Saab 9-3 brakes problems
134 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.
Key facts
1,337 owner complaints analyzed
17 distinct recall campaigns
65,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1994 to 2011 model years. Data snapshot: . 897 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Braking behavior evidence
134 of 1,337 complaints match this topic (10.0%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10018437 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IF TRAFFIC COMES TO A SUDDEN STOP, BRAKING IS HORRIBLE. THE CAR DOES NOT GRIP THE ROAD IT SLIDES. WHEN PUTTING CAR INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, CAR HESITATES FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS THEN JERKS INTO ACTION. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR IS LITERALLY FALLING APART PIECE BY PIECE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018437 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10131562 · 2005-08-04 (August 4, 2005)
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN I-70, THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILED ON MY 1999 SAAB 9-3. THE ENGINE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ONTO A SIDE STREET. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO THE SAAB PARTS DEALER, BOUGHT ANOTHER FOR AROUND $375, AND WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAD 60,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. ONCE THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061172 · 2004-02-23 (February 23, 2004)
DRIVER BRIEFLY FORGOT THAT THE CAR HAD A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THE CONSUMER TURNED THE KEY ON AND THE VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON, BUT DIDN'T HOLD THE VEHICLE. *LA *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061172 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 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 ↗