Front Suspension Coil Spring Problems of SAAB 9-3 - part 2

The front driver coil spring broke and the broken end of the coil was pressed against the side wall of the tire. When the tire was removed a 1/4" deep gouge was observed in the side wall. This incident happened while parked, I noticed a loud bang and a strange noise while the vehicle was moving. I immediately removed the tire to check for problems and found the broken spring and gouge. If this occured on the highway (my commute is app 80 miles round trip) it could have easily punctured the tire and caused a more serious problem. Or left me stranded in an unsafe location.

See all problems of the 2006 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

Broken front coil springs caused the vehicle to be unsafe to operate. Both left and right springs are broken with spring material extending towards the tire. Will require tow for service. Tire failure is likely if driven.

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

The contact owns a 2007 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated the left driver side front coil spring broke. While driving 35 mph the contact heard a little rattling and took the vehicle to a local mechanic who gave him an estimate of $697 to replace the front and rear coil springs. He took the vehicle to the dealer and was awaiting for a response from the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and wanted to run a diagnostic test for $95 to inform him of what the failure was. A claim#71-944081240 was filed with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 51,700. Updated 05/25/11 the dealer covered the cost of the repair. Updated 06/06/11.

See all problems of the 2007 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

I have a 2005 SAAB 9-3 that became undriveable after the front left coils/springs broke, puncturing the front driver's side tire. The car was in motion when a popping sound was heard, followed by grinding and a burning rubber smell. At that point the car was not able to be driven. It was towed to a local repair shop and then to a SAAB dealership to complete the repairs because there is a campaign out for this issue, but not a recall. The springs/colils were replaced for free but the tire cost was prorated and the car required an alignment after the repairs which was not covered in the cost. This car had been in the dealer service department 2 weeks prior to this failure and the coils/springs were specifically checked due to the campaign. The service department determined that the parts did not show any sign of damage and so were not replaced. Both tow truck drivers and the repair shop owner commented that I was lucky that this did not happen on the highway, considering how quickly it rendered the car undriveable and what could have happened had I been going at a fast rate of speed, surrounded by other cars. I am shocked that this issue is not a recall as it is a huge safety risk.

See all problems of the 2005 SAAB 9-3 🔎.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. While driving approximately 55 mph the front passenger side tire blew out. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technicians stated the front passenger side coil spring needed to be replaced. The contact decided to replace both front driver and passenger side coil springs. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer issued an extended warranty for the failure but the vehicle was not covered under the warranty due to the mileage. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 05/18/11.

I have a 2006 SAAB convertible. I left to go to work this morning and there was a horrible noise in the front. I drive the interstate part way to work and the noise seemed to lessen. When I got off the interstate and came to a stop light the noise was extremely loud. I turned around and took my care to the dealership where I had purchased this vehicle. I found out that both of the front coil springs had fractured and one was stuck in my passenger side tire. The tire on the inside had been cut all the way around the wheel. I was told that the service people could not believe that I did not get in an accident. I had to investigate this issue with SAAB's on the internet in order to find that it was a problem. I then called SAAB dealership (the only one in the area) 30 miles away and found out that there is a problem with the coils breaking. I now have to have my car towed all that way and they are not sure if SAAB is going to cover a rental car fore me. I have to be able to get to work and now will have to be out the expense of a rental car. SAAB should cover all of my expenses. This is a problem that should be on the recall list and not put people in such danger when SAAB is aware of this issue. I have always told everyone how much I love my SAAB and they would love one too. Now I am afraid to drive this car when it is fixed, because I don't trust that there isn't something else wrong that could cause an accident.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. While driving at approximately 2 mph, the contact heard a loud pop noise from the front end of the vehicle. After driving half a mile at approximately 30 mph, he heard another loud pop and the front passenger tire blew out. The tire was replaced with a spare and contact drove to a repair center where he was informed the front passenger side coil spring broke and pierced the tire. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the failure was a known issue that was being serviced on a case by case basis. The VIN was not available. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000.

This is on a 2003 SAAB 9-3 2. 0t linear model. There were no injuries this time but the potential is very much there. My wife was pulling out from a stop light and hear a loud pop followed by a loud grinding noise. She pulled off immediately. When I arrived on scene, I found that the drivers front wheel was pushed up into the wheel well. When I removed the tire I found that the spring had broken in two (the bottom last ring broke off) and had dropped down to where the jagged end (still attached/wrapped around the shock) was poking into the tire. It had left a relatively deep gouge all the way around the tire. I am sure I don't have to explain to you what could happen if the spring were to break on the interstate at 70mph and puncture the tire. I am quite certain that if my wife would have kept driving any distance that the spring would have dug its way through the side wall and punctured it. Remember, we cant always just pull off the interstate or stop at the drop of a hat. If you have ever driven through atlanta you will know this to be true ;) anyway, went digging on the internet trying to purchase replacement springs and found out that SAAB had issued a special warranty for spring failures on some of the 9-3's (including mine). Apparently,SAAB is aware that road debris can get jammed in the spring mount and eat at the coating away on the bottom coil and allow corrosion to work its magic resulting in the springs breaking/failing. So, I call SAAB. They tell me that I am not covered because I do not live in what they consider to be the snow belt. Which is the upper/more northern states. They tell me that the failure has been reported more in these states and it is due to road salting. Furthermore, I am told that they are only replacing the springs after they have failed. As these cars start to get some age on them, I think we are going to start seeing more and more of these failures. Will it take someone dying for them to issue a recall campaign?.

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

2004 SAAB 9-3 front right spring coil failure. No warning prior to defect. Loud noise in wheel well first/only sign upon starting car and pulling out of driveway. Returned home immediately and made appointment with independent mechanic. Drove approx. 2 miles to mechanic who diagnosed front right suspension spring coil fractured/broken. Made appointment with SAAB dealer who assured me it was safe to drive car to dealer. Drove approx. 1. 5m when broken coil spring punctured tire resulting in blown-out tire. SAAB towed car, replaced both front spring coils and tire at no change.

My front driver side coil has snapped and I've found out this is a recurring issue from SAAB. This is quite a dangerous situation. I've not seen any letter warning us of this potential danger.

Premature fatigue failure of coil spring on driver's front macpherson strut. Failure caught before tire puncture incident. Fracture occurred on bottom coil. Vehicle: SAAB 9-3 2. 0t year: 2006 mileage: 38000 miles awaiting dealer repair.

Front coil spring has broken.

Left front spring failure. There was an erratic occasional metal to metal noise coming from the under the hood. There was no indication of the spring being broken. Took car to service center and discovered spring failure. Upon further inquiry with SAAB dealer discovered this is a recurring problem. Had car repaired and parts replaced with new redesigned springs to correct defect. Old parts not available. Why hasn't a recall been issued? why hasn't a warning been sent out to SAAB owners? we own a second SAAB 9-3 and I am concerned about front spring failure on this car!.

The problem apparently occurred while driving down the freeway. I heard a loud "clunk" that sounded like I had hit something but there was nothing in the road. Following that, every time I would drive over an irregularity in the road I would hear a "clunk" in the front passenger side. I took it to a local shop to find out what was making the noise and they discovered the broken right front coil spring. The sharp broken end was very close to rotating into the side of the tire which would have been catastrophic. I have the broken piece of the spring. I have also learned that this is a disturbingly common problem with this model of SAAB as I ran across a web site with many SAAB 9-3 owners that have experienced the same thing at roughly the same mileage I have which is 49700. My four year, 50,000 mile warranty recently expired. I just found out about the broken spring yesterday and have not yet had it repaired. I intend to contact the dealer tomorrow morning but I want your organization to be aware of this dangerous defect.

Heard a loud noise while pulling out of the parking lot; soon after, there was a rubber(tire) burning smell and vibration on the front right side. The coil spring snapped and was pressing against the tire and rim. Had the car towed to the mechanic. Changed both front coil springs. Mileage on the car-44,000.

Coil springs on my 2006 SAAB 9-3 with 35500 miles broke. It rubbed on my front right tire which may need to be replaced.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. The left coil spring fractured and then punctured a whole in his driver side front tire. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer nor has the manufacturer been contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN number was unknown.

2005 SAAB 93 - front passenger coil broke and dug into tire. No warning indicated such as strange sounds or car handling differently. Just suddenly broke near bottom of coil and the broken end of the coil dug into the tire. The tire has an indentation the goes completely around the inside. Tire is damaged/dangerous now and needs to be replaced also. Was driving slowly at the time so no personal injury.

Driver side front coil spring "broke" while driving my 2004 SAAB 9-3 on the highway at over 50 mph. Caused significant strut damage and rattling over the next few days as I was working to schedule in a mechanic visit. They finally quoted me $930 in repairs to replace both front springs, struts and to perform an alignment. Apparently, a lot of other Saabs of the same model has had this issue arise for them, I think the springs should be recalled. It is a significant safety issue.

My 2005 SAAB 93 44,500 miles. While driving to work on a six lane divided highway (i495) in the right travel lane the right front coil spring broke and shred the tire causing a blow out. The driver had never before experienced a tire blow out and was startled and jerked the steering wheel to the left in a moment of panic and the car began to slide sideways while scrubbing off speed. The car remained mostly in the right travel lane. There wasn't much traffic on the road at 5am and the car did not hit any other vehicles or objects. The driver regained control of the vehicle and pulled off the right shoulder of the road and got out of the vehicle to examine the damage. The right front tire was flat so the driver jacked the car up and removed the tire. Immediately apparent was the broken coil spring. The driver did not want to spend the money for a tow truck. Instead, the driver decided to install the temporary space saver spare tire and limp the car home by driving on the shoulder for about 10 minutes at 30mph with the hazard warning lights flashing. The car was parked in the driveway and another vehicle was driven to work. Later a mechanic was hired to repair the vehicle where it was parked in the owner's driveway. Both front coil springs and the damaged tire were replaced at a total cost of approximately $600.

Coil spring on front right tire of 2004 SAAB 9-3 broke. Shredded tire.

Front spring coil is broke. During oil change, dealer checked and found a piece of the coil missing. I would like SAAB to reimburse for this $400+ repair job.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. While the contact was examining the vehicle she noticed that the front driver side coil spring snapped and punctured the front driver side tire. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 45000.

Front coil spring fracture.

2005 SAAB 9-3 arc sedan front coil spring fractured. Broken spring contacted tire side wall and caused irreparable damage.

Left front suspension coil spring broken.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. When the contact released the seat belt, the mechanism on the door post made a loud noise and the seat belt failed. The dealer advised her to call the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer advised her to not drive the vehicle. The contact would have to pay for the repairs and then have the dealer inspect the vehicle. The dealer stated that the seat belt failed and would cost $400 to repair. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number 04v226000 (seat belts:front:retractor); however, the dealer stated that this recall does not exist. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 49,200. Updated 08/04/09 the right front coil spring was broken. Updated 08/10/09.

The contact owns a 2003 SAAB 9-3. While the contact was examining his vehicle, he noticed that the front driver's side coil spring split in half. Prior to the failure, he noticed that the steering had become slightly difficult to turn. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 60,200. Updated 08/04/09 the dealer repaired the vehicle as a goodwill gesture. Updated 08/06/09.

My 2003 SAAB 93 vector had the front passenger coil spring broke, im still driving on it with the parts on order. Seems to be a common problem with many other peoples Saabs. And sounds like their will be no help from the dealer. I am assuming its going to take a fatality or 2 before SAAB wakes up and makes some better springs or just recall the !@#$% things.

My 2003 SAAB 9-3 linear with 79,500 miles. Driving on average road when hearing a pop. After further investigation (as rattling continued for some time afterwards) the front, driver-side coil spring has broken. While the piece has not (yet) popped out into my tire, any further driving risks doing so and bursting a tire as well. Am waiting for SAAB dealership to order this part. This seems to be a common problem, as indicated by many online forums and your website. . Read more...

Both front coil springs were broken when the car went in for inspection. Each of the front springs had approximately 3-4 inch long piece broken off where it meets the bottom retainer. Awaiting word from SAAB to see if they are going to cover the repair.

The contact owns a 2004 SAAB 9-3. While driving between 30-35 mph, the contact heard a strange noise underneath the vehicle. The noise was first noticed two weeks ago. He jacked up the vehicle and noticed that the coil spring failed. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because a crash could have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 24,500.

No accident or anything yet, but according to a forum I follow, {SAAB central} there are alot of people experiencing front coil spring failure on 2003 SAAB 9-3. This on cars with under 100,000 miles. Don't have to tell you that this could be bad news if the broken spring punched into the tire at speed. To me, having to replace coil springs as a maintenance item every 70000 miles is unacceptable. I will have my 03 SAAB up on jack stands to check out the springs as best as I can, but this is the type of failure you can not really see until it is to late. I have no way of checking for metal fatigue. Hopefully, this is a problem you can move on before someone gets hurt.

Passenger side front coil spring cracked and broke approx. 4-5 inches from strut mount. This caused the coil to bounce against the strut.

Front coil spring brakes and the broken piece launches off the car into the wheel well area which may result in tire damage at high speeds.