2008 Saab 9-3 problems
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Common 2008 Saab 9-3 problems
The Saab 9-3, produced in 2008, is known for several common problems that potential buyers should be aware of.
- Bulkhead Issues: When driving the car, if you hear a clicking noise during full lock steering movements, it could indicate a problem with the bulkhead, which is caused by a mounting system that connects this part to the steering rack. This issue can result in vague and slightly unresponsive steering, which is a safety concern.
- Cooler Oil Leaks: Examine the coolant under the hood for signs of oil contamination. Saab 9-3s are known to have leaks between the lubrication and cooling systems due to the chain. This issue can be expensive to fix and should be a significant consideration when purchasing a used Saab 9-3.
- Hood Problems: If you're considering a convertible model, ensure that the hood is in good working order. Raise and lower it a few times to ensure it's functioning correctly, and check for any rips or damage.
- Interior Heating Issues: One of the most common issues with the Saab 9-3 is with the heating system, specifically the dial controls and knobs. These are known to easily crack off and split, but fortunately, they cost less than £10 each to repair.
- Oil Sludge: If you're considering a petrol-powered 9-3, ensure that the previous owner has kept up with regular services and used the recommended oil. If not, you could experience costly problems with the engine due to oil sludge buildup.
- Strut Mounts: Listen for grinding noises or squeaks, particularly when going around corners. The likely culprit in this scenario is the mounts and bearings at the top of the McPherson struts in the suspension system.
- ABS and Traction Control Light Problems: Many owners have reported persistent ABS and traction control light problems concerning second-generation Saab 9-3s from 2002 to 2011 (with the exception of the 2009 model year). Corroded wire harness connectors in the front wheel sensors could be the source of this problem.
- Peeling Buttons: The climate control button set on the Saab 9-3 is known to peel and crack over time. While this is a cosmetic issue, it can detract from the overall feel of the car's interior.
When considering purchasing a used Saab 9-3, it's essential to be aware of these common problems and thoroughly inspect the car before making a decision. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues from becoming significant problems down the line.
What is the most common problem with the Saab 9-3?
Many owners have complained about engine failure caused by a faulty direct ignition cassette (DIC). Saab vehicles primarily use a DIC system, with ignition coils that directly go on top of the spark plugs. If there's a problem with the DIC, the engine may crank but not start.
Is A Saab 9-3 A Good car?
Saab 9.3 Vector Sport TiD. No longer in production does not impact the reliability and value for money which a later model Saab provides. It delivers a high level of comfort, reliability and performance for a car that is now nearly eight years old.
What year of Saab is the most reliable?
The Saab 900 (1994-1998) is a mid-size luxury car produced by the Swedish automaker Saab. It is the fourth generation of the Saab 900 series. Known for its Scandinavian design, innovative features, and solid build quality, the Saab 900 (1994-1998) is considered one of the most reliable Saabs in its lineup.
How long does a Saab Turbo last?
Turbos are designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle (or around 150,000 miles); however, it's possible for them to wear out over time depending on how hard you drive the car and the original build quality of the turbo.
2008 Saab 9-3 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saab 9-3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Air bags problems
- Engine problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2008 Saab 9-3 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2008 Saab 9-3
The NHTSA has received 182 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2008 Saab 9-3. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2008 Saab 9-3 vehicles.
2024-08-30
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- VIN: YS3FB79Y086
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The contact owns a 2008 Saab 9-3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 14V318000 (Seat Belts) and 16V063000 (Air Bags); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the dealer declined to service the vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2023-02-18
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-18
- VIN: YS3FB79Y786
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: at about 98,000 miles the starts to fail transmission fails Also when the car gets too cold in the winter it refuses to start and it is not a battery issue. the cylinders get to cold to start. When the warm weather comes back around it starts again.
2021-07-28
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-12-31
- VIN: YS3FB46Y581
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Driver seat belt fails to retract. When retraction failure occurs, it is obvious to the seat occupant immediately. If a crash were to occur with a seat belt in this condition, the result could increase the risk of injury to the driver. The seat belt retraction failure has been reproduced and confirmed. No warning lamps but, the seat belt showed earlier symptoms of not working properly, by not engaging when hard braking occurred. I will have the tensioner replaced.
2021-01-25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-08-02
- VIN: YS3FB79Y586
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: AIRBAG MALFUNCTION CONTACT SERVICE
2020-12-30
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-12-29
- VIN: YS3FB49Y681
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: HAD TO HAVE VALVE JOB DONE DUE TO BAD /DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR INTAKE VALVES, FROM MANUFACTURER. HAD TO HAVE ALL INTAKE VALVES REPLACED, WITH MODIFIED/UPGRADED INTAKE VALVES. OBTAINED PO300 - RANDOM MISFIRE CODES, HAD ROUGH IDLE, CHECKED ENGINE COMPRESSION, HAD 45PSIG IN CYLINDER NUMBER 4. ENGINE HAD 72862MILES, ON IT, THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BY SAAB/GM.
2020-12-03
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-11-11
- VIN: YS3FB46Y681
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
2020-07-05
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-05
- VIN: YS3FB79Y386
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
2020-05-06
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-05
- VIN: YS3FB49Y281
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I BROUGHT MY 08 SAAB 9-3 TO A SHOP FOR A COMPRESSION TEST CAUSE IT KEPT STALLING WHEN I WOULD GO TO START IT, IT'S AN AUTOMATIC. I WAS TOLD MY INTAKE VALVES WERE WEARING DOWN AND IT'S DUE TO GMS FAULTY VALVES. YESTERDAY MY CAR STARTED TICKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I LOST ALMOST ALL MY POWER, COME TO FIND OUT MY VALVES WERE ABOUT TO SNAP. NOW I'M MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I CAN'T DRIVE AND GM REFUSES TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS HAPPENING TO 08-10 SAAB 9-3 WITH THE GM FACTORY VALVES. *TR
2020-04-21
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-16
- VIN: YS3FB49Y281
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: EXPERIENCED HARD STARTING IN COLD WEATHER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THE PAST FEW YEARS. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND A TSB REGARDING THE INTAKE VALVES FOR 2.0 ECOTEC 4 CYLINDER. HAD A COMPRESSION TEST FOLLOWING SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND MULTIPLE READINGS DIAGNOSE A P0300 ENGINE CODE . COLD AND WARM COMPRESSION TEST SHOWED CYLINDER 2 COMPRESSION WELL OUT OF SPECIFICATION. DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. QUOTED $4000 FOR ENGINE REBUILD.
2020-02-20
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-01
- VIN: YS3FB56YX81
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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/
2020-02-09
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-02-09
- VIN: YS3FB49Y281
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN AVERAGE MPG (PROBLEM FROM RESEARCH ONLINE SUGGESTS IT IS FROM LOWERED COMPRESSION FROM INTAKE VALVE DESIGN/MATERIAL USED). 109700 MILES ON ENGINE. METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED BY US NAVY SUBMARINER. HAVEN'T CONTACTED GM OR SAAB AFFILIATE YET. FORUMS USED INFER THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD FOR 2007-2009 SAAB 9-3 2.0T WITH B207 ENGINE. SUMMER TIME MPG IS AROUND 32-33, WINTER MPG IS 30-31 IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. LAST 3 FILL UPS, AVERAGE MPG HAS DROPPED STEADILY FROM 30.5 TO 26 ON THE MOST RECENT FILL UP. RESPECTFULLY REQUEST TO KNOW IF A RECALL OR FINANCIAL COMPENSATION BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CONSUMERS HAS BEEN ORDAINED?
2019-09-25
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-08
- VIN: YS3FB49Y381
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: ROUGH IDLE AND START ON COLD STARTS. THIS ISSUE IS WELL KNOWN IN THE SAAB COMMUNITY DUE TO GM PUTTING WEAK MATERIAL IN FACTORY FUEL INJECTOR VALVES. ENGINE LOSES COMPRESSION UNTIL CAR IS WARM, BUT MAY RESULT IN STALLS OR LIMP MODE
2019-02-07
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-29
- VIN: YS3FB49Y981
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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!
2018-12-10
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-10
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: JUST PURCHASE VEHICLE FROM A FRIEND 2008 SAAB 9-3 2.0T CONVERTIBLE . WHEN I FIRST START UP THE VEHICLE (IT IS NOW COLD OUTSIDE) THE ENGINE IS RUNNING RUFF UNTIL IT WARMS UP. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHER SAAB 2008 OWNERS HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT AND HAVE READ THAT THE INTAKE VALUES USED BY GM ARE FAULTY.
2018-06-03
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-08-10
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WHILE DRIVING, SNAPPED IN HALF, AND DISLOCATED FROM VEHICLE, 6 MONTHS APART. WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH, AND THE PASSENGER FRONT SPRING SNAPPED IN TWO. HAD NO FOREWARNING, BEFORE IT EXPLODED APART. THE PASSENGER-SIDE COIL-SPRING SNAPPED OFF THE VEHICLE, IN TWO+ PLACES, AND WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY. METAL SHOWED A CLEAR SNAP. THE METAL APPEARED CORRODED AND AS IF THE METAL WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WORK LONG-TERM. SIX MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT-COIL-SPRING SNAPPED AND DISLODGED IN THE EXACT SAME MANNER, AND WHEN THE FAILED PIECE WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE HIGHWAY, IT SHOWED THE SAME CLEAR SNAP LINES, AS ITS PREDECESSOR. BOTH INSTANCES CAUSED THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL. CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH SUB-PAR METALLOIDS THAT LIKELY WILL KILL SOMEONE IF THEY ARE TRAVELING FAST. PLEASE RECALL AS ITS THE SAME DEFECT THAT APPEARS IN 2003 - 2006 SAAB MODELS. IN 2010, GENERAL MOTORS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON ABOUT 66,000 2003 - 2006 SAAB 9-3 VEHICLES TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING FRONT SPRINGS THAT BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON FOR SAAB 9-3 MODELS, BUT IS NOT COVERED BY GM SPECIAL COVERAGE #15917 BECAUSE THAT EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY APPLIES TO 2003-2006 VEHICLES.
2018-06-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-07-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: ACCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER HEADLIGHT LOW-BEAM FAILED.WAS TOLD AND SHOWN A MELTED HEADLIGHT MODULE THAT OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE LOW-BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO GO OUT. THE ENTIRE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. AS WERE OTHER CRASH INVOLVED PARTS
2018-03-29
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-03-23
- VIN: YS3FB49Y781
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: CONCERN 1 AS A FEMALE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO BE STRANDED IN MY VEHICLE, RECENTLY WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A BATTERY ISSUE TURNED OUT TO BE A KEY FOB ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED WITH A WELL CARED FOR VEHICLE THAT HAS KEYS THAT START AND GET TO DESTINATION, BUT HAVE GOTTEN BACK IN MY VEHICLE AND THE CAR DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FOB. CONCERN 2 I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS AUTOMATICALLY COMING ON, AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN IT OFF, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I WAS NOT AWARE UNTIL UNTIL I TOOK FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR STILL TRAVELED AT THE CRUISE SPEED, TAPPING THE BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE SETTING.
2018-03-07
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-02-02
- VIN: YS3FB49Y881
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: CAR STRUGGLED TO START WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES. AFTER A NUMBER OF TRIPS TO THE SHOP THAT MAINTAINS MY CAR THEY RESEARCHED ONLINE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SAAB WITH THIS ENGINE AND GM ISN'T WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!
2018-02-15
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-12-24
- VIN: YS3FB49Y481
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: 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)
2018-01-14
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-08
- VIN: YS3FB49YX81
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: WE OWN A 2008 9-3 SAAB THAT HAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE (50 DEGREES AND BELOW), OUR CAR STARTS VERY ROUGHLY AFTER 2-3+ MINUTES OF CONTINUOUS CRANKING. ONCE THE CAR STARTS AND HAS WARMED UP, IT RUNS QUITE SMOOTHLY. HOWEVER, IT CURRENTLY ISN'T STARTING AT ALL NOW AND IS IN THE SHOP. WE HAVE BEEN DOING RESEARCH ONLINE TO SEE IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG OTHER 2008 SAAB OWNERS. SO FAR WE HAVE SEEN A LARGE AMOUNT OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2008 SAABS EXPRESSING THE SAME CONCERNS/PROBLEMS AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A $2,00-$3,000 EXPENSE TO FIX IT. OUR DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THERE ISN'T ANY COMPRESSION AND IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE LOWER INTAKE VALVES ARE FAULTY AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,000-$3,000. I HAVE CONTACTED GM AND AM AWAITING THEIR RESPONSE AS TO WHETHER THERE ARE ENOUGH OTHER COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL OR RECEIVE ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS. IT APPEARS THAT THE ORIGINAL GM PARTS ARE FAULTY AND BECOME WORN, WHICH RESULTS IN DIFFICULTY IN COLDER TEMPERATURES. WE PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2003 SAAB, WHICH WAS BUILT BY SAAB, AND WE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY OF THESE SAID PROBLEMS.
2018-01-02
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-05-11
- VIN: YS3FB79Y886
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V063000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED VICTORY CHEVROLET CADILLAC AT (707) 776-6385 (1360 AUTO CENTER DR, PETALUMA, CA). THE CONTACT ALSO CALLED MARIN MAZDA AT (415) 454-7000 (807 FRANCISCO BLVD, SAN RAPHAEL, CA). BOTH DEALERS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
2017-12-19
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-12-14
- VIN: YS3FB49YX81
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY OTHER SAAB 9-3 BUILT AFTER 2006, MY DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE VALVES IN MY VEHICLES ENGINE, WHICH HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE AT 77,000 MILES. OTHER POSTINGS ON LINE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MAJOR ISSUE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES BUILT BY GM IN YEARS 2007 AND LATER. THE CAUSE IS WIDELY KNOWN AND IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT RESULTING IN FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE TO START IN COLD WEATHER. THE FIX REQUIRED IS A REPLACEMENT OF ALL OF THE ENGINE INTAKE VALVES. THIS IS COSTLY FIX IN THE RANGE OF $3,000 PER VEHICLE. WHETHER GM KNEW IT WAS USING INFERIOR PARTS PRONE TO FAILURE OR NOT, THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE REPAIRS AT THEIR COST, OR TO AT A MINIMUM PARTICIPATE IN SOME WAY IN THE COST OF THE REPAIRS.
2017-12-08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-29
- VIN: YS3FH56U281
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY VEHICLE STARTED FLICKERING AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK A FEW DAYS AGO. AFTER SAFELY PARKING THE CAR, I INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THAT THE HOUSINGS ARE DESIGNED TO BE UNSERVICABLE BUT I WAS ABLE TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE INTERNAL WIRING SHIELDING HAD CRACKED AND FALLEN OFF (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS, I APPOLOGIZE ABOUT THE QUALITY). THE HEADLIGHTS FAILING WITHOUT NOTICE CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS BLACKOUT SCENARIO WHICH COULD HAVE VERY EASILY RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DEATH DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND BY NO FAULT BY OR PRIOR WARNING TO THE OPERATOR. I WAS LUCKY!
2017-11-15
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-15
- VIN: YS3FB79Y586
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TAKATA RECALL THE WEBSITE FOR REPORTING YOUR REPAIR AND RECEIVING YOUR $25 MASTERCARD IS NONEXISTENT.
2017-11-07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-11-07
- VIN: YS3FB46Y681
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: RECENTLY, WHILE STARTING THE CAR IT STARTED UP VERY ROUGH. A FEW WEEKS AGO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AND THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE IN CYLINDER 2. WE REPLACED ALL SPARK PLUGS AND COILS, AND THE ISSUE DID NOT GO AWAY. IN ADDITION, THE CAR HAS ALSO STARTED STALLING RANDOMLY. LUCKILY, I HAVEN'T BEEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED BUT IT'S NOW SHUT OFF ABOUT 7 OR 8 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. BEEN WONDERING IF ITS INTAKE VALVES, FUEL PUMP, POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, CAMSHAFT TIMING... SOUNDS LIKE LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND HOPING MINES NOT BECAUSE OF THE INTAKE VALVES. PLEASE EMAIL [XXX]@HOTMAIL.COM IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES AND KNOW THE FIX. CAR IS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION.*JB
2008 Saab 9-3 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2008 Saab 9-3.
2016-02-03
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the driver's frontal airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on March 1, 2017. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.
2014-06-12
- Manufacturer: General Motors LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
- Consequence: In the event of a crash, a seat belt that has not retracted may not properly restrain the seat occupant, increasing their risk of injury.
- Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt retractor, free of charge. The recall began on October 6, 2015. Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007. GM's number for this recall is 14222. Note: Special Coverage 10086 will replace the passenger side seat belt retractor if it fails, free of charge, for the life of the vehicle.
2011-02-28
- Manufacturer: TI GROUP AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LLC
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Summary: TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.
- Consequence: A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL WHILE IN USE.
- Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.
Positive 2008 Saab 9-3 car reviews
Other years of Saab 9-3
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Jasen Keeling 2025-03-24
Disclaimer alert- Hi there! I just wanted to share that I absolutely loved the SAAB convertible concept years before I was able to buy one for myself. I started with a 2006 9-3 Sedan 2.OT, just to get into a SAAB (I had owned less expensive convertibles before that time). As smitten as I was by the handling and the look of that 9-3 sedan, I missed having a convertible so much, so I decided to trade it in for a convertible two years later. I purchased a like-new 2008 convertible 9-3 model in 2010, and my goal was to keep it looking as new as when I purchased it. Well, it's 2017 now, and it really looks the same as it did that first test drive. All biases aside, here's my take- it's a fantastic deal for the money, especially now. This is a car that was designed with safety in mind, and has pop up roll bars, safety alerts, and a number of airbags. It's also a tremendously fun car to drive. The four cylinder 2.0 turbo has plenty of power, and the turbo lag is fairly minimal, though I love the sound on a quick acceleration. The car is responsive, quick, and rides fairly quietly for a convertible. It's also pretty well insulated in the winter, and gets excellent traction with the right tires. I have the cold weather package, which is a must in the colder climates. As I sit here, I can't think of any unplanned repairs, either. It's been remarkably reliable (knock on wood). My only complaint is that I need to apply my high beams in more remote areas at night because the headlights aren't that bright (I had low beams installed, and that helps). But, other than that, this car feels like it was built for the long haul, and I plan on keeping it for a very, very long time. April 2019: I still have this car, and my feelings haven’t changed. This car still looks and feels like new at 78k miles (it’s now the fun “extra car”). GM skimped on some of the interior technology then, so it seems a bit dated now. It’s not a deal breaker, though. It’s a great car. February 2021:I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to let you know that my Saab is still going strong. I took it in for an oil change today and it's still so much fun to drive, especially on a winter day. We did have to replace the vacuum pump, but overall it got a great bill of health. With 79K miles on it, I'm thrilled that we haven't had any major surprises in the 10+ years we've been together. And that turbo sound never gets old! The interior tech is a bit dated now, but I still love my Saab more than my 2020 Cadillac XT5...not even close ;). Looking forward to many more years with my trusty Saab! Best regards, [Your Name]
Frederik Emmerich 2025-03-18
These cars are underrated, with such good performance and quality! They are one of the best cars I've ever owned! The engine and turbo are really strong and surprisingly super reliable! I highly recommend getting one, don't hesitate!
Oral Donnelly 2025-01-20
Fuel economy isn't the best but it makes up for that in performance. It's a real solid driver's car.
Tristin Blick 2025-01-19
I was searching for a new car and browsing through the usual suspects - BMW, Mercedes, Infinity, Cadillac...blah, blah, blah! However, due to my kids being in college and having to purchase another vehicle for my wife and another for my daughter who gets her license in less than a year, I had a very strict budget. While I was looking, I stumbled upon a couple of used Saab convertibles. After doing some research, I couldn't find a single negative review, which was great. I then called a trusted Euro Repair shop in my area to discuss the Saab turbo 4 cylinder engine, reliability, maintenance fees, convertible top reliability, and a basic rundown of his experience with this car. His overall input was that it was a very reliable, fun, and easy-to-work-on car. He stated that if I took care of it and was REALLY methodical about changing the oil every 2.5K miles, it would last a very long time. With that in mind, I went to take a look at the car. It was a silver convertible with black interior and was in phenomenal shape with 82K miles. It had very good maintenance records and had been well taken care of. The Car Fax showed that everything was clean. Away we went for the test drive! I immediately noticed that the instrument cluster was laid out very logically and was easy to read. I absolutely loved the ignition being in the center console - it was different! I fired it up, dropped it in drive, and headed out on the test drive. The tight steering, front-wheel-drive 'pull' felt different than rear-wheel-drive 'push', but it bit and performed really well. It was quiet, had low road noise, and surprising performance - things that hit me right away. The seats were very firm but comfortable. As I approached the freeway and pushed the pedal down, I was impressed with the great acceleration, handling, and how quickly we reached 85mph in no time at all, and all of this while not even being in 'Sport' mode. I've driven and owned pretty much every import, and I am embarrassed to say that I never looked at a Saab before.The company's closure makes me wonder if they could have benefited from better marketing strategies. However, I absolutely love this car! The convertible top works flawlessly, it looks great, and it performs incredibly well. The gas mileage is exceptional given its performance. I couldn't have made a better choice for the bang for my buck. I'm excited for many road trips in this awesome ride! It's great fun!
Quinton Weissnat 2025-01-09
Despite some criticisms in the Edmunds model review, this car is a fantastic performer that is incredibly satisfying to drive. It's amazing how quickly you can reach 70 without pushing the accelerator very far. The ride on the highway is great, making this car a cruiser! I've been getting double takes in this car that I'd never get in most of the other non-descript cookie-cutter designs out there. The Sportcombi is very versatile without the typical station wagon look (I think it looks better than the sedan). With the incentives currently available on the '08 model, this car should definitely be on your shortlist.