Suspension Noise Problems of SAAB 9-3

Driver side (left) suspension coil spring broke. It has rusted through approx. 2 inches from the top. It broke going through moderately uneven roads, without hitting any major potholes. Broken spring could have sliced the front tire open and caused a high speed accident. Was barely holding together at the time of replacement. Found out when started to hear clunking sounds, but could have happened at higher speed with worse consequences.

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

I have also been having issues with the front passenger side suspension. I would have to check my records, but I believe it started when the car had about 25k miles on it. The springs are still in tact, but I would notice a very loud creaking noise going over speed bumps in parking lots, especially in cold temperatures. I brought it to the attention of the dealership while it was still under warranty and they did not offer any resolution. After reading the large number of complaints of broken springs, I now know why I am afraid to drive this car on the freeway. I would really like to get this fixed under a recall before it causes an accident and someone gets seriously injured or killed.

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

The contact owns a 2007 SAAB 9-3. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, a loud noise was heard from the front end of vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the springs were broken. The springs, bearings and front end suspension was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 53,804.

Since I bought my car (new) in June '05 I have complained of a "crunching noise" in the front suspension every time the weather turned cold. I was told the problems varied from ball bearings to the sway bar, to just dirt build up. Each time the dealer made some "repair" to get me out the door. The problem continued. Now, April '11 I have a broken spring in the front passenger side. I have been told that I have to pay the dealer to diagnose the problem before they will consider fixing it under any special circumstance free of charge. I have sourced some parts for it and am considering having it fixed by myself, rather than go to the dealer who brushed me off for 5 years. Thankfully I was just pulling out of my parking spot when I heard the grinding noise from the front passenger side and I was not traveling at a high rate of speed when this happened. The spring broke downward and was very near the tire. There could have been a serious tire blowout on the highway had I not been so lucky.

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

Normal driving. Bottom six inches of front right strut coil spring just broke. I have never seen a coil spring just break before. This part is still on the car and I have the broken six inch semi-circular piece. It took almost three months before I discovered where a clicking sound was coming from in the front right suspension.

With a little over 50,000 miles an odd noise started in the front suspension. A couple of months after this clunking noise began I made an appointment at a SAAB dealer and it was diagnosed as a broken spring. I had both springs replaced (the right front was broken) as a precaution, because I have learned that this is a common problem for newer SAAB 9-3's. Although I was able to drive the vehicle with the broken spring, a spring failure of this nature could cause catastrophic failure of the tire, hence the safety concern. The frequency of broken springs in this model of car leads me to conclude that a recall is in order.