2001 Saab 9-3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
59 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
72,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 48 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Module is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 59 complaints (15.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 8 | 13.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 13.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 13.6% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 8.5% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 8.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 9 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 6 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 9; Electrical System: 8; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 6; Air Bags: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 17 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 17; 2006: 7; 2007: 3; 2008: 7; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Module leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10043836 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
HAD THE CAR SERVICED FOR 40000 SERVICE. COMPLAINED OF STALLING WHEN LIFTING OFF THE GAS. THE VERY NEXT DAY THE CAR STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AND UNABLE TO RESTART. THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT MY AFTERMARKET BYPASS VALVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THEY ARE REFUSING TO COVER THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE LOOKS MORE LIKE A HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND NOT AN OVERBOOST PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 42,389 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080732 · 2004-07-10 (July 10, 2004)
SAAB 9-3 (2001) AUTOMATIC 49000 MILES STALLED ON FREEWAY WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AFTER BRAKING (BUT STILL MOVING) FOR CONGESTION. RESTART SUBSEQUENT TO STALL DID NOT SUCCEED. HAD TO TOW THE CAR TO DEALER (B&B SAAB). SECOND TIME THIS HAS OCCURRED -- FIRST TIME (SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES) THE DEALER SAID A SOFTWARE UPGRADE SHOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. NOW THEY THINK IT IS THE THROTTLE UNIT. LUCKY ON BOTH OCCASSIONS NOT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080732 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106409 · 2005-01-15 (January 15, 2005)
COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY IN LEFT LANE. LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE (ELECTRICAL FAILURE IN ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEM). *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 61,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130582 · 2005-07-29 (July 29, 2005)
1) I STOPPED AT HOME ON THE WAY TO ANOTHER APPOINTMENT. THERE WERE NO INDICATORS THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE GARAGE ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. IT MADE NO NOISE AND GAVE NO INDICATION EXCEPT IT WAS MYSTERIOUSLY COMPLETELY UNABLE TO START. THE LIGHTS WOULD STILL TURN ON, SO IT WAS NOT A BATTERY. I PAID TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SAAB INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT STOPPED WORKING; IT WAS A COMPLETE FLUKE I HAD STOPPED THE CAR FOR A FEW MINUTES. IT HAD STAR…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,488 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10099280 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
VEHICLE LOST POWER. FUEL LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. IT HAD TO BE TOWED. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT WARRANTY WAS IN EFFECT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 289,981 miles reported. Look up ODI 10099280 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113282 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
WHILE STOPPED THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *SC *JB PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE: THE COMPLAINANT SMELLED FUEL ODOR AND SAW A TRAIL OF LEAKED FUEL BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT AND NO NOTICABLE LOSS OF VEHICLE PERFORMANCE.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,881 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113282 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051570 · 2004-01-03 (January 3, 2004)
WITHOUT ANY WARNING, CAR LOST ENGINE POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND WOULD NOT RESTART. HAPPENED IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC CIRCLE, CAUSING NEAR MISSES FROM BUSES AND TRUCKS. SAAB ROADSIDE SERVICE TOOK NEARLY 5 HOURS TO SEND A TOW TRUCK. CAR PUSHED TO SIDEWALK BY PASSING POLICEMAN. JSW. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118050 · 2005-04-18 (April 18, 2005)
DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. CAR LOST POWER, INCLUDING ELECTRICITY AND POWER STEERING. WAS ABLE TO RESTART CAR, BUT SHUT DOWN AGAIN ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118050 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152150 · 2006-03-07 (March 7, 2006)
WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RE-START ONCE TURNED OFF AND THE KEY TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY TO RE-START THE VEHICLE AND ALSO HEARD A "THUNK" SOUND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE WHICH ORIGINATED DIRECTLY BELOW THE INSERTED KEY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM UNDER CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION MOUNTING SCREW/BOLTS HAD "WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE" AND CAUSE THE HOUSING TO UNSEAT. THE PROBLEM WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 75,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152150 at NHTSA ↗