MYRModel Year Report

2003 Saab 9-3

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Saab 9-3
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Saab 9-3 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 50 complaints 2000 2001: 59 complaints 2002: 37 complaints 2002 2003: 212 complaints 2003 2004: 207 complaints 2004 2005: 95 complaints 2006: 179 complaints 2006 2007: 155 complaints 2008: 184 complaints 2008 2009: 43 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2011: 30 complaints 2011
2003: 212 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199964
200050
200159
200237
2003212
2004207
200595
2006179
2007155
2008184
200943
201030
201130

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%

17% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, SMOKE EMITTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20151207

I AM RECEIVING AN ONSTAR NOT AVAILABLE ERROR - THERE WAS A RECALL 08089-B PART # 10027804 - I WANT MY ONSTAR DISABLED. WHO DO I CONTACT?

NHTSA ODI report, 20180907

SUSPENSION 13%

13% of complaints: suspension — 27 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT VERY HARD EVEN AT THE SLIGHTEST TURN.THIS PULLING IS REALLY VIOLENT. CONSUMER HAS TO DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER SUGGESTED CONSUMER TO GET SKINNIER TIRES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020506

POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 23 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 212
I 20031230 — PE (closed 20040319)

ENGINE STALL

R 20040115 — engine and engine cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Campaign 04V540000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040319 — EA (closed 20041027)

ENGINE STALL

R 20050124 — seat belts

SOME SPORT SEDANS WERE BUILT WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT WERE DAMAGED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. IF DAMAGED, OVER TIME, THE AUTOMATIC TENSIONING SYSTEM (ATS) CABLE IN THE SEAT BELT RETRACTO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLIES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Campaign 04V226000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060317 — service brakes, hydraulic

CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SU

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Campaign 05V236000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070613 — fuel system, gasoline

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF

Campaign 07V087000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080828 — PE (closed 20081223)

FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE

I 20081222 — EA (closed 20100604)

Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture

R 20110222 — fuel system, gasoline

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

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

Campaign 11E009000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Saab 9-3 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V540000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V226000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V236000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V087000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11E009000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2011 ▲ 2002

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2008 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Saab 9-3 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Saab 9-3 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Saab 9-3?

The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Saab 9-3 have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.