Saab 9-3 engine failure problems

Filed Jun 14, 2016 · Engine · 74,000 miles · OH

The stock intake valves are bad, noticed problem at 75,000 miles and bought the car at 74,000. This is a very common problem for this year including engine failure. Over a 3,000$ fix.

Filed Jun 1, 2015 · Airbags, Seat belts · 163,000 miles · NY · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 saab 9-3. While driving at approximately 15 MPH while the brake pedal was depressed, the seat belt violently seized across the contact's chest causing her to lose consciousness. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2015 · Seat belts · 162,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saab 9-3. The contact stated that the seat belt retractor seized. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Jan 22, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jan 1, 2014 · Engine · 104,000 miles · MN

Noticed our 2008 saab 9-3 2.0 has been starting and idling rough in could weather. Once the car warms up to operating regular operating temperature, the car idles smoothly. Performed a compression test on the cold engine and found low compression on two of the four cylinders. Apparently, the intake valves in the cylinder on this model are wearing badly not seating correctly when the engine is cold. Once the engine warms up and expands, the valves seat correctly and engines runs normally. This is a catastrophic engine failure and gm should recall these cars to repair engine with the proper valves. I have requested quoted from two independent shops and they we $2100 and $2300 respectively. We haven't been able to start the car in a week.

Filed Aug 30, 2010 · Engine · 46,000 miles · CT

My 2006 saab 3 convertible only has 46,000 miles on it. We purchased it in may of 2006. Recently the "coolant level low" light kept coming on. We would top off the coolant and in about 8 days the light would be on again. The saab dealer in guilford, ct. 06437, where I brought it to be repaired, has indicated to me that it needs a new engine because the coolant was leaking into the engine!! Saab said that they would pay $6,000 toward engine parts. I have to pay the remaining $2,000. The new engine might be rebuilt or new and only guaranteed for one year. The car will be in the shop for "at least" a week. During that time saab is giving me a free loaner to use. I believe that my car was at danger for an engine fire because the coolant was leaking into the engine, according to saab. The car was too new with too little mileage for such a safety hazard to occur. I have heard of other saabs having this problem and believe that saab should pay the entire cost of the repair under a recall.

Filed Jul 30, 2009 · Brakes, Electrical · 40,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 saab 9-3. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the power steering failed. Immediately, the brake and accelerator pedals failed to respond and the engine stalled without warning. The engine failed to restart after several attempts. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician stated that the failure was related to the idling within the computerized system. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures. The technician stated that the failures were related to the temperature sensor, which was replaced. The failure continued and the vehicle is currently being repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 40,550.

Filed May 6, 2008 · Engine · 104,000 miles · NY

My car stopped on mass turnpike around midnight. I had vehicle towed to the nearest saab dealer. Their diagnosis was the oil sludge. Even at that time the dealer did not mention anything about special warranty the saab announced in 2005. I have never received any information from the saab as well. After I search the internet I found out about the special warranty. I filed a claim and submitted all oil change receipts I had ( it is their requirement to qualify for the special warranty). The car is almost 8years old. The only three receipts I did not submit were when the car had 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles. My claim was rejected based on these 3 missing oilchange receipts. I am a second owner therefore I do not have these records and saab refused to provide me with the previous owner's name ( privacy act) and they also refused to contact the previous owner on my behalf. The mileage on the car at the time of the engine failure was 104,000 miles. It is obvious that the oil change in the first year of the car had nothing to do with the problem I have experienced. The car would not drive for the next 7 years. The people in the saab's special warranty dept. Were arrogant and totally unprofessional. Their response to me was " buy a new car". As of now my car is undrivable and has no value. I strongly feel that saab corp. Should take care of that problem under the special warranty. If you are unable to help me please direct me to the right place. That car cost me so much money and I refuse to accept their decision.

Filed Mar 11, 2008 · Engine · 61,300 miles · CT

2001 saab 9-3 with oil light illuminated. Consumer states that the vehicle would not restart when pulled to the side of the road. Consumer stated that there were a lot of reports of oil sludge on this make and model. *kb the consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer and was informed the vehicle needed a new engine, due to sludge build-up in the oil pan.

Filed Feb 22, 2008 · Engine · 61,000 miles · CT

No warning. Oil light goes on while driving on the highway. Vehicle towed to saab dealership. Engine seized. Sludge found in the oil pickup pan. Perfect service records. Saab/gm will not honor extended 8 year warranty. For known sludge problem.