| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area
Engine (34%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (7%)
Brakes and Traction Control (3%)
Suspension and Steering (12%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (34%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (4%)
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 308 repairs.
2003 Saab 9-3 electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (17%)
$100 - $499 (34%)
< $100 (40%)
Chart based on 90 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Saab 9-3
Engine not specified
| 166000 mi | Autolocking door cylinder, Trunk latch not working Fuel pump sending unit not working (gas gauge doesn't work) |
| 50000 mi US $10 |
Told I needed to replace the Head light connectors. Cost $300.00. Bought connectors myself and repaired myself. Cost $10 |
| 51000 mi US $73 |
Check engine light comes up again. I don't know do I pay for it again or not. I will pick up my car tomorrow. Dealer told me that if those problem relate with previous, they will not charge it to me. But, if it is not related with same problem, they will |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 97000 mi US $100 |
Drivers side rear door actuator fault. |
| 68000 mi US $968 |
Cabin fan did not work Control unit was also burnt out. Replaced cabin fan motor, control unit, and air filter. Check operation everything was ok when done |
| 72000 mi US $288 |
Fixed driver’s side window(recalibrated) No A/C from center or right side. Turned out it needed a refrigerant dye and a recharge system. Right side front side marker out. Socket rotted. Replaced socket and bulb. Fixed passenger’s side window(recalibrated) |
| 80000 mi US $175 |
One of the A/C fans was making a noise as if a bearing was going unit. Then the A/C stopped blowing cold. Took it in quick fix was a re-charge. May need the whole A/C system to be replaced down the road, but works for now. |
| 81000 mi US $1426 |
Problem with A/C. Had Dye stick and Freon done to get a base line. New Expansion valve, AC evaporator, and seal ring. Also Dye Stick and Freon. Note there was a metal OEM piece part of the fire wall that rusted. Others will have the same issue. We still have water leaking in the car during a rain. |
| 109000 mi US $250 |
The headlights were unusually dim. One of the light bulbs was incorrectly installed and the wiring was discolored. The dealer replaced the wiring and bulbs. The lights are much better; although, I still wish that they were brighter. |
| 171000 mi US $30 |
Radio signal very weak, no stations being received clearly, FM or AM. Replace antenna amplifier with a used unit purchased on eBay. Repair not successful. |
| 173000 mi US $16 |
Passenger side low-beam bulb replaced. |
| 24272 mi | OnStar amp replaced |
| 24714 mi | Emergency brake handle replaced |
| 30972 mi | OnStar box replaced |
| 63000 mi US $500 |
Fuel tank level sender replaced |
| 77800 mi US $200 |
Window regulator was broken Head Lights, Fog Lights Window regulator was broken |
| 89000 mi US $440 |
Replaced amp under the drivers seat |
| 69000 mi US $310 |
Driver side window regulator did not work. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 119000 mi | headlight went out. |
| 120700 mi US $90 |
Recharge A/C. No leak found? |
| 91000 mi | passenger side door has no power. window, lock and mirror not working. disconnected and reconnected battery to clear error. also cleared immobilizer failure error. |
| 66654 mi $70 |
cd player parts |
| 76260 mi | rear right window motor |
| 158600 mi US $240 |
Alternator went bad. Replaced alternator and (still good) serpentine belt. |
| 39680 mi | radio... |
| 113000 mi US $35 |
All Warning Lights coming on, Radio/Dash not Lighting..... Battery was disconnected for a time.... problem never returned. Saab Gremlins |
| 54000 mi | headlight assembly failure cd player failure |
| 60000 mi US $661 |
Headlight bulb shorted out. |
| 55150 mi | Column Integration Module (Saab Part No. 12805196) replaced. |
| 63000 mi | A/C blower motor was replaced |
| 52700 mi C $161 |
Xenon light flickering. Headlamp module and socket repair may be needed. Module repaired unsuccessful in fixing issue Headlamp Socket was repaired subsequent to headlamp module being repaired. Problem seems to have been fixed at this point. |
| 69440 mi | CD changer skips in cold weather. Known issue with Clarion cd changer, dealer refuses to fix because could not replicate in warm shop. Also, only occurs during driving, and dealer did not test drive. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 62000 mi C $100 |
6-disc changer replaced. |
| 62620 mi | Replaced 6 disc in-dash changer due to constant skipping. |
| 63860 mi C $600 |
Replaced the AC fan and amplifier a few weeks before I sold it, it had moisture build-up and had stopped working. |
| 99000 mi US $800 |
Replacement of alternator assembly. |
| 36000 mi | Fuel gauge |
| 156000 mi US $500 |
Alternator went. |
| 166000 mi US $600 |
The electronic steering look system was malfunctioning. The repair shop took the ignition control module apart and cleaned all contacts on the circuitry. |
| 178000 mi US $500 |
Blower fan was seized. Mechanic replaced blower fan and resitor. |
| 178000 mi US $400 |
Left rear tail light circut board was shorting. Tail lights break light and turn signals would work intermintly. Replaced tail light circut board,wiring harness and conector. |
| 156700 mi US $1400 |
Side and brake light; now, two months later, same problem. Air bag warning lights come on, off . |
| 163000 mi US $2500 |
front light again went out -- cost $200! |
| 64000 mi US $550 |
Also, leak in A/C caused minor water damage in PF footwell. Covered by owner. |
| 71000 mi US $100 |
A/C not working, so it was taken in. Vacuum Pump faulty, replaced. |
| 83000 mi US $100 |
Fuel Sensor and Fuel Sender replaced. |
| 35000 mi | onstar unit failed. Replaced under warranty |
| 48000 mi | pass door and window inoperative. Replaced under warranty |
| 60000 mi | pass door and window relay inoperative. Replaced free under Saab "program" |
| 65000 mi US $400 |
inoperative climate control system. Electronic fault. |
| 68000 mi US $650 |
Drivers side front and rear window regulators malfunctioned same week. Motors ok, regulator lifts only replaced. |
| 76000 mi | Passenger window stopped working. |
| US $2400 | AC motor replaced, because it was locking up and the belt was slipping as it is connected to the AC motor. |
| 75000 mi US $650 |
Interior A/C Vent Motor Failed |
| 21300 mi | Remote keys replaced under warranty |
| 23900 mi | Steering wheel lock malfunction. |
| 25500 mi | Gearbox malfunction light. Short to ground SLM. Readd SLM under warranty. |
| 21300 mi | Battery failure, replaced under warranty. |
| 43800 mi | Gearbox malfunction. P0826-06 fault code. Readjust SLM. No charge. |
| 63000 mi US $460 |
Window regulator replaced in front passenger side |
| 127000 mi US $230 |
Replace alternator and serpentine belt |
| 54000 mi | The blower on the heater stopped working so no air was coming out of the vents. My wife was borrowing the car that day and had the worst drive of her life in an unbearably cold car. Dealer installed new blower. |
| 69440 mi | Driver's window stopped go up & down. Because of frost it freezed and broked the plastic "piece" which is holding the rope... |
| 93000 mi US $750 |
Steering lock solenoid seized causing the car immobilizer to not allow startup. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 96000 mi US $325 |
Alternator died; Having mechanic put in but one isn't available from distributor for two weeks! Called Saab dealer and will cost $1100 to repair!! Left headlight went out. It cost me $300 for a new one!! I think they called it a Zion light (Xenon) which is more expensive. This car is costing me an arm and leg to repair. Great car BUT will cost you to fix!! Left headlight went out. It cost me $300 for a new one!! I think they called it a Zion light which is more expensive. This car is costing me an arm and leg to repair. Great car BUT will cost you to fix!! |
| 72000 mi US $150 |
Steering wheel mounted switch for audio volume control failed. Replacement part was ordered, but not yet installed. |
| 125240 mi C $1300 |
cable for the power driver's side window kinked and the whole regulator had to be replaced. Car suddenly refused to start. Towed to mechanic who after MUCH frustration found numerous intermittent electrical connections under the fuse box. Also found loose starter motor and fixed but that was not the cause of the problem. |
| 32000 mi | passenger side seatbelt warning light came on with no one in seat and front end noise from suspension. fixed the seat sensor, and still no fix for the front end noise. |
| 34000 mi | fog lamp went out, rear seat release broke, driver side lumbar cable snapped, traction control issue again, and sunroof would close then go back open, staying in the open position. software fix for sunroof, replaced the lamp and fixed the lumbar in seat. |
| 55000 mi US $350 |
this car sucks goat balls. I had every light up front out when i took it to the shop. Every drive light the only thing that worked was on fog light i had replace one month ago. I did hire a lawyer and he got me three thosand dollars from saab because this |
| 78000 mi US $16 |
Left low beam headlight burned out. Took an hour to get the bulb from a parts store and replace it myself. |
2003 Saab 9-3 4-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| 37000 mi | CD Changer jammed while attempting to change from one disk to another. Unable to remove any disks; needed a new disk changer. install cd changer |
2003 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 76500 mi £245 |
altenator burnt out |
2003 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 98000 mi US $1000 |
then again for failing AC compressor. |
2003 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| 83300 mi | Information center was unreadable. Many bad pixels |
| 90200 mi US $100 |
Information center was unreadable. Replaced unit. |
| 64000 mi US $350 |
A/C switch went bad also cabin filter replaced. |
| 95000 mi US $250 |
Pulley and bearing on alternator failed, serpentine belt destroyed. Alternator replaced, serpentine replaced. |
| 106000 mi US $200 |
Alternator replaced |
| 98000 mi US $1500 |
replace ac compressor for 2nd time in 2 yrs, now the hose is broken too |
| 99000 mi | AC hose replaced |
| 144500 mi US $80 |
left front headlight not working on high beams; upon checking it is noted by owner that light is not working at all |
| 132000 mi US $40 |
The light was actually fixed this time. |
| 142000 mi US $600 |
Alternator needed to be replaced; also battery as alternator had damaged it. |
| 187000 mi US $800 |
compressor third time |
| 204000 mi US $1000 |
5th AC Compressor. Are you sure this car has never been recalled for AC Compressor issues? AC just went out again - it is July of 2017, less than one year since work was done. |
| 219000 mi US $425 |
also I had a left bright headlight that kept burning out; both were fixed and care is running well (a different shop replaced this part with a defective part).... |
| 114500 mi US $200 |
Replaced ACC fan controller with used unit |
| 115300 mi | AC compressor/expansion valve/receiver-dryer replacement. Compressor clutch pulley bearing noisy. Update March: Still underway. The replacement compressor wasn't quite correct one, so old one went back on and a short-belt bypass is currently in place. |
| 121000 mi US $165 |
Replaced compressor |
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