2002 Saab 9-3 Problems and Repair Histories
2002 Saab 9-3 problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
See what people are saying about 2002 Saab 9-3 problems
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Saab 9-3
2002 Saab 9-3s for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2002 Saab 9-3 problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2002 Saab 9-3 problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2002 Saab 9-3 problems and repair histories that follow it.
Saab 9-3 Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2002 | Saab 9-3 | 17 9-3s, 7.7 months of data per 9-3, average 99900 miles Small sample size. Join or 17 9-3s, 7.7 months of data per 9-3, average 99900 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 2002 Saab 9-3 problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2002 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 72000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 76000 | 200 | Right rear shock leaking. Harsh ride in rear. Replace both rear shocks with OEM parts from dealer. Soft/squishy brake pedal, poor stopping distance. Flushed and bled brake system. This improved pedal feel and greatly improved stopping distance. |
| Feb | 2011 | 77000 | 150 | Burst coolant hose on the hiway. Towed home. Replaced all major coolant hoses with new OEM units. Found Vacuum lines controlling the turbo system hardened and brittle with age/heat. Replace vacuum lines. |
| Jan | 2012 | 84000 | 1170 | Slave cylinder gave out. Slave is internal to the bellhousing requiring removal of the trans. W/ 84K miles, did the clutch disc and pressure plate as well. |
| Jun | 2012 | 85000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Saab 9-3 in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2006 | 170 | New antenna. | |
| Aug | 2006 | 940 | New A/C and muffler repair. | |
| Nov | 2006 | 92 | Strut Mount | |
| Jul | 2007 | 600 | New alternator. | |
| Nov | 2007 | 100 | Coolant temp sensor. | |
| Apr | 2008 | 300 | Crank position sensor. | |
| Jul | 2008 | 400 | Brake caliper. Sway bar link. | |
| Aug | 2008 | 300 | New wheel bearing | |
| Dec | 2008 | 550 | New water pump. | |
| Jul | 2009 | 600 | Scan codes, filters and re-re a/c | |
| Aug | 2009 | 791 | New A/C | |
| Dec | 2009 | 136 | Replace and reseal rear tail light. | |
| Feb | 2010 | 1800 | New stainless steel exhaust, new pads and rotors on all four corners and new ball joint. | |
| Mar | 2010 | 300 | Rear window failure. Stays in down position. | |
| Aug | 2010 | 63860 | 500 | Front spring and control arm. Change spark plugs. |
| Mar | 2011 | 67580 | 200 | Replace parking brake cable |
| May | 2011 | 68380 | 300 | Other rear window stayed in down position. |
| Jun | 2011 | 68820 | 900 | New alternator |
| Feb | 2012 | 77480 | 150 | Washer pump not working. Check valve replaced. Key fob dead. |
| Nov | 2012 | 88940 | 500 | Idler pulley, oil pressure switch |
| Jan | 2013 | 91140 | 1200 | Need new clutch. Simply wore out. |
| Feb | 2013 | 92040 | 300 | Wheel bearing |
| Mar | 2013 | 93000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Saab 9-3 in New Hampshire, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 79000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 87000 | 1100 | Fuel pump failed. New fuel pump was defective, failed aftr a couple of days, and replaced at no further cost. |
| Feb | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 100000 | 450 | Replaced failing crank position sensor |
| Jul | 2011 | 107000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Saab 9-3 in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 139000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 156000 | 268 | HVAC recirculation flap motor inoperative; replaced. |
| Mar | 2012 | 167000 | 1895 | Replaced clutch, slave cylinder, axle seals and rear main seal. Replaced leaking valve cover gasket, distributor O ring and retorqued head bolts. Top exterior windshield trim gasket came off. |
| Dec | 2012 | 176000 | 90 | Replaced front windshield wiper motor. Cleaned and lubricated noisy HVAC fan motor. |
| Jan | 2013 | 176700 | 130 | Oil leak, diagnosed to be a timing chain cover seal leak. |
| Mar | 2013 | 178000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Saab 9-3 in North Carolina, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 90000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 95000 | 700 | bad bearing in alternator |
| Oct | 2010 | 97000 | 160 | Vehicles towed home, replaced crankshaft position sensor, charged battery, erased codes using OBD tool. Replaced 2 rollers in driver door window mechanism after one broke and disabled window operation. |
| Oct | 2011 | 111300 | 30 | Replaced coolant temperature sensor after CEL, no reading from temperature gauge. |
| May | 2012 | 120000 | 160 | Replaced DIC with a used unit, due to fault codes. |
| Jul | 2012 | 122300 | 720 | Replaced both front struts. Also replaced tires (wear items). |
| Nov | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 62000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 63000 | 1200 | AC compressor replaced |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Minnesota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 85000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2012 | 110000 | 500 | Sludge build up in engine was cleaned out |
| Mar | 2012 | 110000 | 0 | Leaking head gasket turned out to be source of sludge. It wasn't worth it to invest the money in the car so we sold it to a Saab mechanic who is going to fix it himself. |
| Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 148000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2012 | 161000 | 200 | Worn ball joints, replaced control arm |
| Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 74000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2011 | 74000 | 0 | I had the oil pan dropped and cleaned to check for sludge (which is a known problem in these engines). the rear pads and rotors were replaced |
| May | 2011 | 78000 | 1041 | The car developed an intermittent no crank/no start problem. I replaced the starter myself. This was not the problem. I brought it to the dealer again, they diagnosed it as a faulty transmission range sensor. |
| Dec | 2011 | 85000 | 165 | Car was shaking slightly in drive/reverse, found that transmission mount was worn |
| Mar | 2012 | 89000 | 50 | Tie rods frozen, required replacement for alignment |
| Saab 9-3 in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2008 | 800 | A/C compressor clutch failure. Replaced A/C compressor. | |
| Aug | 2008 | 200 | Crankcase position sensor replaced. | |
| May | 2011 | 120300 | 700 | Fuel pump. Pounded on gas tank to get car to start. |
| Sep | 2012 | 137000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 76000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2010 | 77000 | 300 | Driver side rear window fell into the door |
| Sep | 2010 | 78000 | 800 | Replaced water pump Broken motor mount |
| Dec | 2010 | 79000 | 300 | Drivers window fell off track |
| Nov | 2011 | 83000 | 200 | Another burst hose |
| Dec | 2011 | 84000 | 15 | top radiator hose exploded |
| Mar | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Quebec, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 41540 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 43400 | 300 | Replaced transmission mount. |
| Jun | 2012 | 45880 | 1500 | Replaced a/c compressor. Still not working, will check coil next. |
| Dec | 2012 | 47120 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 191000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 192000 | 0 | check engine, oil alert on oil intake screen full of sludge. Previous repair didn't correct problem. HID lights burnt out, driver window out of alignment, battery bad, electric mirrors not working. Still waiting for appointment. |
| Saab 9-3 in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2010 | 104000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 109000 | 900 | Fuel pump failed |
| Mar | 2011 | 112000 | 750 | Rear window regulator failing, so window was not reliably working. |
| May | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2002 Saab 9-3 Repair Advice
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What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2002 Saab 9-3
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