2002 Saab 9-3: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 46 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2023
“Saab 9-3 2002 frequently will not start even though it has new battery and newer alternator- may be ignition discharge module.”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saab 9-3. While in park, there were strong fuel fumes emitting from the exterior of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was fuel leaking underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the tab attached to the fuel pump and the fuel lines fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 07v087000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 65,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 saab 9.3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the driver's side seat belt cable separated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2015
“I just purchased my 2002 saab 9-3 from karz and more in longview wa. In november 2012 and drove about one mile went into a store came out and the vehicle would not start. The thermostat and the ignition coil pack were bad. Replaced the thermostat just once and the ignition coil pack twice. Car is still not running I have died on the freeway, in town, too many times to even count the car will start with a jump but wont run for very long before it dies. Frustrated and at my witts end! Had a full diagnostic....showed nothing no one seems to know the problem. Its ran about a week since I have had the car ugh! *js”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 saab 93. The contact stated that all of the automatic door locks would activate independently as soon the doors were opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 117,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Oct 2012
“Slowly approaching stoplight, and drivers side, side airbag goes off for no apparent reason. Driver was struck in side of head, and upper body, some hearing loss suffered also.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2011
“I have a 2002 saab 93 and the dic cassette on those car always good bad. They are defective there was a recall on those cars and I called the dealer and asked them and they said there wasn't no such recall, they denied it because the parts is expensive. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Apr 2011
“The saab 9-3 2002 stalled suddenly while idling on an exit ramp on the highway. The car failed to restart and had to be towed. The ignition module had been replaced 4 years early as part of a prior recall. The car is current at a gas station and the mechanic has diagnosed that the replaced ignition module has again failed. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2010
“1. Use of high beams 2. If I do not use the high beams the low beam lights never fail 6 month trial just finished. 3. Replaced the headlight failure relay as this is what my mechanic does for all his customers with no satisfactory results. When using highbeams replacing 6 bulbs every six months I have replaced 14 bulbs since I bought the car last jan. 09 my wife's 2004 saab 9-3 has the same problem. *tr”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.
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 MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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 PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 9-3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Saab 9-3 reliable?
NHTSA has 46 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Saab 9-3. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Saab 9-3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Saab 9-3 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:ignition:module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.