One problem related to rear suspension springs has been reported for the 2004 SAAB 9-3. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 SAAB 9-3 based on all problems reported for the 2004 9-3.
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.