Check Engine Light On Problems of SAAB 9-3

Experienced hard starting in cold weather in the pacific northwest the past few years. Did research and found a TSB regarding the intake valves for 2. 0 ecotec 4 cylinder. Had a compression test following several check engine lights and multiple readings diagnose a p0300 engine code . Cold and warm compression test showed cylinder 2 compression well out of specification. Documents available upon request. Quoted $4000 for engine rebuild.

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Recently, while starting the car it started up very rough. A few weeks ago the check engine light also came on and the mechanic told me there was an issue in cylinder 2. We replaced all spark plugs and coils, and the issue did not go away. In addition, the car has also started stalling randomly. Luckily, I haven't been driving at high speeds when this has happened but it's now shut off about 7 or 8 times in the last month. Been wondering if its intake valves, fuel pump, powertrain control module, camshaft timing. . . Sounds like lots of other people have experienced similar issues and hoping mines not because of the intake valves. Please email zachgrosel@hotmail. Com if you have experienced similar issues and know the fix. Car is a manual transmission.

I took my car to the shop today and told them that my check engine light has been coming on, particularly on cold starts. I also told them that it usually idles roughly on first starting up, then runs normally after a while. They ran tests on it and told me that the car has what is commonly known as the 'intake valve problem common on 07-11 SAAB 9-3's' they have given me an estimate of $2400 to replace the intake valves. From research, this appears to be an issue that owners have been having for years now. The car has 93,000 miles on it, and is a 2007 9-3 2. 0t sedan.

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I have owned my 2008 SAAB 9-3 for about a year now and I have had an ongoing rough running issue that seems to be getting worse. When I start my car up in the morning it runs very rough and recently the check engine light has been turing on and off with cylinder misfire codes. I have done some research and had this problem diagnosed, several times, as having bad intake valves. After doing more research on this problem, I have come to find this is a rather common issue with this specific year make and model. This is concerning because I have had this repair quoted at over $2000. 00. I am very familiar with manufacturer recalls and have been told by multiple dealerships to submit a complaint in order for this problem to be covered under a manufacturer recall due to faulty parts.

Intermittent check engine light. Comes on for a while and then goes off. Cannot link it to any vehicle activity.

The contact owns a 2003 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked when the brake pedal was depressed and stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred intermittently. In addition, it took multiple attempts to open the driver side door. The vehicle was taken to an independently mechanic where it was diagnosed that the spark plugs had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,171.

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Approximately 5 minutes after starting, the car stalled on a busy, 6 lane road. The engine was not able to start again, or even attempt to ignite. The check engine light was on. The car spent 2 days in the mechanic, who was able to source a p1605 error code. However, he told us only a licensed SAAB technician could extract details from the code. While at the shop, the car was also started by the mechanics and appeared to be working normally, upon which they deleted the error code. Two days after the initial incident, we drove it back approximately 12 miles back home without any issues. Later that same day, the car stalled a second time on the expressway after 10-15 minutes of driving; fortunately I was driving in the right-hand lane and was easily able to pull over on the shoulder. After the car was towed to a specialized SAAB mechanic, they were able to conclude that the issues were stemming from a defective ecu (engine control unit). We exchanged the ecu with a brand new part, at the cost of $1400. While clearing up the finances, I spoke with a service representative at the mechanic/dealer who informed me that while my car was in the shop, there were 2 more cars that had came in with the same problem. Also, customer service from an online SAAB parts retailer informed me that this has been a known problem to him, based off other customers' experiences. Their cars would stall, be fine after cooling down, but would stall again later.

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The contact owns a 2009 SAAB 9-3. While driving at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.

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Check engine light on. . Shop found multiple engine misfires. . Checked engine compression. . Compression below manufacturers specs. . Needed complete valve job per SAAB recommendation. . Parts sent to machine shop for repairs and re-condition. . Re-install of cylinder head assembly with new head gasket and all other needed gasket and seals. . Flushed and refilled all engine transmission fluids. . Complete valve job with intake and exhaust valves. . Defective valve is reported issue on SAAB 9-3 2008. .

We purchased a 2008 SAAB 9-3 in 3/2011 with 34,000 miles. As of 2/2015 the vehicle has 104,000 miles. Last month the vehicle barely started after sitting overnight and would take several minutes to reach a normal idle. It would then start the rest of the day, sometimes after a "hard" start. The check engine light came on and the mechanic said the code read as a "cylinder misfire" code. 8 days ago the car would not start and is now sitting in my driveway. I called a SAAB specialist about 2 hours away from me who knew exactly what the problem was. He explained the intake valve problem that a lot of SAAB owners are experiencing due to defective materials used by gm and/or suppliers. He said the cost will be at least $2,200 but could easily be more depending on the severity. This is a known defect (a service bulletin has been issued detailing this issue) that should be subject to a recall. We cannot afford to fix an engine that does not work due to substandard valves. This is not a normal "wear and tear" issue, but an issue dealing with parts that were doomed from the beginning.

The contact owns a 2007 SAAB 9-3. The vehicle stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who could not diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileages was 26,000.

I'm not certain if this is a safety issue but it certainly qualifies as an emissions issue and a manufacturer's defect. On every cold start, the engine would run rough until I put it in drive and would run fine after a few minutes. I let it sit and idle for a while once and the check engine light came on as a result. A local dealership found low compression across 2 cylinders and informed me it was the dreaded valve issue (intake valve cupping they called it). The dealership had fixed a number of these and from various online forums, I see that a number of 2007 and 2008 SAAB 9-3 owners seem to have experienced the same problem. The repair consisted of removing and replacing all 8 intake valves, hand lapping them, removing and replacing all valve seals, and refinishing the head mating surface. The repair was very expensive, several thousand dollars. I've had the car back for a couple of weeks and the problem is gone. I was told this issue seems to happen around this amount of mileage and in cold weather states. Of course my warranty had expired 6 months earlier and I imagine this is the case with many other SAAB 9-3 owners with '07 and '08 vehicles. With the new parts, I was told I shouldn't run into this problem again.

While driving a normal highway speed, the check engine light came on and stayed on. This is the 4th time since November 2012. For the first two times, the dealer replaced the fuel pump. The last time they were not able to diagnose or find a problem. Today, I am told that I need all 6 ignition coils replaced as well as all 6 spark plugs. I don't think this is necessary and that the dealer just wants to make some money. The car shudders and vibrates like crazy, even at idle but this is worse when accelerating. Also, the power is much lower than normal. Has anyone with this model had a similar experience or problem?.

The problem of a cold start rough idle initially started last year around February 2013. The check engine light did come on every so often and would eventually reset itself. I had the code checked out, and I was told it was misfiring of the spark plugs. I had the spark plugs replaced, but unfortunately this did not solve the problem. I did not have the car looked at again till this year, February 2014, as I wanted to make sure I didn't have bad gas, or it wasn't carbon buildup in the engine. After informing the dealer of the problem I was having, they suggested I leave it overnight so they could test it out the next morning. That morning they called and told me the problem was with the intake valves going bad. They are in the process of ordering the parts and I will have the work completed in March 2014. I have contacted SAAB parts north America to see if they would be willing to help in anyway since my car was just out of warranty, and I was told they would not and that gm probably wouldn't either due to the bankruptcy. I will be attempting to call gm and see if they are willing to help in anyway since my vehicle was manufactured while SAAB was still owned by gm. I have also found out at SAAB central forums there are numerous owners of the 07-11 years that are experiencing the same problem at about the same mileage. I have also learned there is a spna bulletin that has been sent to dealers, so they know about this problem and have chosen not to stand behind their product by issuing a recall.

While accelerating on a freeway on ramp, the engine began to misfire and stutter. Trying to merge with the flow of traffic, power was unavailable. The engine operated normally when not accelerating. The car was unable to keep up with the flow of traffic and would only maintain a speed of approximately 50 mph. Pressing the accelerator more causes more stuttering. The check engine light flashed on briefly and then went away. The problem resolved itself after pulling over and shutting down and restarting the engine. The problem occurred again the next day under the same conditions. . . Normal operating temperature and moderate to heavy engine load for accelerating. Took the car to dealer who replaced the coil pack for cylinder #6. The problem was resolved, but there are still occasional stutters, just not constant stutters that caused the loss of power. I have researched this issue on message boards and the problem is not unique to my car. Many others have had issues with the coil packs and some reporting the same cylinder #6.

2008 SAAB 9-3 turbo x. I had a engine misfire with flashing check engine light under heavy acceleration. Caused the car to run really rough with reduced power. Would have been very unsafe had it happened while passing someone. Took to the dealership and it was diagnosed as a bad ignition coil. One coil was replaced but the car still was running rough at the dealership so they are still trying to fix it. From researching online, it seems to be a problem with 2008 SAAB turbo x. Lots of complaints on faulty ignition coils.

The contact owns a 2001 SAAB 9-3. While driving 70 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The contact drove to the dealer and they stated that the ignition cassette failed. She then found a recall on her vehicle for the same failure her vehicle was experiencing; however, the dealer stated that her VIN was not included. The contact believes that her vehicle should be included in the recall because it is experiencing the same failure. The recall number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 82,347. Updated 05/20/08. The door handle was replaced. Updated 05/20/08.

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This is the sixth failure on the engine. My wife was in maryland when the check engine light came on (this is not the 1st time). The vehicle was towed an hour away in baltimore. The throttle body failed, it was repaired and then she had to get her own ride to the dealer (we are from ohio). This started happening after the engine was using a tremendous amount of oil. There was a recall because the factory aligned all the ring gaps in the same direction. After the engine was torn down and repaired the check engine light kicks on every 400 to 1000 miles. They have replaced the rings, computer, throttle body twice, air box and other smaller items. By the way each time this happens the engine goes into limp mode and doesn't go above thirty miles an hour. This is real safe at highway speeds.

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Car taken to dealer twice because "check engine light" on intermittently; told there were "no problems" and instructed on how to clear message. "check engine light" and "oil" light began to flicker intermittently; taken to 2 independent mechanics for check; both stated there was oil in the pan, oil in the engine, no obvious problem. "check engine" and "oil" lights came on and stayed on; car began making noise. Pulled over and had towed to independent mechanic who stated bearings were shot and new engine needed. SAAB USA has persisted in denying culpability despite letter and mechanic's statement. Told me car was under warranty resulting in towing from independent shop to dealer; dealer then said car was not under warranty. Bbb complaint filed; now SAAB USA insists engine must be torn down to diagnose problem and I must accept risk that if the problem is not theirs, I will owe $1500 for tear-down; dealer wants storage charges. Car out of service now 43 days and counting.

: the contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 45-50 mph on a snow covered highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the recognition cassette module failed. The dealership was not notified. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated at the time of the incident. Updated 11/3/2006 - on 11/24/05 the vehicle's direct ignition cassette failed without warning which caused the vehicle to stall while being driven in the snow. After replacement of the direct ignition cassette the repair facility also had to replace two oxygen sensors and the catalytic converter. The technician said it was possible that raw fuel damaged the catalytic converter during the initial failure of the direct ignition cassette.

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Dec. 10, 2005 while driving on the PA turnpike oil light came on then went off. Oil light came on again car lost all power. SAAB towing left us on busy turnpike for 2 1/2 hours in freezing cold. Towed to purchase dealer was told needs new engine it through a rod. After 2 months of no help form dealer or SAAB took to independent SAAB mechanic. Was told bent rod or crank shaft from sludge build up need small block engine. 7 months and SAAB wants to only give $500 towards repair dealer charging $6,000. SAAB is aware of sludge problem in these engines (see web on consumer reports and center for auto safety) yet, won't stand by their word to extend warranty 8 years unlimited miles. We have complained to dealer since purchase about engine light being on and stalling. No issues found by them. Idm was replaced 2 months prior to this with engine light remaining on. No call back from dealer. Have received no help from SAAB or dealer, without it resulting in them making money off of us.

Owner was driving at approximately 65 mph the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled. Vehicle "b" rear ended owner's vehicle while being driven at 70 mph. Upon impact, the frontal air bags failed to deploy. Owner sustained injuries, was taken to the emergency room and released.

Over a span of two months, my 2003 SAAB 93 has had a vacuum pump replaced 3 times. On each occasion, the dealer, cherry hill classic cars, has advised me that the part is on back order, and that SAAB "must be having problems" with or, or that "sabb is redesigning" the part. After each time the dealer replaced the part, the check engine light comes on again. The first time this happened, the car would hesitate upon acceleration, or would "sputter". The dealership now claims that the system to which the valve is connected is "filling up with water". As I understand it, the valve recirculation engine exhaust to help the engine warm up and/or burn fuel more efficiently. SAAB customer service, if you can call it that, was unaware of the problem. Customer service has no way of tracking the problem as "each dealer is independently owned". As a result, the dealer has had my car for almost a two month period, and the part is still on back order.

I purchased my SAAB 9-3 linear on 1/16/03, and within 2 months my check engine light started turning on, and stalled out 3 times. It has been in the shop over 11 times due to this problem and every time I have been told it is my gas cap, gas evap leak, or software updates. Mind you I am 6 months pregnant and the last stall out I was on a very busy street going 40mph (last month). They have replaced my gas cap too - saying this will solve the problem. I can never get a hold of any one at SAAB to discuss - so I have resulted to the lemon law. But in reality this is a critical problem that needs to be fixed as many people on this sight have escaped injury.

My SAAB 9-3 ss 2003 stalled today . Completely lost e power also couldnt turn steering wheel. Lucky not to get hit from behind since I was driving in a residential area . The car started after I turned it back on ,there was no error messages,only the engine light came on while the problem happened. An occurance like this in the freeway would have been catastrophic . From various internet forums I have read owners of the same type of vehicle having similiar problem. Nhtsa will need to take action to prevent injuries or even fatalities in the future.

My brand new 2003 SAAB 9-3 with 1100 miles on it, failed me. I was in the middle of making a right turn in rush hour traffic, and my engine quit - the engine light came on, power steering and power brakes were off so it made the car incredibly heavy to turn. I was able to coast into a parking lot without getting hit, but it was still terrifying. I turned the key off, and started the car right back up, drove it to the dealership a mile away where it's been awaiting a "software upgrade" for 5 days. . Read more...