2004 Saab 9-3 Complaint Log

THE GAS GAUGE FLUCTUATES FROM FILLED TO EMPTY, RANDOMLY, EVEN THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL EVERY TIME THE TANK IS FILLED. *TR

2004 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. CONSUMER STATES ISSUES WITH FUEL TANK AND SENSOR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL AS THE GREENBOX MALFUNCTION LIGHT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT HAVING THE LATEST SOFTWARE. SO, THE DEALER HAD TO PERFORM THE SPS OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE TO UPDATE TO THE NEWEST SOFTWARE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE HE RAN THE VEHICLE ON LOW FUEL, IT SHORTED OUT THE FUEL SENSOR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN HE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 05/18/11 *BF UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER RETRACT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO ASSIST WITH PARTIAL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER TURBULENT ROAD CONDITIONS OR WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A CREAKING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT ON MY 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE SEAT BELT IS USELESS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT MY VIN# IS NOT COVERED! *TR

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED ON MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THIS HAPPENED AT ABOUT 43,000 MILES. SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT AND NO LONGER USABLE. I CONTACTED SAAB AND MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS ALSO FUNCTIONING ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

LEFT WORK PARKING LOT AND FELT SOMETHING RUBBING ON DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND SMELLED A TIRE SMELL AND NOTICED BLUE SMOKE FROM MY REARVIEW MIRROR. STARTED TO PULL OVER AND THE TIRE BLEW. THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE. GO TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON AND SEE THE SPRING FROM THE STRUT HAD ALMOST CUT MY TIRE OFF THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. CALLED MY LOCAL SAAB DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ONE SPRING. AS I WAS LOOKING UP HOW MUCH THIS WAS GOING TO COST ME(BEFORE I FOUND OUT I WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY) EVERY SITE I VISITED SAID THE SAME THING SAAB RECOMMENDS REPLACING BOTH SPRINGS YET THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THE ONE THAT BROKE AND SHREDDED MY TIRE. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET I SEE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT TURNED INTO A RECALL. IF I HAD MADE IT TO THE FIRST ROUND ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT GOES TO 55MPH THE AMOUNT OF FORCE THAT PULLED MY CAR TO THE RIGHT AT 15MPH WAS ALMOST ENOUGH TO HIT AN ON COMING CAR. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD HAVE DONE AT 55MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. *TR

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SAAB DATED FEB 2010 TO OWNERS OF 2003 - 2006 SAAB 9-3S THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM OF THE SUSPENSION SPRING CORROSION MAY WEAKEN AND/OR BREAK. 3RD PARAGRAPH BOLD UNDERLINED: DO NOT TAKE YOUR CAR TO THE DEALER AS A RESULT OF THE LETTER UNLESS YOU BELIEVE YOUR CAR HAS THE CONDITION. I DID NOT TAKE IT IN. ON MAY 18, 2010 THE SPRING ON THE LEFT FRONT BROKE RESULTING IN THE FRONT END DROPPING. DURING THE LOADING ON FLAT BED TOW TRUCK THE OIL PAN WAS DAMAGED WITH A $1055 REPAIR AT MY EXPENSE. NO OIL LEAK PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *TR

2004 SAAB 9-3 ARC. THE CIRCUIT LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE CAR, WHICH CONTROLS THE REAR LIGHT CLUSTERS INCLUDING THE TOP MOUNTED BRAKE LIGHT OFTEN FAILS. I HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE IN JUST OVER A YEAR AND IT HAS FAILED AGAIN. IT STARTS WITH ONE BULB FAILING AND THE WARNING MESSAGE SHOWS UP ON THE DISPLAY. THEN IN A SERIES ALL THE OTHER BULBS START TO FAIL. THEY EITHER DON'T WORK OR ARE ALWAYS ON EVEN IF THE CAR IS SWITCHED OFF AND LOCKED. THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT BOARD WAS REPLACED TWICE AT A PRICE OF OVER $700 INC OF LABOR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEATBELT MADE A POPPING SOUND AND NO LONGER RETRACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V043000 (SEAT BELTS: FRONT: RETRACTOR). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DRIVING HALF A MILE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD ANOTHER LOUD POP AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE AND CONTACT DROVE TO A REPAIR CENTER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE AND PIERCED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT WAS BEING SERVICED ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 FAILED. SAAB ISSUED A RECALL FOR SOME FAILED SEAT BELT RETRACTORS IN 2004 9-3S, BUT NOT FOR THE FULL MODEL YEAR. MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. IT SEEMS THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SUFFICIENTLY COMPREHENSIVE IN THEIR RECALL. *TR

IN FEB 2010 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM SAAB SAYING THAT THE FRONT SPRINGS OF MY CAR COULD FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. THEY SAID COULD CAUSE THE HEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE TO DECREASE BY AN INCH OR TWO. WHAT THEY NEGLECTED TO SAY WAS THAT THE BROKEN SPRING CAN HIT THE TIRE AND CAUSE THE TIRE TO FAIL, WHICH IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO ME AND MAY OTHER SAAB OWNERS. THEIR LETTER SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED THIS SINCE TIRE FAILURE CAUSED MY CAR TO BREAK DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WHICH HAD NO SHOULDER AND I HAD NO WARNING THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 93. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SHE HEARD SOMETHING SNAP AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WAS LOOSE AND HAD BROKEN. SHE WAS UNABLE TO SECURE OR TIGHTEN IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A SEAT BELT MECHANISM TO REPAIR IT. THE SEAT BELT WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103000. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN UPDATED 06/02/10*JB

DURING THE TIME FRAME THAT I FIRST RECEIVED THE NOTICE OF THE RECALL OF THE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR MY VEHICLE THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS (LEFT-SIDE PASSENGER BEHIND THE DRIVER) ON MY VEHICLE HAD FAILED TO RETRACT PROPERLY. WHEN I INITIALLY TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO REPLACE THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS I INQUIRED AS TO THE REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTORS AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE REAR SEAT BELTS AT THAT TIME HOWEVER, I SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR SAAB WEBSITE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL SEATBELT RECALLS. AS OF DATE I HAVE NOT LOCATED ANY ADDITIONAL RECALL NOTICES FROM SAAB REGARDING THE SEAT BELTS ON THE 2004 9-3 AERO. FOR SAFETY REASONS I NO LONGER USE THE LEST SIDE PASSENGER SEAT IN MY VEHICLE AS NOW THE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AT ALL. *TR

2004 SAAB 9-3 FRONT RIGHT SPRING COIL FAILURE. NO WARNING PRIOR TO DEFECT. LOUD NOISE IN WHEEL WELL FIRST/ONLY SIGN UPON STARTING CAR AND PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. RETURNED HOME IMMEDIATELY AND MADE APPOINTMENT WITH INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. DROVE APPROX. 2 MILES TO MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION SPRING COIL FRACTURED/BROKEN. MADE APPOINTMENT WITH SAAB DEALER WHO ASSURED ME IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE CAR TO DEALER. DROVE APPROX. 1.5M WHEN BROKEN COIL SPRING PUNCTURED TIRE RESULTING IN BLOWN-OUT TIRE. SAAB TOWED CAR, REPLACED BOTH FRONT SPRING COILS AND TIRE AT NO CHANGE. *TR

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL HAS SNAPPED AND I'VE FOUND OUT THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE FROM SAAB. THIS IS QUITE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I'VE NOT SEEN ANY LETTER WARNING US OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER. *TR

MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 ARC HAD A DANGEROUS SEAT HEATER ISSUE. I WAS NEARLY BURNED WHEN THE SEAT HEATER WENT CRAZY. SO, HOT I COULDN'T TOUCH THE SEAT. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR AND GET OUT. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! *TR

FRONT COIL SPRING HAS BROKEN. *TR

LEFT FRONT SPRING FAILURE. THERE WAS AN ERRATIC OCCASIONAL METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF THE SPRING BEING BROKEN. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE CENTER AND DISCOVERED SPRING FAILURE. UPON FURTHER INQUIRY WITH SAAB DEALER DISCOVERED THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. HAD CAR REPAIRED AND PARTS REPLACED WITH NEW REDESIGNED SPRINGS TO CORRECT DEFECT. OLD PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? WHY HASN'T A WARNING BEEN SENT OUT TO SAAB OWNERS? WE OWN A SECOND SAAB 9-3 AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT FRONT SPRING FAILURE ON THIS CAR! *TR

THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS ON THE SAAB 9-3, FROM 2003 THROUGH PRESENT, DO NOT ADEQUATELY ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY. THIS TYPE OF HEADLIGHT LAMP DESIGN IS KNOWN AS A "PROJECTOR BEAM" & IS A DIFFERENT CONCEPT THAN TRADITIONAL HEADLIGHTS. THEY'RE DESIGNED TO BETTER ILLUMINATE ROAD SIGNS & PERIPHERAL ROAD MARKERS, WHICH THEY DO, BUT AS FAR AS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF HEADLIGHTS, (TO ILLUMINATE THE ROADWAY IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE) THEY ARE INADEQUATE & ONLY EXTEND LIGHT ABOUT 40' DOWN THE ROADWAY, WHICH IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO DRIVE SAFELY AT NIGHT. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS COMPLAINT IS ONLY REGARDING THE LOWBEAM HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS, AS BOTH THE HIGHBEAMS & OPTIONAL XENON TYPE HEADLIGHTS ARE MORE THAN ADEQUATE. THE IRONY OF THIS PROBLEM IS THAT THE SAAB 9-3 IS AMONG THE VERY SAFEST CARS AVAILABLE TODAY, FROM A CRASH TEST PERSPECTIVE, BUT NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY IS A SEPARATE SAFETY RELATED ISSUE WHICH I'VE NEVER SEEN TEST RESULTS FOR. MY FAMILY HAS OWNED SAABS EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS & HAVEN'T HAD THIS HEADLIGHT PROBLEM UNTIL WE PURCHASED A SAAB MODEL 9-3, OF WHICH WE NOW OWN 2: AN '04 & AN '07, BOTH OF WHICH SUFFER FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU ACCESS THE WEBSITE WWW.SAABNET.COM & SEARCH ON "DIM HEADLIGHTS", YOU'LL SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE SEAT BELT ON MY SAAB 9.3 - 2004 STOPPED WORKING FOR NO REASON. I FOUND ON THE INTERNET THAT THE ITEM HAD BEEN RECALLED BUT SAAB REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL. NHTSA NUMBER 04V226000. *TR

2004 SAAB 9-3. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT TENSIONING MAY FAIL. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED SINCE HE PAID FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF HIS POCKET. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE SUBMITTED THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK, BUT HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS SINCE RECEIVED A SECOND LETTER REGARDING THE RECALL. *JB

HEARD A LOUD NOISE WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT; SOON AFTER, THERE WAS A RUBBER(TIRE) BURNING SMELL AND VIBRATION ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THE COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND WAS PRESSING AGAINST THE TIRE AND RIM. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. CHANGED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS. MILEAGE ON THE CAR-44,000. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE LEFT COIL SPRING FRACTURED AND THEN PUNCTURED A WHOLE IN HIS DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR HAS THE MANUFACTURER BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 93. THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WOULD NOT RETRACT THE SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE RETRACTOR. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS FRONT:RETRACTOR). THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING "BROKE" WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 SAAB 9-3 ON THE HIGHWAY AT OVER 50 MPH. CAUSED SIGNIFICANT STRUT DAMAGE AND RATTLING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AS I WAS WORKING TO SCHEDULE IN A MECHANIC VISIT. THEY FINALLY QUOTED ME $930 IN REPAIRS TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS, STRUTS AND TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT. APPARENTLY, A LOT OF OTHER SAABS OF THE SAME MODEL HAS HAD THIS ISSUE ARISE FOR THEM, I THINK THE SPRINGS SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE DRIVER-SIDE FRONT SEAT BELT RETRACTOR HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED THE BELT WEBBING TO NOT RETRACT. HE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SO HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 106,000.

VEHICLE OWNER PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND STOPPED, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. OWNER REPORTED THAT THE SMOKE BECAME BLACK AND A FIRE ERUPTED. FIRE ORIGIN IN RIGHT REAR OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSE UNDETERMINED. VEHICLE HAS 2.0 LITER TURBOCHARGED 4-CYLINDER ENGINE. *TR

I WAS USING MY CAR'S SEAT WARMER AND THE SEAT BEGAN TO GET VERY HOT IN ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT. I ALSO NOTICED A BURNING SMELL THAT SMELLED LIKE BURNING LEAD OR RUBBER. THE LEVEL OF HEAT THAT WAS COMING FROM THE SPOT ON THE SEAT LEAD ME TO LIFT MYSELF OFF OF THE SEAT IN ORDER TO PREVENT BURNING MY LEG. I TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF, WHICH SEEMED TO MAKE THE BURNING SUBSIDE. THIS SEQUENCE CONTINUED UNTIL ABOUT A WEEK LATER WHEN THE SEAT WARMER STOPPED WORKING. ABOUT A MONTH LATER, WITH THE HELP OF A FAMILY FRIEND I REMOVED THE SEAT FROM THE CAR AND REMOVED THE UPHOLSTERY IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AND TRY TO FIX IT. UPON REMOVING THE UPHOLSTERY, WE FOUND THAT THE WIRING OF THE SEAT WARMER HAD STARTED A SMALL FIRE IN THE SEAT CUSHION AND BURNED A HOLE (3 INCHES WIDE AND 1 INCH DEEP) IN THE CUSHION. THE BACKING OF THE LEATHER THAT COVERS THE CUSHION HAD ALSO BEEN BURNED THROUGH. THE WIRING WAS NOT RECOGNIZABLE AND REPAIR WAS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. WE LEFT THE SEAT AS IT IS FOR NOW UNTIL WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE, AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PREVENT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION FROM OCCURRING AGAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3 PURCHASED OCTOBER 2006. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD WHIZZING NOISE, AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE PILLAR, BUT THE TENSIONER HAD BECOME DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE WORK BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNDER 79,037.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS WERE PROGRESSIVELY BECOMING MORE DIM OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, REDUCING VISIBILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

COIL SPRING ON FRONT RIGHT TIRE OF 2004 SAAB 9-3 BROKE. SHREDDED TIRE. *TR

AS I WAS PUTTING ON MY SEATBELT I HEARD A SNAP AND AN UNROLLING SOUND IN THE DOOR OF THE CAR AND THE SEATBELT LOST TENSION. THE SEATBELT WOULD NOT REGAIN TENSION. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE RETRACTOR HAD BROKEN. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2004 SAAB 93 SEATBELT RETRACTORS, BUT THEY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THEREFORE I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR ($455). THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART IN STOCK TO FIX IT SO THEY SENT ME HOME, WITHOUT OFFERING A RENTAL CAR EVEN THOUGH I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN THAT I WAS LACKING A CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURE OF MY CAR. *TR

FRONT SPRING COIL IS BROKE. DURING OIL CHANGE, DEALER CHECKED AND FOUND A PIECE OF THE COIL MISSING. I WOULD LIKE SAAB TO REIMBURSE FOR THIS $400+ REPAIR JOB. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING SNAPPED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45000.

ON, 8/18/2009 AS I WAS DRIVING I HEARD SOMETHING SNAP IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR TRIM AT THIS SAME MOMENT MY SEATBELT WENT COMPLETELY LOOSE. IT WILL NO LONGER RETRACT, THE BELT PULLS OUT FREELY WITH NO RESISTANCE AND IS NOW COMPLETELY OUT AND WILL NOT RETRACT. IN THE EVENT OF AN EVASIVE MANEUVER/CRASH I (THE DRIVER) WILL NOT BE HELD INTO THE SEAT PROPERLY AND RISK BEING EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL IN THE 03/04 SAAB 9-3'S FOR THE FRONT SEATBELT RETRACTORS. I HAVE CONTACTED SAAB USA; THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE RETRACTOR BECAUSE MY VIN FALLS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE COVERED RECALLED CARS. I BELIEVE THAT MY CAR IS SUFFERING FROM THE RECALLED ITEM, AND THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE A LARGER VIN RANGE. *TR

LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT RELEASED THE SEAT BELT, THE MECHANISM ON THE DOOR POST MADE A LOUD NOISE AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AND THEN HAVE THE DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT FAILED AND WOULD COST $400 TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS RECALL DOES NOT EXIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,200. UPDATED 08/04/09 *BF THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. UPDATED 08/10/09.*JB

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN WHEN THE CAR WENT IN FOR INSPECTION. EACH OF THE FRONT SPRINGS HAD APPROXIMATELY 3-4 INCH LONG PIECE BROKEN OFF WHERE IT MEETS THE BOTTOM RETAINER. AWAITING WORD FROM SAAB TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO COVER THE REPAIR. *TR

2004 SAAB 93 ARC 63,000 MILES. BROKEN COIL SPRING. I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN I FELT A LARGE THUMP. MY STEERING WENT ERRATIC AND HEARD GRINDING NOISES. I PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. CAR WAS TOWED. THE CAUSE AND DAMAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BROKEN COIL SPRING WHICH CHAIN REACTED AND CAUSED THE FRONT STRUT TO BREAK, AND BEND THE STABILIZER BAR. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 03-05 SAAB 9-3 (LISTED WITH NHTSA AS WELL AS OTHER SOURCES) IT IS NOT RECALLED AND SAAB HAS YET TO DETERMINE IF THEY WILL FIX THIS AS A COURTESY. BILL, $1200. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A STRANGE NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WAS FIRST NOTICED TWO WEEKS AGO. HE JACKED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE COIL SPRING FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 24,500.

FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH; HOWEVER, HIS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO SERIOUS INJURIES, BUT THE DRIVER AND HIS SPOUSE COMPLAINED OF ACHES AND PAINS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 5/27/09 *CN

MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WILL NO LONGER RETRACT. THIS OCCURRED THIS MORNING DURING MY NORMAL COMMUTE TO WORK THIS MORNING, AT WHICH TIME THERE WAS A SUDDEN BREAKING SOUND FROM BEHIND THE MOLDING. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 SAAB 9-3 THAT HAS EXPERIENCED A FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING FAILURE. THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE AS OF YET BUT I WOULD LIKE GM TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE PART. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HER FRONT SEAT BELT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE RETRACTOR FAILED. THIS PREVENTED THE BELT WEBBING FROM RETRACTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V226000 (SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR). IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $497 TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 47,000.

NOTICED A SUDDEN STEERING PULL AND THUMP/RATTLE IN FRONT END. DROVE TO NEAREST SHOP TO HAVE A LOOK AND WAS TOLD MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN AND LUCKY THAT THE SPRING DID NOT SHRED THE TIRE AND CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT! I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS HAS BEEN A SOMEWHAT COMMON DEFECT ON SIMILAR YEAR MODELS. SHOP RECOMMENDED REPLACE BOTH SPRINGS BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. *TR