Engine Cooling System Problems of SAAB 9-3

SAAB 9-3 owners have reported 10 problems related to engine cooling system (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of SAAB 9-3 based on all problems reported for the 9-3.

1 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 09/17/2010

1. Normal driving leads to issue. 2. Low oil indicator illuminates when driving for more than 1 hour at highway speed. 3. Nothing done to correct issue, dealership says SAAB is aware of the issue, but no corrective action has been taken.

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2 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2003 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 07/01/2010

The contact owns a 2003 SAAB 9-3. The contact started the ignition and applied pressure to the accelerator pedal, followed by an extremely slow delayed response. The vehicle traveled approximately 10 mph. The failure occurred intermittent which progressed to an engine stall. However, the vehicle would restart after stalling. There was a recall under the NHTSA campaign id number 04v540000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that the recall expired and were unable to honor the recall defect. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

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3 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2000 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 05/06/2009

SAAB 2000 9-3 turbo continued to be plagued with no start problems (recalled item repaired by SAAB dealership. Oil sludge as a result of problems related to recall caused engine/turbo to fail at 94,000 on interstate highway. Car has been towed to mechanic. Service at dealership is documented and should have prevented this type of engine. Turbo failure.

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4 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 11/24/2008

For the second time in 24 hours the coolant tank has failed. This time it required the car to be towed back to the dealer for repairs. Tank leaked all the coolant from the system due to tank failure.

5 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 11/21/2008

Major leakage from coolant expansion tank. SAAB dealer reported the tank had cracked and required replacing. Tank replaced. Service mgr stated that SAAB has an issue with these tanks on the 2. 8 v6 turbo engines.

6 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 05/14/2008

The coolant system tank ruptured spraying engine coolant over turbo and engine. The coolant tank has been replaced 2 times in the past 9 months. It is currently at the dealership awaiting a new coolant tank.

7 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 08/29/2007

In August 2007, we had to have our 2006 SAAB 9-3 sportcombi towed to the dealership, as the coolant expansion tank ruptured while on the highway and all the coolant had leaked from the engine. The coolant expansion tank was replaced under warranty. In October 2008, we again experienced problems with the coolant expansion tank leaking and again had to have it replaced at a cost of $389. 32 plus the cost of a rental car, as the parts were not immediately available. My understanding is that a technical service bulletin has been issued by SAAB regarding this recurring problem with the turbo v-6 engine, as the turbocharger is located too close to the expansion tank. I do not feel that it is reasonable to have to replace the coolant expansion tank twice within a 14 month period on a car that is less than 3 years old. I filed a claim with SAAB customer service and they responded that since it had been more than one year since the parts had been replaced, and the car was no longer covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty, they would not take any action. Also, the original repairs were made at a dealership that has since closed and consolidated at a second dealership that is some distance away (in santa clara, California). The dealership in san francisco says that the repairs in SAAB's system indicate that only the coolant expansion tank cap was replaced the first time, which does not agree with the invoice that I have. In summary, I believe that there is a faulty design involved, and that the manufacturer should cover the cost of the repairs, not us. I am concerned regarding the reliability of the car, and should we continue to experience problems with the coolant system, we will have to replace the vehicle.

8 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2004 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 03/15/2007

Cooling system . . Although the car does not "over heat" the antifreeze is spilling out. This has been happening for a few months and I always considered this to be a problem of other cars since my car is relatively new. The other day the car indicated that the coolant was low.

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9 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2006 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 09/19/2006

The contact owns a 2006 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that every four months and approximately 30 miles, the coolant reservoir cracks, which causes leakage onto the engine. As a result, a fire erupts under the hood. The failure was noticed while driving 30 mph. The current mileage was 12,500 and failure mileage was 4,000.

10 Engine Cooling System problem of the 2003 SAAB 9-3

Failure Date: 01/15/2003

I have has 2 Saabs in the last 6 months due to the electrical system failing constantly and the engine stalling. After 3 months of inconvenience and arguments SAAB gave me another car. Now with 3800 miles the car completely dropped dead on me as I was driving on the expressway at 55 mph. It was -40 degrees and it took roadside assistance 2. 5 hours to get me. SAAB headquarters was nothing but useless after driving around in a two truck for 8 hours since SAAB roadside and SAAB headquarters could not tell me where to take my car. I was towed from queens, to brooklyn, to manhattan and treated with no respect. I ended up getting extremely sick from sitting in the car waiting for roadside for 2. 5 hours. When I called SAAB they told me its the weather that caused my car to drop dead. I was never told that my car would be temp. Temperamental and I had to go to florida for the winter. This is why american car companies suck.



Safety Ratings of 9-3 Cars
Fuel Economy of 9-3 Vehicles
9-3 Service Bulletins
9-3 Safety Recalls
9-3 Defect Investigations