One problem related to noises during shifting has been reported for the 2006 SAAB 9-3. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2006 SAAB 9-3 based on all problems reported for the 2006 9-3.
Hard shifting, slipping of transmission when accelerating. 2006 aero v6, when cold the shifting of the automatic transmission is very stiff resulting in noises and bumps when up or down shifting in the 'auto' mode. Shifting into higher gearing at highway speeds are slow and often up and down as the transmission tries to find the correct gear range. This occurs (looking for gears) when warm. Also when warm going down hill the shifting bumps very hard to lower gears causing car to slow down dramatically. When cold, transmission sometimes will not shift up when accelerating while making a turn from a stop.