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Saab 9-3 fuel leak problems

14 of the 1,346 owner complaints about the Saab 9-3 describe fuel leak, most of them for the 2001 model year.

owner complaints
14
worst model year
2001
typical mileage
65,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2009
    1
  • 2005
    1
  • 2002
    3
  • 2001
    7
  • 2000
    2

What owners say

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Fuel system · 74,000 miles · IL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 saab 9-3. The contact stated while trying to start the vehicle, he heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated he saw smoke coming the hood. The contact stated no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated he exited the vehicle and was informed fire was coming from a fuel leak on the front passenger side. The contact stated a bystander came with a fire extinguisher and extinguish the fire. The contact stated there were no injuries or medical attention needed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called the local dealer flikkema saab located at 2424 176th st, lansing, il 60438, (708) 474-1933, and were made aware of failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 74,000. *dt

Filed Feb 18, 2019 · Fuel system · 119,800 miles · IL

Excessive leaking. Was driving on e-way and engine stopped or something occured where it sounded as if the car turned off. The battery was working but, when I pressed on accelerator it didn't propel forward. I carefully steered with hazard lights to side of the road. Ignition cranks but, car won't turn over. Replaced direct ignition coil, crankshaft sensor but, issue seems to be the fuel pump. A recall was issued regarding this: recall 06v126000 affected cars saab 9-3 2001 engine, may 12, 2006 original recall from the federal safety agency manufacturer's report date may 12, 2006 the federal safety agency action number rq05003 potential number of units affected 11,886 the federal safety agency campaign id number 06v126000 component fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings summary on certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Consequence over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saab 9-3. While in park, there were strong fuel fumes emitting from the exterior of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tab attached to the fuel pump and the fuel lines fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v087000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2015 · Fuel system · 7,000 miles · CT

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 saab 9-3. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, a strong odor of fuel emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact observed fuel leaking from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pump and it needed t be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11e009000 (fuel system and gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.

Filed Feb 26, 2011 · Fuel system · 125,200 miles · MD

Gas started leaking at a steady stream from the top of the tank whenever the engine was running. The car was towed to the dealer. From the dealer repair statement: "customer states check raw gas leaking from above the fuel tank, only with car running. Fuel tank retainer clip broken. Replaced fuel tank retainer clip." my concern: this exact same problem (fuel tank retainer clip failure and leaking gas) was a safety recall for 2001 and newer saab 9-3s. Saab should have included 2000 models as well since they have the same design (according to the dealer and comments on the web). Overall, this is a good car, but safety matters!

Filed Aug 14, 2006 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated an odor of fuel was detected while driving and while stopped a puddle was noticed on the ground. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop who determined the vehicle had leaked fuel. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the retainer tabs holding the fuel line were defective and they were replaced. There was a the federal safety agency recall, #04v557000, pertaining to the fuel lines. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Feb 27, 2006 · Fuel system · 43,444 miles · MD

My 2001 saab 9-3 began leaking fuel, culminating with a major leak of fuel from the bottom of the vehicle on 2/26. Car was towed to the dealer, who explained that the problem was with tabs holding in the fuel pump. Recall number 04v557 was the exact same problem, exact same make, model and year but did not cover my VIN. Saab must not have covered enough vehicles in its recall. Vin ends with 12050281. I think the federal safety agency should investigate.

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Fuel system · 83,000 miles · PA

Dt: the contact stated the fuel line came off the fuel pump. The car was spurting gas. The contact took the car to the nearest garage. They replaced the fuel pump. He found the federal safety agency recall 04v557000/saab recall 15018 which dealt with a similar problem as his vehicle. The dealership told him this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. When the contact talked to the manufacturers, they told him that because he did not take the car to a gm or saab dealership to have recall repair work done the repair work was not covered under the warranty. *ak phone interview update: the complainant was driving home when he smelled fuel odor. The repairing garage replaced the fuel pump because the fuel line retaining tab on the pump is broken which caused the fuel leak.

Filed Oct 24, 2005 · Fuel system · 50,300 miles · OH

A fuel leak from the brackets that hold the fuel tank together. A recall has been filed on saab 9-3 2001 -2004 cars. This is saab 9-3 2001, recall number is 04v557000, VIN number [xxx], it seems if this has a recall on some cars, if a car has the problem you would think it would be fixed by the recall. The car had to be towed for fire possibilities. It has been towed to the saab dealer in fairfield oh. The dealer is claiming that this car was not affected by recall. I feel that this is the recall problem. And it specifically states saab 9-3 2001 - 2002. *nm updated 07/18/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Fuel system · 61,000 miles · PA

While driving my car, I smelled gas and when I got it back to my job site, I looked underneath to see gas leaking from under my car. I called my garage and they had to tow it in due to the safety issues. They put in a new seal and snapped the fuel line back together becasue they couldn't find anything else wrong with it. 3 weeks later, I'm driving my car again and smeelled gas again. I pulled over somewhere safe and looked under only to find gas leaking again. I called my garage and had it towed a second time. Since it happened a 2nd time and there was no clear reason why it should have happened either time, my garage called the dealership where I bought the car. They told him there was a recall for that problem and they had new clamps produced to fix the problem. But htye also told him that my car's VIN didn't fall within the recall. They sold my gargage the part to put on my car but that's all they would have to do with it. I called saab USA and they told me the same thing. My VIN wasn't in the selection for the recall and that's why I wasn't notified and the federal safety agency lets them know the recall numbers and that's what they're responsible for. My car had the safelty problem actually happen and just because my VIN wasn't one of the ones selected, I'm not covered. I was very fortunate that it didn't result in a car fire. I feel I should be compensated for my garage bills for a problem that might have been rectified if recalled.

Related recalls

Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pumpReported January 19, 2011 · 4,400 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Saab is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 passenger vehicles manufactured from june 2010 through december 2010. Certain fuel pumps installed as original equipment may have internal components with incorrect specifications.
Risk
The subject fuel pumps can seize causing the engine to stall which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Saab will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The safety recall began on march 3, 2011. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 11V015000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported March 7, 2007 · 94,377 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on june 13, 2007. This is an expansion of previous recall campaigns - see 04v557 and 06v126. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 07V087000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported April 20, 2006 · 11,886 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on may 12, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 06V126000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported November 19, 2004 · 17,394 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Risk
Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel may ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on march 14, 2005. Owners should contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 04V557000 · Recall details

Questions about the Saab 9-3 fuel leak

Which Saab 9-3 years have fuel leak problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2001 (7 complaints), 2002 (3 complaints) and 2000 (2 complaints).

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