2003 Saab 9-3 engine and engine cooling problems
32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2003 Saab 9-3 — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Vehicle was stalling during acceleration , then fuel pump had complete malfunction .... After replacement, engine has always run poorly and almost always stalls during acceleration. Replaced ignition coil , and it didn't fix problem . I have talked to 4 other saab 9-3 owners for this model year and…”
filed Mar 16, 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 saab 9-3 convertible. The contact was having an unrelated repair performed at the dealer when he was advised that the vehicle was in need of additional repairs. The dealer recommended having repairs to the engine and service brakes. The repairs were not performed. The…”
filed Aug 4, 2010
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE…Campaign 04V540000 · Oct 20, 2004
Related service bulletins
This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains…
16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 13, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the…
22-NA-074 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 22, 2024
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other 9-3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 9-3 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 9-3 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 9-3 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 9-3 | 11 | 6% |
| 2005 9-3 | 4 | 4% |
| 2004 9-3 | 9 | 4% |
| 2002 9-3 | 6 | 16% |
| 2001 9-3 | 14 | 24% |
| 2000 9-3 | 13 | 26% |
| 1999 9-3 | 5 | 8% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2003 Saab 9-3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.