2006 Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 2006

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2006 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area

Engine (25%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (1%)

Brakes and Traction Control (4%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)

Other (12%)

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Chart based on 387 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2006 Saab 9-3.

2006 Saab 9-3 body repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (0%)

$500 - $999 (3%)

$100 - $499 (14%)

< $100 (80%)

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Chart based on 35 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

49000 mi

US $600
(both) rear door's upper interior window sill would sag down showing metal frame. This is due to the weak 2-way tape holding it up against the frame. Florida heat may have something to do with it but should be addressed. Dealer replaced. SAAB emblem peels off. This is the third time (between front and back). Dealer replaced. I am not sure Saab has yet addressed. interior front door handle (covers) show slight wear discoloration. Dealer replaced under warranty. I hadn't even noticed. rattle coming from dashboard (around front speaker). Speaker harness was loose. Mechanic attached, added insulation and rattle disappeared. Fixed 
15000 mi Part of the trim around the door was sagging. (And had been since delivery.) They fixed it. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD

20000 mi Hood emblem peeled off. 
35000 mi Peeling soft touch finish on glovebox decor. 
4000 mi Rattle in the sunroof. Trimpiece had come loose. Reattached, issue fixed. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

31000 mi Rattle from vehicle headliner when going over rough roads. 
47000 mi Broken console cupholder. Parts ordered under warranty. 
47000 mi Parts received, broken console cupholder replaced. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

165000 mi

US $200
Front passenger side wheel well liner was loose and rubbing tire when turning. 
35000 mi Rattle, RPM dependent. Rattle, RPM dependent. 
29000 mi The driver's side seat manual lumbar adjustment stopped working. The knob spun freely without adjusting lumbar which was stuck in the pushed in position. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

28000 mi SAAB trunk emblem was pealed. Dealer repaired under warranty. Dealer did a great job! 
32000 mi Rattle in dash. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD

91700 mi Transmission stick shift boot coming apart 
94500 mi Replaced shifter knob 
2000 mi Rattle in the passenger door ; also was in for a Tech II personalization Door seal not flat 
7000 mi Replaced airvent due to rattle. Also tried to "tighten" up B pillar rattle. Rattles less noticable but still very present. Window seal was defective and bending away from the window. The seal was replaced a second time. 
14000 mi Rattles in dash and door buzzing on rough roads. Fading door panels. 
29000 mi Rear window interior felt/seal bent/malformed during regulator repair. Part ordered. 
30000 mi Rear window interior felt/seal bent/malformed during regulator repair was replaced. 
26000 mi SEAL ON LEFTHEADLIGHT DEFECTIVE, LEADING TO FOGGING INSIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. Trim/bezel surround on dash replaced. Had come loose on drivers side. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

112000 mi

US $75
The left rear taillight cover fell off. The whole assembly was replaced with a used part. 
130000 mi

US $30
Replaced trunk seal. 
111000 mi

US $200
Driver's left bolster ripped. Needed to be replaced. Was replaced and looks like new. 
15000 mi This car has a lot of noises coming from the window seals oh the driver side and in the sunroof. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

33000 mi Dealer replaced seat cover due to split/crack in side bolster. 
27000 mi SAAB emblem on hood need replacement, the insert with the logo fell out. 
17360 mi Rattles and creaks in door panels and roof. Rattles still not repaired, I have since done light repairs myself and have eleminated most of the rattles, but some persist. Such a shame in a luxury car, just not acceptable. My dealer rating in service is 2/10... 
19840 mi

C $2500
Door rattles, blown speaker 
29760 mi Door rattles are substaintially better, but sunroof rattles still persist. From the three visits to the dealer to have this resolved, this is by far the best fix they have done yet. I could live with it now. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD

33000 mi Driver's seat stitching came loose. Seat cover replaced. 
45200 mi

US $200
Headlamp washer unit missing and had to be replaced. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

130000 mi

US $30
Driver side mirror fell off. Removed mirror backing, replaced mirror glass, reinstalled mirror. 
139000 mi

US $25
Water soaks into convertible top fabric, then migrates to inside of weatherstripping over door. When door is opened (driver or passenger) water pours out of weatherstrip onto seats. Cleaned and treated top with 303 Convertible Top Care Kit 
146000 mi

US $150
Driver seat upholstery was worn and tearing at the seams. Replaced upholstery with OEM. 
180000 mi

US $300
Convertible top hydraulic cylinder was leaking at seal. Replaced with rebuilt unit. 

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2006 Saab 9-3 Body Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2006 Saab 9-3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.