Saab 9-3 won't start problems

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 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 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 Aug 29, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 12,000 miles · CA

My car won't start and no mechanic can figure out exactly why due to there not being any saab dealers near the area I'm stuck in... I have been living out of my car for 3 months cuz I don't want anyone to steal my car

Filed Mar 20, 2018 · Engine, Suspension · 134,000 miles · WI

First issue was front suspension coils. Replaced both. Biggest issue was once the weather became very cold, car would not start. Ended up being a victim of the bad intake valves provided by gm. Now, after a complete valve job and having the car run great from march 2017 to dec 2017..it appears it may have a cracked block. Car never overheated. Fluids were always maintained. Looked into that and apparently there were some casting issues as well. Thanks gm.

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 Jan 5, 2018 · Engine · 70,000 miles · MA

My car has fallen victim to the soft intake valve issue. My car was parked in my driveway, it ran perfectly well the night before. I attempted to move it on christmas eve morning 12/24/2017 but it would not start. I then had it towed to my local saab mechanic, automotion in billerica, ma- the owner said this is a well known issue he has seen on a number of occasions; he said he saw it so many times he purchased new equipment to be prepared for the volume of customers. This is being well documented at the saabcentral forum found at www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=329066 my 2009 9-3 is about to hit 70,000 miles; mechanic is currently working to fix the intake valve issue at a cost of $2,245.00 plus tax. There are 35 pages of documented instances at saabcentral. It absolutely should be investigated whether or not gm allowed these faulty engines to be in production and sold to customers. It has been stated that gm allowed soft, non-heat hardened intake valves to be used; these intake valves will deform overtime and lead to the combustion chamber not having a perfect seal.

Filed Dec 6, 2017 · Engine · 80,000 miles · OH

The intake valves are worn on the engine this started around 80,000 miles and has progressively gotten worse. The car will not start on very cold days. If it does, it idles very rough and hard. Date below is an estimate of when this started.