Two problems related to engine failure have been reported for the 2000 SAAB 9-3. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 SAAB 9-3 based on all problems reported for the 2000 9-3.
My car stopped on mass turnpike around midnight. I had vehicle towed to the nearest SAAB dealer. Their diagnosis was the oil sludge. Even at that time the dealer did not mention anything about special warranty the SAAB announced in 2005. I have never received any information from the SAAB as well. After I search the internet I found out about the special warranty. I filed a claim and submitted all oil change receipts I had ( it is their requirement to qualify for the special warranty). The car is almost 8years old. The only three receipts I did not submit were when the car had 10,000, 20,000, and 30,000 miles. My claim was rejected based on these 3 missing oilchange receipts. I am a second owner therefore I do not have these records and SAAB refused to provide me with the previous owner's name ( privacy act) and they also refused to contact the previous owner on my behalf. The mileage on the car at the time of the engine failure was 104,000 miles. It is obvious that the oil change in the first year of the car had nothing to do with the problem I have experienced. The car would not drive for the next 7 years. The people in the SAAB's special warranty dept. Were arrogant and totally unprofessional. Their response to me was " buy a new car". As of now my car is undrivable and has no value. I strongly feel that SAAB corp. Should take care of that problem under the special warranty. If you are unable to help me please direct me to the right place. That car cost me so much money and I refuse to accept their decision.
Since purchasing my 2000 SAAB 9-3 (VIN # ys3df58k1y2033326) in 2003, I have spent $9,000 in vehicle repairs which have subsequently become "recall notices" issued from SAAB cars USA. The vehicle's engine failed fall 2004 - with subsequent repair coverage under a recall notice issued 5/17/05. The ignition discharge module failed in 7/05, with repairs subsequently covered through an idm recall notice issued 3/31/06. At the time of the idm failure in 7/05, the SAAB dealership also diagnosed catalytic converter failure in the vehicle. Do the major mechanical issues that exist with this vehicle cause a cascade of events which have damaged the catalytic converter, now requiring replacement?.