2001 Saab 9-3: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 74 complaints
74
Total Complaints
75,400mi
Median Mileage
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
Top Issue
2
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

59,168 25th Percentile
75,400 Median Mileage
93,982 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
6
AIR BAGS
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2

Severity Assessment

2
Crashes
1
Fires
4
Injuries
2
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BENT, LEADING TO MASSIVE MIS-ALIGNMENT, AND THE RUINING OF 4 TIRES. SAAB CLAIMS IT RESULTED FROM "ENERGY" NOT A DEFECT. THEY SAY I MUST HAVE DRIVEN IT "TOO HARD." I IN FACT BABIED THE CAR, DRIVING MODERATELY, HITTING NO MAJOR BUMPS OR HOLES. STATE FARM CLAIMS IT PROBABLY ..."
"RIGHT REAR CONTROL ARM BENT, LEADING TO MASSIVE MIS-ALIGNMENT, AND THE RUINING OF 4 TIRES. SAAB CLAIMS IT RESULTED FROM "ENERGY" NOT A DEFECT. THEY SAY I MUST HAVE DRIVEN IT "TOO HARD." I IN FACT BABIED THE CAR, DRIVING MODERATELY, HITTING NO MAJOR BUMPS OR HOLES. STATE FARM CLAIMS IT PROBABLY ..."
"WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. LOSING ALL POWER, RESULTING IN NO STEERING, BRAKES ETC,. CONTACTED DEALER.*AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28