Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2003 Saab 9-3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system46
- Suspension42
- Engine and engine cooling32
- Power train32
- Steering18
- Fuel system, gasoline16
- Air bags15
- Exterior lighting13
- Service brakes, hydraulic12
- Seat belts12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 17 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2003 9-3 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2003 Saab 9-3 failed the safety check 2.39% of the time — 14% more often than the average 2003 passenger car (2.11%). Median odometer at inspection: 120,830 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Saab 9-3 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), 2.0 petrol (129 kW, 173 hp) and 2.0 petrol (154 kW, 207 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 655 |
| 2.0 petrol | 129 kW 173 hp | 319 |
| 2.0 petrol | 154 kW 207 hp | 127 |
| 2.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 77 |
| 2.0 petrol | 151 kW 202 hp | 27 |
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
1,234 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 36% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €51,890.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde774
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen704
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt347
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)327
- Band onvoldoende profiel271
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld256
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan205
- Licht- donkerscheiding dimlicht onduidelijk198
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
631 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 984 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, 1,214 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 59% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 19.5% | 21.6% |
| Suspension | 15.2% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 13.5% | 13.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.9% | 7.4% |
| Visibility | 7.2% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 6.3% |
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
650 of these cars first registered in 2003 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 281,000 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
48 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 54% arrived as used imports, 46% 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 8 variants: combined 10.2–11.4 L/100 km (about 21–23 mpg US), CO₂ 235–262 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-3 Linear Turbo · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.8 | 8.2 | 10.2 |
| 9-3 Arc Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.3 | 10.5 |
| 9-3 Linear Turbo · Compact · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
| 9-3 Vector Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.3 | 10.5 |
| 9-3 SE Convertible Turbo · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 8.5 | 10.8 |
| 9-3 SE Convertible Turbo · Subcompact · Premium gasoline | 12.8 | 8.9 | 11.0 |
| 9-3 Arc Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 8.3 | 11.4 |
| 9-3 Vector Turbo · Compact · Premium gasoline | 13.8 | 8.3 | 11.4 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2003 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… |
| 2004160 12 May 2004 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles, the Automatic Tensioning System (ATS) cable in the seatbelt retractor could break, causing webbing spooled out by the user to not retract. … |
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 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 SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST, USUALLY WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE ENGINE HESITATION OR STALLING.
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 RETRACTOR COULD BREAK CAUSING THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT.
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 2003 Saab 9-3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11007208 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection. |
| 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. |
| 11000576 | This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the policies/procedures and the warranty transaction submission procedures that support the Personal Property Damage process. |
| 10252735 | This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish. |
| 10252163 | XM Audio Traffic And Travel Link Availability And Operation. |
| 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. |
| 10235802 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 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. |
| 10234141 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Front Suspension Coil Spring Fracture
FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FRACTURE
ENGINE STALL
ENGINE STALL
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation