| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area
Engine (32%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)
Brakes and Traction Control (5%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (28%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (9%)
Other (7%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 1972 repairs.
Saab 9-3 brake repair cost distribution
$2500+ (0%)
$1000 - $2499 (11%)
$500 - $999 (22%)
$100 - $499 (33%)
< $100 (33%)
Chart based on 96 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2011 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 9800 mi US $770 |
Stability Control Failure and Cornering Headlights Malfunction displayed on SID. Took car to dealership. Problem was with Steering Angle Sensor. Had to replace entire Column Integration Module. |
2010 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 90000 mi | vacuum pump was leaking |
2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual AWD
| 8000 mi | replaced power steering hose |
2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 67000 mi | car making rubbing sound when braking. thought might have been the brake pads, but not. dealer added lubricant to corroded calipers. car still making sound, but have been advised not an issue. should resolve when pads/parts replaced. |
| 75300 mi US $105 |
New brakes from April had failed due to faulty parts or faulty installation. Caused issues with ride quality and brake line. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 49000 mi US $670 |
Four wheel brake job including rotors and pads. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual AWD
| 78000 mi US $480 |
New rear brake rotors and pads. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 134540 mi C $10 |
ABS/TCS/TC lights on dash. Wiring to hub was frayed. Spliced. Reconnected and insulated wires. Lights went out. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 167400 mi C $290 |
Parking brake cable replaced, was stiff/getting stuck because of rust |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 100220 mi C $592 |
Rear brakes. New calipers, rotors and pads. |
| 137640 mi C $200 |
Rear brake job, normal wear. Replacement of rotors and pads. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 36000 mi US $600 |
Break assist was not working when car was started after no usage for over 8 hours. Pedal was very firm until pressure would return. This would take about 30 - 45 seconds after start of car and pumping of firm break. |
| 37900 mi | Same issue I reported in October with braking. Lack of vacuum pressure after starting car leading to a very stiff pedal for 45 seconds. Part was finally available from Dealership - previous fix was temporary part replacement at independent. |
| 42600 mi US $500 |
Same brake problem as before. Valve for power assist seems to be sticking when car sits in sun and gets hot. Car did not stop and was driven into curb, damaging front fascia. |
| 44000 mi | Lack of vacuum on brakes at start - very intermittent. Could not duplicate problem for last 5 months. Perhaps problem resolved itself. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual AWD
| 34000 mi £310 |
Failed UK MOT test on performance of rear brake callipers requiring replacement. |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 70000 mi | Steering lock failed as well as another computer module |
2008 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 124000 mi US $1000 |
Replace rear left caliper - parking brake was sticking. Do full brake job - rotors, pads, and fluid flush. Max Brakes (maxbrakes.com) has excellent brakes for this car and you can special order their Elite performance rotors and Carbon Metallic pads for amazing stopping power. |
2008 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 39680 mi C $588 |
Replace rear brake rotors and pads |
2008 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 51000 mi US $151 |
Replace plastic pipes for brake booster feed |
| 60000 mi US $275 |
Bad brake vac hose going to vac pump. GM says all 6 cyl saabs 207 and newer will have this hose fail. braking reduced by 40 percent. Took over 3 weeks to find a new one, 300 mi away. |
| 73800 mi US $725 |
Elect vac booster pump. This pump is taken out when the vac line to the pump ( with elect check valves ) fails. GM admitts that all the vac lines will fail with in 4 - 5 yrs. info on web. only on 2007 and later 6 cyl cars. Still love car. |
| 21080 mi | Brakes not engaging on cold start for the first 100 feet or so; would have trouble for a week or so and then disappear for months. After various tests, dealer found booster check valve was not always sealing properly-will be fixed free. |
2008 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 80000 mi US $175 |
Vacuum booster was leaking vacuum and causing engine to idle poorly when started cold. May or may not be contributing to overall engine performance. Brakes were hard to apply sometimes. Replaced vacuum booster. |
2008 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 58000 mi US $1400 |
Replaced steering position sensor |
2007 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 53000 mi US $440 |
Brake vacuum pump leaking, seals integrated, so pump was replaced |
2007 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 130200 mi C $100 |
New brake pads all around |
2007 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 12000 mi | Brake pedal was very soft and sank to floor on hard stops, resulting in excessive stopping distances. According to work order the main hydraulic brake unit was replaced. |
| 90800 mi US $600 |
Brake pedal had excessive travel and felt soft. Mechanic replaced front pads and rotors and greased all pistons in calipers to remedy a sticking rear caliper. |
| 30300 mi | Stability Control Failure Message- Replaced CIM Tech noticed Electric Vacuum Pump In-op- Replaced |
2007 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 58280 mi C $225 |
Rear brake caliper stuck. Changed both sides rear pads and rotor. Also changed the driver side caliper. |
| 107000 mi US $565 |
Remove and replace rear brake pads. Brake fluid flushed. |
2007 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 59000 mi US $1800 |
Error in traction control computer, need to replace cim module, the main module of the car. |
2007 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 36000 mi | Traction control sensor acted up, replaced. |
2007 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 103000 mi US $1597 |
Replaced leaky brake vacuum pump |
| 124694 mi US $800 |
Replace rear brake rotors and pads |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 140000 mi US $200 |
Brake line failed and replaced |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 71000 mi US $105 |
Right-rear caliper was sticking causing excessive drag. Replaced caliper with a remanufactured one. |
| 152900 mi US $1100 |
Rear brake job. Right rear brake caliper found to be defective, causing excessive and uneven wear and was replaced. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 82800 mi C $1200 |
Replaced front brake caliper, passenger side |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 32000 mi | Stability control error. |
| 58000 mi US $5 |
I have read other complaints and the heat from the engine could have caused the brake fluid cap to crack. Replaced cap for around $5. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 87000 mi US $300 |
Left rear caliper was seized requiring replacement |
| 100000 mi US $70 |
Adjust parking brake |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 33000 mi | Got a stability control failure message twice that went away an hour later each time. Dealership scanned for codes and determined that ABS hydraulic unit needed to be replaced due to a "pressure sensor rationality error". |
| 196000 mi US $200 |
One of the soft hydraulic lines began to bubble, necessitating replacement. I opted to replace all four soft brake lines as a precaution. |
| 213000 mi US $95 |
Parking brake actuator in pass side rear caliper failed, rendering parking brake inoperative. Normal hydraulic brakes were fully functional |
2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 97000 mi £165 |
Rear brake cylinder leaking |
2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 104000 mi US $55 |
Stability control failure message on dash display. Took to independent mechanic for diagnosis. Mechanic identified TSB suggesting need to reprogram traction control module, but does not have required equipment to perform said update. |
| 111200 mi US $1750 |
Traction control warning displayed on dash. Dealer diagnosed as faulty ABS module. Replaced module with new. |
2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 27760 mi | Internal fault in right rear caliper. Replaced rotor, caliper and pads under warranty. |
| 112000 mi | Caliper piston stuck |
2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 90000 mi US $600 |
left front wheel speed sensor failed triggering abs, stability and traction control failure. Hit a minor bump in road |
| 134100 mi US $250 |
Driver side back caliper and pads/rotor all around |
| 143000 mi US $55 |
Rotors and pads replaced |
2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 121000 mi US $600 |
Wheel hub wiring problem. Should have cost 20 dollars but the incompitant mech told me it was the wheel hub |
| 80100 mi US $150 |
One of the ABS speed sensor wiring harnesses had failed. Easy fix, pricey part (for a bundle of wires). |
2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 155200 mi US $149 |
Brake booster oil seal was leaking. I had the area cleaned and a new seal installed. |
| 188000 mi US $1500 |
stuck caliper-left rear, replaced caliper, new rear pads and rotors-left and right |
2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 97340 mi C $300 |
replaced one front rotor and both front brake hoses |
| 100440 mi C $800 |
new rear caliper, pads, and rotors |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 45000 mi | Tightened loose brake caliper. |
| 119000 mi | ABS failure half mile after picking car up from shop; decided to sell car. |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 89280 mi C $2000 |
ABS lights, traction control lights came on. speed sensor. |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 35000 mi | Rear calipers siezed |
| 176500 mi US $900 |
4 brake pads and rotors replaced. Back right caliper seazed and replaced. |
| 143000 mi US $26 |
Brake fluid reservoir tank cap had cracked. |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 31509 mi | Stability failure message intermitently alerts visit dealer, ESP- CIM C0544-00 Angle Sensor internal fault, R and R no charge last month of factory warranty |
2004 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 65720 mi C $200 |
Car had noise from uneven pavement cause by loose brake pads. Re-fitted the pads. |
| 57000 mi US $1297 |
Also yaw rate sensor. What an ordeal. Fortunately Saab paid half of total cost. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 122700 mi US $200 |
Bad caliper |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 73000 mi US $300 |
passenger side, rear caliper seized, locking that wheel |
| 112000 mi US $180 |
replace one rear caliper and rotor. replace pads, both sides, rear. |
| 55180 mi C $100 |
Parking brake would not release. Wheels would not move, car needed to be towed to dealer. Dealer was able to release parking brake. There is a TSB on the parking brake release issue, dealer did not offer repair, said "try not to use it". |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 24200 mi | Brake booster vacuum recall. |
| 135800 mi | Had to replace rear brake pads and calipers, and turn the front rotors. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 26000 mi | traction control problem, front end noise, and saab emblems looked to be coming apart |
| 117800 mi C $500 |
While getting winter tires mounted, mechanic noted right rear brake caliper was frozen and had caused excessive wear to rotor. Had to replace both. |
2003 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 57000 mi US $250 |
speed sensor for abs was bad |
| 83000 mi US $1200 |
A seal was leaking somewhere in the system. Brakes wouldn't hold when first driving car. |
2002 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 76000 mi US $200 |
Soft/squishy brake pedal, poor stopping distance. Flushed and bled brake system. This improved pedal feel and greatly improved stopping distance. |
| 48360 mi C $400 |
Brake caliper. Sway bar link. |
| 67580 mi C $200 |
Replace parking brake cable |
| 107460 mi C $700 |
Rear rotors, pads and callipers replaced. |
2002 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 90000 mi US $550 |
The transmission switch...for starting...had to be replaced |
2002 Saab 9-3 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 160900 mi US $800 |
Rear calipers got stuck, needed to be replaced |
2002 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 174000 mi US $75 |
module quit working..found used one and replaced it....Speedo and odometer and cruise are working now. |
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 115200 mi | left rear brake caliper needed servicing, needed new rotors as well. |
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 170000 mi US $800 |
Replaced brake master cylinder. |
| 124820 mi C $150 |
Stocked rear calipers Parking brake rebuilt |
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 210000 mi US $75 |
ABS Module failed and needed to be rebuilt |
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 116000 mi US $200 |
neutral safety switch |
| 87000 mi | Diagnosed as master cylinder/booster failure. Ultimately a disconnected brake line (!) |
2000 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 125000 mi US $700 |
Routine brake replacement |
1999 Saab 9-3
Engine not specified
| 104600 mi US $5 |
1 brake seized and car couldn't move. Rather than towing to mechanic, I removed and lubricated caliper slide pins. Problem resolved in <1 hr for the cost of a tube of Sil-Glide. |
| 120260 mi C $700 |
The rear brake caliper broke and needed to be replaced. |
| 130000 mi US $60 |
Parking brake cable was sticking, so it had to be replaced. |
1999 Saab 9-3 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 162000 mi US $300 |
calipers for rear brakes ordered. not functioning properly |
| 258000 mi US $20 |
Replaced left rear brake caliper and brake line |
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