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CarsLore / Saab / 9-3 / 2002

2002 Saab 9-3

37 owner complaints — #11 of 14 9-3 model years. 4 recalls, 25 service bulletins.

37complaints · 0 crashes, 1 fires
4recalls
25manufacturer bulletins
63,000 mimedian mileage at failure

Problems owners report

Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Saab 9-3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.

  • Electrical system14
  • Engine and engine cooling6
  • Power train5
  • Fuel system, gasoline4
  • Seat belts3
  • Unknown or other3
  • Equipment2
  • Air bags2
  • Fuel/propulsion system2
  • Seats2

NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 injuries and 0 deaths reported

Compared with other years

’94’97’00’02’03’06’09’1237’94’97’00’02’03’06’09’1237
199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

NHTSA ODI complaints by model year

New York safety inspections

At its first New York inspection the 2002 Saab 9-3 failed the safety check 2.52% of the time — 26% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 116,708 miles.

1,030first inspections
2.52%failed on safety
116,708 mimedian odometer
0.0%1.3%2.6%’99’01’02’03’05’07’09’112.5%0.0%1.3%2.6%’99’02’05’08’112.5%

NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count

Engines

The most common engines in 2002 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.

EnginePowerCarsShare
2.0 petrol110 kW 148 hp94875%
2.0 petrol151 kW 202 hp15212%
2.0 petrol136 kW 182 hp1189%
2.0 petrol129 kW 173 hp474%

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

1,293 first registered in 2002 are on Dutch roads; 36% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €47,784.

76.8%had an APK defect recorded since June 2022
94.7%logical odometer history
0.0%with a recall still open

Most common APK defects

Colours

Black 36%Grey 33%Blue 25%Red 2%Green 2%Brown 1%

RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording

In the United Kingdom

575 cars built in 2002 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 929 more were declared off the road (SORN).

575licensed, end of 2025
38%of those still registered are on the road

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, 998 of these cars first registered in 2002 took their annual MOT test. 63% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2002 the figure was 58%.

63%passed first time
58%all cars from 2002
107,700 miaverage mileage at the test (all cars 108,300 mi)
Failed onThese carsAll cars from 2002
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment16.1%20.8%
Brakes11.0%13.6%
Suspension10.2%15.8%
Body, chassis, structure8.2%9.7%
Noise, emissions and leaks7.3%6.9%
Visibility5.6%7.7%

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

402 of these cars first registered in 2002 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 267,000 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

34 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 35% arrived as used imports, 59% 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 10.8–11.7 L/100 km (about 20–22 mpg US), CO₂ 248–269 g/km.

VariantEngineTransmissionCityHighwayCombinedCO₂ g/km
9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M512.78.610.8248
9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.M512.78.610.8248
9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.A413.09.111.3260
9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline2.0 L, 4 cyl.A413.19.111.3260
9-3 Turbo · Mid-size · Premium gasoline2.3 L, 4 cyl.M513.79.311.7269

Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls in Canada

5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Saab 9-3.

2007059
7 Mar 2007		Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen f…
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…
2002095
24 May 2002		Brakes
On certain vehicles the brake calipers have received the wrong surface treatment. As a result, when the brake caliper becomes hot, hydrogen gas can form, dimini…
2001235
10 Mar 2001		Steering
Certain passenger vehicles the tie rod end retaining nuts may not have been properly tightened at the factory. The nuts could loosen and fall off resulting in a…

Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada

Recalls

07V087000 · Fuel system, gasoline7 Mar 2007 · 94,377 vehicles

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

05V399000 · Electrical system14 Sept 2005 · 103,202 vehicles

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.

04V557000 · Fuel system, gasoline19 Nov 2004 · 17,394 vehicles

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

01V314000 · Steering3 Oct 2001 · 1,366 vehicles

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.

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 2002 Saab 9-3: known faults, fixes and updates.

BulletinSummary
633838CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN 15411 REGARDING OIL LEAKAGE AT THE OIL THERMOSTAT PLUG. *TT
11006621Vehicle 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.
11004761This 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.
11004557This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
11002312This 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.
10252735This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
10252163XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation.
10251890This 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.
10250775This 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.
10249579This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
10249011This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
10248444Vehicle Recalls
10247681Information On Requests To Add OnStar Bluetooth Option.
10246952Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
10246951Programming And Activation Of Replacement OnStar Modules.
10246631Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
10245951Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls And Turn By Turn Inoperative In The United States.
10245950Canadian Customers Unable To Place Calls In The United States
10244274This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
10244201This service bulletin provides information for dealers on how to submit a product information report (PIR) (Canada Only).
10242262This 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.
10235802This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
10235799This service bulletin provides information about the Hunter wheel Road Force balancers that should be utilized for all repairs requiring balance and Road Force measurement.
10234141This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
10234110This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.

NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)

NHTSA investigations

PE05017 · Electrical system:ignition:moduleopened 7 Apr 2005 · closed 23 Sept 2005

ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation