Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2001 Saab 9-3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system23
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Fuel system, gasoline13
- Air bags4
- Seats2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Unknown or other1
- Fuel system, other1
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2001 Saab 9-3 failed the safety check 1.57% of the time — 22% less often than the average 2001 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 116,381 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2001 Saab 9-3 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), 2.0 petrol (151 kW, 202 hp) and 2.0 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 868 |
| 2.0 petrol | 151 kW 202 hp | 260 |
| 2.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 123 |
| 2.0 petrol | 113 kW 152 hp | 22 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
1,322 first registered in 2001 are on Dutch roads; 40% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €38,322.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde943
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen696
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld296
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)254
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt253
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse250
- Band beschadigd202
- Band onvoldoende profiel192
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
489 cars built in 2001 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 1,086 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 923 of these cars first registered in 2001 took their annual MOT test. 65% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2001 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2001 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 11.5% | 13.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 11.3% | 19.3% |
| Suspension | 9.9% | 15.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.9% | 9.7% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.6% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 5.2% | 5.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
371 of these cars first registered in 2001 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 263,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
19 2001 cars are on the New Zealand register; 95% arrived as used imports, 5% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 10.5–11.3 L/100 km (about 21–22 mpg US), CO₂ 242–260 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Turbo # · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
| 9-3 Turbo # · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 13.0 | 8.3 | 10.9 |
| 9-3 Turbo # · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
| 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.3 | 11.1 |
| 9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.0 | 9.3 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-3.
| 2006095 26 Apr 2006 | Fuel System On certain Saab 9-3 convertible and 9-3 Viggen vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this co… |
| 2005271 20 Sept 2005 | Electrical Certain 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines, and 2001-2003 9-5 models equipped with 6-cylinder gasoline engines … |
| 2004427 8 Dec 2004 | Fuel System On certain Saab 9-3 convertible and 9-3 Viggen vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this co… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saab told its dealers about the 2001 Saab 9-3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621485 | ON SOME VIGGEN MODELS FROM M99 TO M01 VIN 17016680, THE OUTER BRACKETS OF THE REAR SPOILER CAN WARP, CAUSING THE SPOILER TO VIBRATE AND RATTLE. *TT |
| 621482 | SOME CONVERTIBLE MODELS UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN 17004113 MAY EXHIBIT A SOFT TOP THAT MAY STOP HALFWAY DURING CLOSING OR OPENING AND THE SID UNIT SHOWS A CHECK SOFT TOP MESSAGE. *TT |
| 619554 | SUBJECT REGARDING NEW UPDATE KIT FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT |
| 11006621 | Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers. |
| 11004761 | This service 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 how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 11004557 | This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim. |
| 11002312 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information. |
| 10251890 | 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 how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up. |
| 10250775 | This 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 oiling system. |
| 10249579 | This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine. |
| 10249011 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage. |
| 10248444 | Vehicle Recalls |
| 10247681 | Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option. |
| 10246952 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10246951 | Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules. |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10245951 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States. |
| 10245950 | Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States |
| 10244274 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
| 10244201 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only). |
| 10242262 | This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and prevent unnecessary engine replacement. |
| 10235799 | This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement. |
| 10234110 | This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters. |
| 10232287 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10232136 | This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation