you what could happen if the spring were to break on the interstate at 70mph and puncture the tire. I am quite certain that if my wife would have kept driving any distance that the spring would have dug its way through the side wall and punctured it. Remember, we cant always just pull off the interstate or stop at the drop of a hat. If you have ever driven through atlanta you will know this to be true ;) anyway, went digging on the internet trying to purchase replacement springs and found out that saab had issued a special warranty for spring failures on some of the 9-3's (including mine). Apparently,saab is aware that road debris can get jammed in the spring mount and eat at the coating away on the bottom coil and allow corrosion to work its magic resulting in the springs breaking/failing. So, I call saab. They tell me that I am not covered because I do not live in what they consider to be the snow belt. Which is the upper/more northern states. They tell me that the failure has been reported more in these states and it is due to road salting. Furthermore, I am told that they are only replacing the springs after they have failed. As these cars start to get some age on them, I think we are going to start seeing more and more of these failures. Will it take someone dying for them to issue a recall campaign?

Filed Dec 31, 2009 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 40 MPH she heard a loud grinding noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the sway bar failed because of the right front coil spring. The manufacturer took a report. The manufacturer wanted to offer $100.00 towards the cost for repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 83,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2009 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · IL

Similar issue to the federal safety agency defect investigation # pe08005. Loss of brake power assist after a cold start up and reversing. The vehicle is very hard to stop, requiring high pedal pressure, until the car has warmed up for ~30 seconds. This has occurred numerous times over the past 6 months. It is more prominent after sitting for several days. Also while driving on the road, when a bump is hit while brakes are applied, brakes make a metal-on-metal grinding sound and the braking action does not work until additional pressure is applied. This also happened when braking on slippery road conditions such as snow or rain. This caused a near accident when my car did not stop for another 10 feet than intended and entered an intersection on a red light.

Filed May 18, 2009 · Suspension · 63,000 miles · IN

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.

Filed May 12, 2008 · Brakes · NC

When a bump is hit while brakes are applied, brakes make a metal-on-metal grinding sound. When steering wheel is turned after braking (pulling into or out of parking space) metallic clicking sound is heard. Brakes work better after car is warmed up.