Model year record

2002 SAAB 9-3

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 52 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V087000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
94,377
Reported to NHTSA
2007-03-07
Owners notified
2007-06-13

Defect description

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

Safety risk

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V399000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component
Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
103,202
Reported to NHTSA
2005-09-14
Owners notified
2006-03-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

OVERHEATING OF THE IGBT OCCURS MOST OFTEN AT ENGINE START-UP, BUT IT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. ENGINE STALLING MAY OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V557000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
17,394
Reported to NHTSA
2004-11-19
Owners notified
2005-03-14

Defect description

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

Safety risk

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V314000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,366
Reported to NHTSA
2001-10-03
Owners notified
2001-09-28

Defect description

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

Safety risk

THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system1077,199 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module551,383 mi
Power train: automatic transmission450,609 mi
Seat belts3100,000 mi
Unknown or other324,000 mi
Air bags: side/window26,720 mi
Engine and engine cooling224,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2110,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.259,163 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings250,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system265,000 mi
Seats26,720 mi
Electrical system: ignition148,000 mi
Engine1
Engine and engine cooling: engine144,510 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger128,000 mi
Exterior lighting1123,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline192,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump133,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1117,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc18,700 mi
Steering171,000 mi
Suspension: rear159,163 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.