general problems of the 2007 SAAB 9-3

I was having an issue with my engine idling rough when starting up and while driving cold. After the car warms, the issue get a bit better. But while cold, the car runs terribly rough. After spending over $3000 trying to diagnose and fix the issue, including replacing the entire fuel system, several engine parts, and hours of labor and wasted time, the SAAB dealer narrows it down to a compression issue involving one of the intake valves, which it seems is a common problem for the 2007 model 9-3s. They estimate an additional $2,500 of work to fix it! I've read hundreds of complains on this issue. If this is such a common issue, gm should recall these faulty parts and replace them.

Needs valve job ($3k) due to improperly hardened valves. Very common problem on this car. Rough running when cold. Compression test verifies this condition: very poor when cold, but fine when warm. If left on-fixed, will cause permanent misfiring.

The contact owns a 2007 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that the engine valves failed prematurely. The service engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle performed roughly each time the failure occurred. In addition, the springs that connected to the front struts had premature rust and corrosion, which caused it to fracture without warning. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the front coils springs and eight valves needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also inspected by a dealer (conntech SAAB specialists, 180 jefferson blvd, warwick, ri 02888, (401) 738-3665). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

It appears I too have been struck with the misfortune of having what I have termed " morning sickness" in cooler weather. I currently have one - hundred and forty- eight thousand miles on this vehicle. I just had it diagnosed low compression in two of the cylinder's, one cylinder has 150 psi?, the other has 175. I believe they should be 200 psi? usually it does not last long ( of rough running) of course depending on outside temperature. I have recorded a temp . Of five above f. , and the car started fine, but took a while for it to " clear out ", generally no more than a minute or two. I see I am not the only one with this problem, thought I'd share with others and maybe something could be done about it. I guess I feel I am luck, that with all miles I have on the vehicle, that I have gotten this far, question is how much farther can I go before I need to something??.

Intake valve failure on 2. 0 turbo. Chronic problem with this model due to defective valves. Widespread problem on the internet linked to improperly hardened intake valves. The car failed to start and a cylinder compression check indicated that compression was lost on all four cylinders. $2,600 repair.

Difficult or no start when cold, rough idle, low compression #4 cylinder.

On August 27, 2012, while shopping in the mall, I came out side to the fire department putting a fire out that looks to have occurred while I was in the store. I don't understand how the care caught fire while it was parked. When I got out of the car it seemed to be fine. The fire marshall report side that it was an electrical fire that started because a defect from the manufacturer.

Began having issues starting, and misfires, and finally engine lost compression but still able to start when weather was warm. Nov -Dec 2011 no start or hard start in weather below 35f,local service shop said needed new engine, no compression when sat for long periods or exterior temp below 35f approx 94,000 mile. Dec 2011- called SAAB but bankrupt so no customer service, reached out to gm corporate regarding warranty and was told not honoring them since bankruptcy. Jan 2012 -2nd opinion by indy SAAB focused service center. Thought wrong oil was put in and with proper oil car, new spark plugs, fuel pump, etc started even in cold weather, but still misfired and rough idle and had to start in cold had mild winter. Jan 2013- same no start in cold and compression test again and cold test showed no compression in all cylinders. Hard to start when outside temp was below 30f and tested compression again and loss of compression, and ran sea foam through engine to remove carbon buildup upon suggestion from website board, others having issues with gm motors! not specific to SAAB. Still randomly started car ever 6 hours when temp dropped below 28f. Mar 2013- did another top engine cleaning with sea foam, mild weather until December. Dec 4th 2013-again hard start in cold weather did another top engine cleaning with sea foam. Jan 8, 2014- temp outside 22f no start again after sitting for 6 hours, battery dead from cranking, car towed, and no compression again, another 2 cycles top engine cleaning, car started after sitting in shop overnight. Jan 22, 2014- temp outside 16f, sat idle for 8 hours, no start again, battery died from cranking, car towed to shop, waiting on diagnosis. Found mention of spna technical bulletin dated 12/17/2013 hard starting cold w/ engine misfire and low compression 9-3 b207 and it described my issue perfectly. Reaching out local SAAB/gm service center.

Owner drove SAAB to mall and parked it. Approximately 20-30 minutes later, came back out to car and observed that fire department had extinguished a fire in the SAAB. Fire originated in right rear of engine compartment. Cause undetermined at this time. Vehicle has 2. 0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Owner parked the vehicle at work and when owner got out, owner noticed a weird electrical type smell. Owner went inside to work. Approximately 5 minutes later, someone came in and said that the SAAB was smoking. Owner went outside and saw smoke coming from around the hood and also saw some embers dripping underneath the SAAB. Someone else called the fire department. By the time the fire department arrived, there was fire appearing up through the hood and cowl area. Vehicle has 2. 0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

2007 SAAB 9-3 went on fire with driver in it. Car was serviced at massey SAAB, orlando, flon June 3rd, 2008 (40,000 mile service, electrical repairs, detail, wheel alignment). Vehicle was in mcdonald's drive-through in orlando FL on junction of 535 n and hotel plaza blvd. Engine caught on fire. Manger of mcdonald's (frederico) and I (driver) pushed car away from building and other people. Flames entered cabin while I was in the vehicle steering it. I jumped out just in time, and the whole car went up in flames. There have been records of other SAAB's having similar fire problems in the past. I would like to have this investigated so other's are not injured in an occurrence like this. I am lucky to be alive. The fire department arrived and extinguished the flames, and informed me how lucky I was that I jumped out, and not brought the car home and parked it in my garage. Otherwise the whole neighborhood would have been affected. I do not have the full VIN b/c the car is completely totaled in fire. The last six numbers are 013430. The vehicle belongs to a fleet company wheels inc. I work for a pharmaceutical company, and this was my company car. Wheels/roche should have all details on the vehicle when you are investigating. Information for orange county fire rescue 407-836-9000 run# 47137; mcdonald's phone #: 407-827-1030.