Automatic Transmission Problems of SAAB 9-3

Several months ago I had placed my 2004 9-3 SAAB in park and left the car running to get out and turn off my sprinklers. While out of the car the vehicle rolled up the driveway and headed to wards my garage narrowly missing my house. I ran after the car and jumped in the drivers seat just as the car made contact with the garage door. I was able to put on the brake and stop the car before it knocked down the whole garage. I contacted SAAB immediately and they had the car checked by their mechanics who said they could find nothing. I know that I had put the car in park before exiting. The car also was parked on an incline and instead of rolling backwards had it not been in park it actually rolled up the driveway as if it went from park into drive. I was unaware of the issue until I heard that gm has other cars with the same issue. Since they are trying to sell SAAB I am sure they are trying to hide that this problem may also exist in the Saabs as well.

See all problems of the 2004 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

I own a 2006 SAAB 9-3 aero sport combi. Two weeks ago, after the vehicle had been parked for 24 hours, I started the vehicle and placed the gear shift in reverse. The vehicle started rolling out of the drive way. The brake pedal was rock hard at the top of the stroke. It took me nearly 75 feet to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was traveling at 2-3 mph. The vehicle is currently at the dealership because the brake booster is back ordered. This is the third time the vehicle has been in the shop for this complaint. Each time the aux. Brake booster was replaced.

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Car doesn't want to shift into the next gear. Second time this car has been in for the same issue. This time they had to replace the transmissions.

See all problems of the 2003 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

This car has died 3 times while driving and required a tow. The first time the ignition module was replaced for free (recall). The 2nd time the car mysteriously re-started before the tow truck arrived. The most recent incident resulted in a tow to the nearest dealer and the (defective) throttle body being replaced at a cost of $714. Also, the catalytic converters had to be replaced (non-warranty) after the ignition module (recall). At approx. 118,000 miles the transmission was replaced.

See all problems of the 2002 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

Malfunction of automatic transmission on a car with 50000 miles on. Transmission specialist indicated malfunction began at least 5000 miles prior to the breakdown.

Under normal driving conditions while driving approximately 45 mph, the gas gauge read just over 1 bar of fuel remaining when a traction control system failure and gearbox malfunction message appeared in the display screen. Immediately following, the engine shut off and all control of the vehicle failed. No one was injured at the time due to the late hour and there being no other traffic near by but had there been traffic an accident would have most likely resulted from the failures.

When driving, the transmission will come out of gear at any rpm's.

"gear box malfunction". After owning a pre-owned 2003 9-3 SAAB for not even three weeks, the transmission in the vehicle went out. Now that the vehicle is out of warranty, at 55k it is costing well over $7,000. 00!! the transmission skips every gear except for 2nd and 5th. Very nice car, but won't ever own another.

The contact owns a 2003 SAAB 9-3. When the contact turned the vehicle, the instrument panel indicated that there was a gear box malfunction. The warning light dimmed a few days later. Afterwards, the contact experienced acceleration failures. After idling at a traffic light, it was difficult to accelerate. The vehicle would also shift uneasily. While attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle would not pick up speed and allow her to shift gears. The contact was concerned that the lack of acceleration could cause a crash while merging into traffic. The dealer stated that a new transmission was needed. She spoke with the manufacturer and is awaiting a return call; however, she was informed that they probably would be unable to assist. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was approximately 54,000 and failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Gearbox malfunction, intermittent shifting or sudden deceleration we bought the car in April 2006. The car ran fine until August 2006 when the first gearbox malfunction light was indicated with an inability for the automatic transmission to downshift. Since the first gearbox malfunction the 2003 93 SAAB has been in the garage (under warranty) six times for a total of 49 days. I have asked for gm/SAAB to take/buy the car back. My car was in the authorized SAAB service garage (portland SAAB) for the entire month of December 2006 where the entire transaxle was replaced. The car is currently at coldbrook SAAB (where I bought the car) for another gearbox malfunction.

Brake pads & rotors, seat belt, battery replacement, tire, transmission, sunroof malfunction.

Vehicle began shifting poorly and would not go into reverse unless turned off (5 speed manual trans). SAAB dealership opened tarnsmission and found it needed full replacement (60,000 miles) and also needed a new clutch. Since that time the check engine light continues to come on and go off erraticly. SAAB can't seem to figure out why the light keeps coming on. Very expensive replacements and diagnostics!.

See all problems of the 2000 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

Purchased 2003 9-3 linear in August 2003. The car has been back to the dealer for service several times within the first few months of ownership. First time car was in on complaint of front wheels out of alignment (car pulls to the left all the time coasting, under acceleration, etc. ). The steering wheel must be held slightly off center to allow the car to go straight. Dealer denied problem and attributed it to curvature in the road. I have driven other cars over the same road even the same model loaner car without the pull to the left. Complained two additional times with no response from dealer. Because the car has more significant problems I have given up on this one for now. Second time car was out of service for over 20 consecutive days while dealer diagnosed and fixed onstar and stereo malfunction. The stereo was not functioning at several points in the day and then would come back on automatically at the next start-up. Dealer replaced all components of the system stereo, cd player, onstar module, ect. To correct the problem. Third time was a major complaint. I have experienced slippage in the automatic transmission at almost every other shift under moderate to hard acceleration. The car actually revs rpms between shift for 3 to 4 seconds before shifting to the next gear. Additionally, under hard acceleration from a complete stop the car will not shift until after fuel pump cut-off in the rpm range. Dealer could not diagnose via computer; however I suggested a tech drove the car for a day or two. Tech acknowledged slippage problem and said he experienced a similar problem on other 2003 9-3 vehicles; however; was unable to diagnose or fix. He put in a call to SAAB technical to see if they have further information. We await SAAB technical response.

The lease on this vehicle began on October 6, 2003. It has had multiple electrical issues starting less than 30 days after delivery. Most recently, September 11, 2005. I have been stranded three times and had to have the car towed twice. Each time the onstar did not work because of electrical malfunctions. We no longer have any confidence in this vehicle and if we owned it we would sell it. Problems include but are not limited to: * cd player stopped working and was replaced within first 30 days of lease. * brakes replaced within first 60 days of lease. * onstar computer replaced within first 60 days of lease. * vehicle computer updated within first year of lease. This left me stranded and almost required a tow due to inoperative transmission but, the vehicle eventually shifted into limp mode before the tow truck arrived allowing us to drive it to the dealership. * vehicle computer updated again within first year of lease. * onstar computer repaired again within first year of lease. * door handles faded and replaced within second year * parking break stuck and vehicle required a tow within second year of lease. * engine immobilizer malfunction requiring another tow of the vehicle within second year of lease. We were told that the battery abruptly died. * trip computer must be reset after gas is added in order to show correct distance to empty. * miles between oil changes seem incorrect. We are at 27000 miles and have only had one oil change. The dealership continues to tell us to wait until the computer requests the service.

Vehicle equipped with automatic transmission stalls at low speeds during brief periods of acceleration. Frequently, this occurs while crossing an intersection, making a left hand turn from a stop sign, or a turn in front of traffic.

My 2003 SAAB 9-3 arc (purchased this July) with automatic transmission nearly stalled (sputtered, hesitated and nearly lost power) while making a left hand turn between oncoming traffic. While this car has not fully stalled out, I have felt it hesitated on a number of other occasions. I owned another 2003 SAAB, identical in every way, that completely stalled out at idle speed while stuck in traffic and also while starting out in reverse and in forward. The fact that this new car nearly stalled in front of oncoming traffic has really scared me. I have read a number of complaints on the web about stalling in the 2003 SAAB 9-3. I spoke to SAAB customer service yesterday and they denied any other complaints on the stalling issue. I am bringing my car to the dealer on Monday, however, I feel that SAAB needs to address this potentially very serious issue.

I have a 2003 SAAB 9-3 linear. I have had the car stall on me in traffic 4 times now over the last 4 months. I now realize I'm far from the only one this has happened to. This is a very dangerous situation as I have been in highway traffic 3 of the 4 times. Luckily in the outside lane and able to pull off. I have automatic transmission and run high octance fuel (recommended). Hopefully something can be done to press gm and force them to fix this problem.

When driving on the highway if traffic comes to a sudden stop, braking is horrible. The car does not grip the road it slides. When putting car into drive or reverse, car hesitates for about 30 seconds then jerks into action. The air conditioning system stopped working. The car is literally falling apart piece by piece.

See all problems of the 1999 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

While driving at 40 mph the vehicle stalled. The driver tried to restart the vehicle and was able to get it started. The driver was able to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic can not duplicate the problem.