2009 Saab 9-3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 43 complaints (39.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 9.3% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Air Bags: 17; Engine: 12; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 17 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 6; 2015: 10; 2016: 15; 2017: 6; 2018: 2; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 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 10609309 · 2014-07-09 (July 9, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING AND HAD TO WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10609309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10734065 · 2015-07-14 (July 14, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. ...UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF UPDATED 11/22/2017*CN
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10734065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10403429 · 2011-05-25 (May 25, 2011)
AFTER STARTING CAR AND ADJUSTING SEAT I BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE AND APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH DID NOT SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY. THE CAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED AS I WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PARKING SPOT AND AS I TURNED THE CORNER GOING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY DID NOT WORK; I ACCELERATED AGAIN TO TEST THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THEY DID NOT WORK; I AGAIN ACCELERATED TO TEST THE BRAKES AGAIN AND THEY STILL DID NOT WORK. I CAUTIOUSLY MOVED MY CAR TO ANOTHER PARKING…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10403429 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10542491 · 2013-09-08 (September 8, 2013)
UPON STARTING AFTER SITTING, THE BRAKES HAVE A GREATLY INCREASED PEDAL EFFORT AND A CORRESPONDINGLY GREATLY REDUCED BRAKING EFFECT. THIS COMBINED WITH THE RELATIVELY HIGH IDLE FOR THIS MODEL OF ENGINE, (V-6), AT START UP COMBINES TO CREATES A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN DRIVING AWAY FROM FIRST START-UP.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,989 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10301904 · 2010-01-22 (January 22, 2010)
DRIVERS SIDE LOW BEAM IS DIM. DEALER FOUND THE LOW BEAM BULBS WERE OVERHEATING. REPLACED LOW BEAM BULBS AND REPROGRAMMED THE ELECTRICAL CENTER UNDER THE HOOD WITH NEW SOFTWARE TO PREVENT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS FROM OVERHEATING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 39,269 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10702216 · 2015-03-27 (March 27, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING I RECEIVED A MESSAGE THAT SAID STEERING LOCK MALFUNCTION COME TO A SAFE STOP. IT LASTED ABOUT 3 TO 4 SECONDS AND THEN WENT OFF. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT AN HOUR LATER AT A LOWER SPEED, SAME MESSAGE AND AGAIN IT ONLY LASTED A FEW SECONDS. IT OCCURRED THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE CAR. AT NO TIME WAS THE STEERING AFFECTED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10702216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10723963 · 2015-06-08 (June 8, 2015)
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 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11E009000 (FUEL SYSTEM AND GASOLINE). …
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10723963 at NHTSA ↗