2005 Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 2005

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2005 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area

Engine (19%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (25%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (30%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (11%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 168 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Saab 9-3.

2005 Saab 9-3 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (1%)

$1000 - $2499 (9%)

$500 - $999 (9%)

$100 - $499 (32%)

< $100 (48%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 139 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Saab 9-3

Engine not specified

Saab 9-3 in Norway
Apr 2011 - Jun 2011
Jun 2011

117800 mi
Wire from ECU to main fuse box broke, causing alarms to come up. ECU is in bad place, under the front wing, water is getting in to it very easy. 
Saab 9-3 in Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Apr 2010

65100 mi

$2000
gear box failure 
Saab 9-3 in Washington, United States
Feb 2011 - Feb 2012
Apr 2011

86500 mi
window regulator 
Feb 2012

95000 mi

US $450
amplifier under driver seat. replaced with refurb. 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

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

Saab 9-3 in Sweden
Mar 2011 - Apr 2017
Feb 2014

91140 mi

$80
Annual test / car was perfect but that was after a 400 euro service. Mostly bulbs. the AC is not 100% . But we manage with it. Not sure at this pont but believe it may be more than a simple gas refill. front left half bulb changed & it cost approx 80 euro + 30mins time - approx 120 euro. 
Mar 2015

107260 mi

$800
It was a pump that needed to be replaced 
Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Jun 2011 - Jan 2014
Oct 2011

56000 mi

US $35
CEL leaving car in Limp Home mode randomly. MAF sensor code. Cleaned sensor = good for a few days but came back. Replaced air cleaner and cleaned sensor cured problem for good. 
Feb 2013

84800 mi
Passenger side front spring snapped. Covered under extended warranty. 
May 2013

87000 mi

US $120
Car was going into limp mode randomly with CEL. Read code for MAF sensor. Replaced sensor. 
Oct 2013

93300 mi

US $225
Replaced front struts 
Saab 9-3 in Ireland
Mar 2011 - May 2011
May 2011

94860 mi

€1000
Car was stuttering for a while till it failed to start or started after a few hours. Diagnosed an EGU Valve replacement. Shortly after,within two weeks, the cars electrics stopped. Diagnosed an Alternator failure and replaced one. 
Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States
Dec 2010 - Aug 2013
May 2010

53196 mi

US $4000
Broke a ring on a piston,removed engine and installed engine out of a 2006 saab 9-3 with 10,000 less miles than original engine. 
Jan 2013

US $200
The REC fuse block in the trunk #17 block for the auto dim mirror/compass and Intermittent wiper control failed. I had to replace the entire Rear electrical center and have it reprogrammed to match the car's options. 
Feb 2013

74100 mi

US $300
The A/C blower motor failed. 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in New Hampshire, United States
Mar 2013 - Jun 2019
Mar 2013

81000 mi
Replaced Thermostat and Engine temp sending unit, due to irregular readings and no heat. driver seat heater stopped working. Element cover wore through from contact w/ metal strap in seat, causing a short which eventually caused element to break. removed seat cover, resoldiered element & added add'l cover to prevent reoccurance 
Mar 2014

92000 mi
HVAC blower motor bearing started to sieze due to rust which developes from moisture in the air. Removed motor, oiled bearing to free it, then caked on heavy duty grease on outside of bearing surfaces to keep moisture from forming again. 
Jun 2014

95000 mi
Broken front coil spring 
Aug 2014

96400 mi

US $100
flex joint cracked, replaced exhaust with performance exhaust 
Mar 2016

112000 mi
Caliper piston stuck 
Aug 2016

115100 mi

US $160
changed driver and passenger axle shaft due to torn boots 
Dec 2016

118000 mi

US $15
replaced sway bar end links due to damage when removing them for axle replacement earlier 
Apr 2017

120000 mi

US $25
Rear upper control arm bushings worn (both sides). Replaced complete arm with bushings Replaced Driver side front Window Regulator 
Jul 2017

124000 mi

US $90
Replacement Window Regulator broke. had to replace again with better quality part 
Jun 2018

134800 mi

US $175
Replaced Boost bypass Control solenoid and Boost bypass Valve 
Apr 2019

144900 mi

US $20
replaced rotted out gas tank strap 
Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States
- Jan 2007
Jan 2006

15000 mi
Driver Window pinched wouldnt roll up 
Jan 2007

25000 mi
Driver window pinched wouldnt roll up 
Saab 9-3 in Colorado, United States
Jun 2016 - Nov 2017
Sep 2016

72000 mi

US $35
Underside of windshield washer nozzle broke, which disabled the entire windshield washer fluid system. This is a common failure - ordered 3 new nozzles & replaced. 
Dec 2016

75000 mi

US $9
Windshield washer fluid constantly low - discovered it would freely leak out of the nozzles for the headlight washers. Diagnosed as a bad "y-junction" - Saab part #12803975. Replaced this part (behind the bumper cover on driver's side) 
Jan 2017

US $202
Check Engine Light - Code P0172 (fuel trim too rich) and P0300 (random misfire). Tried cleaning throttle body, MAF/MAP sensors, and fuel system treatment with no success. Shop diagnosed as bad fuel pressure regulator - replaced. 
Mar 2017

79000 mi

US $35
Fuel pressure regulator had gone bad. This price included diagnosing the issue, new OEM replacement part, and installation. ECM failed. Symptom was a recurring check engine light (P0687) that would reappear immediately after being cleared. Purchased new ECM from eeuroparts.com, and had local Saab independent shop install. Price includes core charge credit. Car wouldn't start. Battery is almost brand new (4 months old). Seems to be a parasitic drain on the battery when shut off, but couldn't find any source - no lights left on, etc. Jump-started the car, everything has been fine (as of 4/6/17). Adhesive holding the side mirror glass failed and mirror fell and shattered. Had to replace mirror glass with new adhesive. 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Mar 2007 - Mar 2012
Feb 2007

27760 mi
Internal fault in right rear caliper. Replaced rotor, caliper and pads under warranty. 
Nov 2007

44488 mi
Front left side seat belt replaced under warranty. Front left side seat belt replaced under warranty. 
Dec 2007

44470 mi
Low Beam headlight failure. Replaced both headlights under warranty. Low Beam headlight failure. Replaced both headlights under warranty 
Apr 2008

48734 mi
Front swaybar bushings and upper front strut bearings. Left front door opening molding replaced under warranty. Front swaybar bushings and upper front strut bearings, and left front door opening molding replaced under warranty 
Sep 2008

57000 mi

US $122
Seat Belt Adjuster. Missed this repair. Parts ordered but not installed Seat belt adjuster (pillar trim) replaced. 
Oct 2008

62000 mi

US $30
Left Low beam headlight. replaced. 
Nov 2008

63000 mi

US $410
Windshield Wiper motor malfunction. Motor replaced. 
Jul 2010

101300 mi

US $500
Power window regulator, driver's side. 
Apr 2011

119000 mi

US $120
Front Coil Spring Broken. Replaced both front coil springs. Front stabilizer bar links loose, upper strut bearings also replaced. 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Saab 9-3 in Minnesota, United States
Jan 2011 - Mar 2015
Oct 2011

48000 mi

US $300
Driver window actuator replaced Heating/ac fan making noise intermittently, dealer replaced under extended warranty. Issue with sway bars. Dealer noticed and replaced under warranty/recall. 
Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States
Oct 2007 - Mar 2010
May 2008

50000 mi
Noise from driver's front door. Door panel was loose and re-tightened. 
Jun 2008

50000 mi
Trim piece on glove box was replaced, and rattle in door and seat fixed. 
Saab 9-3 in Georgia, United States
Oct 2010 - Jun 2011
Dec 2010

65000 mi
Cabin fan failure. Cabin fan failure - Warranty 
Saab 9-3 in Oklahoma, United States
Jul 2012 - Aug 2012
Aug 2012

99000 mi

US $2400
ac only blowing hot air. Replacement of cooling fan module, compressor, drier, orings, orifice tube, lines, condensor flush with freon refill. still not working correctly. 
Saab 9-3 in Connecticut, United States
Aug 2008 - Apr 2020
Jun 2014

149000 mi

US $680
Broken spring 
Sep 2016

196000 mi

US $200
bad tie rod 
Jun 2017

212000 mi

US $250
Replace condenser and recharge system. Diagnosed by shop, I replaced the part myself 
Sep 2018

234000 mi

US $5
Heater fan was squeaking. Removed the fan to lubricate it 
Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2019
Aug 2013

67000 mi

US $1225
Replaced water pump and thermostat 
Nov 2013

67300 mi
Front spring broken and both front springs replaced under warranty. 
Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Sep 2008 - Dec 2012
Oct 2008

53000 mi
Dealer incorrectly installed weatherstripping after window motor repair, which caused rain water to leak into the front seat. Took dealer three visits to fix. 
Nov 2012

90000 mi

US $20
Air mix stepper motor Headlight lens cleaning 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Jan 2012 - Jun 2012
Feb 2012

76200 mi
Coolant leak apparently because of a manufacturing flaw in all-aluminum engine. Kept refilling but then low coolant warning would come back. Engine block was replaced with an aluminum and steel block. 
Saab 9-3 in Tennessee, United States
Jun 2010 - Jun 2012
Aug 2010

105000 mi

US $741
Water pump was leaking so it was replaced. 
Saab 9-3 in Texas, United States
Jun 2011 - Jul 2016
Nov 2011

64050 mi

US $18
The low beam on the passenger's side went out. 
Mar 2013

67000 mi

US $18
Again the passenger side low beam light went out. Sounds like a recall problem considering all the repair reports. 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Jan 2009 - Jul 2018
Feb 2009

57000 mi

US $90
Wipers wouldn't operate on intermittent, wouldn't go to home when off. The windshield washer fluid wasn't functioning at all. The wiper motor was replaced, by me, correcting all problems existing. This is common prob. w/ owners, wiper motor is the solutio 
Mar 2010

68000 mi

US $60
springs, struts, seats and bearings. extended warranty. notified before problem by saab that this would be covered if experienced. experienced soon thereafter. great experience. perfectly fixed. 
May 2013

104200 mi

US $25
had to access cabin fan to lubricate it, also replaced cabin air filter. fan had stopped working after squeeling for a while. 
Aug 2013

104300 mi

US $180
Had to replace amplifier for radio 
Sep 2013

105000 mi

US $180
Replaced cabin air fan. Bitch if a job. Did it myself 
Feb 2016

126400 mi

US $400
Rust spot on tight rear quarter panel. Rust has already returned. 
Nov 2016

134100 mi

US $250
Driver side back caliper and pads/rotor all around 
Jan 2017

134200 mi

US $40
Power steering pump needed new gasket/ washer on bearing. It was letting engine oil into system and overflowing power steering reservoir. Fairly easy fix. Myself. 
Apr 2017

143000 mi

US $55
Personally replaced expansion valve Rotors and pads replaced 
May 2017

145000 mi

US $600
Rear spring broke 
Sep 2017

149000 mi

US $75
Power steering pump gasket was leaking 
Saab 9-3 in Michigan, United States
Aug 2009 - Nov 2011
Dec 2009

72000 mi

US $1110
hub bearing passenger front headlight bulb burned out and the wire harness also bad stabilizer bar bushing replaced 
May 2010

81000 mi

US $380
Broken spring covered under warranty.  strut bushings replaced that I paid for. 
Sep 2010

83000 mi

US $20
drivers side mirror came unglued 
Jun 2011

90000 mi

US $600
left front wheel speed sensor failed triggering abs, stability and traction control failure. Hit a minor bump in road 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Jun 2015 - Jan 2018
Jan 2016

100000 mi

US $190
Amp shorted out. Needed new amp. 
Jan 2017

91300 mi

US $200
washer fluid would not work 
Feb 2017

103000 mi

US $800
had to get new front shocks 
Dec 2017

112000 mi

US $825
Wheel bearing needed replacement as well as a few other suspension bits associated with the bearing 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Mar 2012 - Apr 2017
Jun 2012

94000 mi

US $242
Left rear upper control arm worn out causing poor rear-end control 
Apr 2013

98700 mi

US $464
Cracked left rear shock absorber mount. Replaced mount, both rear shocks. 
Nov 2013

108400 mi

US $1100
Radiator slow leak, due to rust on lower radiator body where side frame joins aluminum fins. 
Feb 2014

112100 mi

US $40
Water pump showing signs of leaking. Added stop-leak treatment to coolant, hoping this will buy some time before pump needs to be replaced. 
Jun 2015

129000 mi

US $120
Left front stabilizer bar worn, making "clunking" sound, replaced 
Sep 2015

134000 mi

US $1500
Steering became extremely heavy. Replaced power steering pump, which did not correct the problem. Then replaced rack and pinion. Steering now normal. 
Oct 2015

134300 mi

US $80
Serpentine belt that powers alternator worn. Belt was original equipment. 
Nov 2015

135000 mi
Water leaking into left rear floor. Up to 1/2 inch standing after heavy rain. Gasket sealing cabin air filter housing from firewall disintegrated. Removed, replaced with silicon sealant. 
Saab 9-3 in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2008 - Sep 2014
Sep 2010

67580 mi

C $1900
hvac recirc motor & blower 
Mar 2012

71300 mi

C $1500
Broken springs, sway bars, replaced struts 
Saab 9-3 in New Hampshire, United States
May 2013 - Jun 2015
Jan 2014

91900 mi

US $150
One of the ABS speed sensor wiring harnesses had failed. Easy fix, pricey part (for a bundle of wires). 
Jul 2014

88300 mi

US $55
Blower motor resistor failed due to corrosion on blower fan. Cleaned and lubed motor and replaced resistor. 
Nov 2014

95000 mi

US $140
Rear muffler rusted out, replaced everything from the catalytic converter back. NH uses too much salt on the roads. 
Saab 9-3 in Colorado, United States
May 2011 - Jan 2013
Oct 2011

75000 mi

US $780
Serepentine belt replacement. Front crankcase seal replacement. 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Aug 2011 - Jan 2012
Jan 2012

121000 mi

US $600
Wheel hub wiring problem. Should have cost 20 dollars but the incompitant mech told me it was the wheel hub 
Saab 9-3 in Great Britain
Mar 2013 - Aug 2014
Jan 2014

120000 mi
power steering pump leaking - replaced noisy wheel bearing - replaced 
Saab 9-3 in Florida, United States
Nov 2006 - Jun 2013
Sep 2006

14210 mi
unlatched exhaust clip reattached. 
Jul 2011

39000 mi

US $64
turbo bracket bolt missing 
Sep 2011

41000 mi
Above door trim slowly moved forward creating a gap and potential water leak. New clips for trim installed. Saab provided part free to customer. Dealer installed it free without charge to Saab or customer. 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 150hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Saab 9-3 in Ireland
Oct 2010 - Aug 2011
Nov 2010

55180 mi
Jerky engagement when car put in drive. Gearbox oil changed which has greatly improved the situation but it has not remedied the situation. Took the car to an auto trans shop who advised that this was a fault in this box and advised an... 
Feb 2011

56600 mi
Routine Intermediate service carried out in accordance with Maintenance Schedule set out in Owners Handbook 
Aug 2011

60760 mi
The transmission was still jerky. A new gearbox would have cost €5,000! 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD

Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Mar 2007 - Mar 2010
Nov 2007

20000 mi
Dash display occasionally showed "Steering lock malfunction - see dealer." Faulty ignition switch module was diagnosed and ISM was replaced. 
Saab 9-3 in Great Britain
Jan 2008 - Apr 2008
Mar 2008

50000 mi
Corroded and broken coil spring. 

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2005 Saab 9-3 4-door

4-cylinder automatic 2WD

Saab 9-3 in New Jersey, United States
Mar 2007 - Sep 2007
Apr 2007

33000 mi
Rear Defroster system intermittently, dealer unable to daignoses and problem did not occur during visit. 
Aug 2007

38000 mi
No heat, air would be produced but, the air was not hot 
Sep 2007

38000 mi
No heat from the heater 

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2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

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

Saab 9-3 in Florida, United States
Oct 2014 - Jul 2017
Oct 2016

32200 mi
Hydraulic piston fail for convertible top. To expense to repair. Top will no longer go down. 
Jun 2017

35000 mi

US $800
replaced hydraulic pistons for convertible top 
Saab 9-3 in California, United States
Jun 2009 - Mar 2015
Apr 2010

66000 mi
car lost some power, TEC II detected vac leak in gas cap, dealer replaced cap at no cost.  
Saab 9-3 in Illinois, United States
Apr 2009 - Mar 2012
Sep 2009

56000 mi

US $238
Anti-pinch window feature kept driver-side window from rolling up completely without driver intervention. Window module was reprogrammed. 
Aug 2010

71000 mi

US $1050
Small rust spot developed under the convertible hatch. No perforation occurred so manufacturer did not cover the repair. 
Sep 2010

73000 mi

US $200
Sway bar linkage rubber bushings worn out. Replaced. 
Oct 2010

74000 mi

US $60
Balance knob broke on the radio. 
Jun 2011

87000 mi

US $100
Car was blowing its low-beam headlight at least once/every two months on the left-hand side and had started blowing the right-hand side low-beam about once every six months. Dealer replaced the bulb connectors on both sides. 
Saab 9-3 in Wisconsin, United States
May 2014 - Jun 2015
Jun 2014

106000 mi

US $174
Thermostat required replacement. Replaced the air filter while it was in the shop ($44 of the total $174 for this repair). 
Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Mar 2011 - Apr 2017
Nov 2011

108900 mi

US $100
replace worn link rod 
Jun 2014

161000 mi

US $350
replaced leaking intermediate pipe along with gasket and clamp 
Jan 2015

121000 mi

US $149
Brake booster oil seal was leaking. I had the area cleaned and a new seal installed. 
Mar 2016

188000 mi

US $1500
stuck caliper-left rear, replaced caliper, new rear pads and rotors-left and right broken front spring, leaking front strut replaced front springs and struts 
Saab 9-3 in Virginia, United States
Apr 2014 - Jul 2018
Apr 2014

114000 mi

US $20
Welded loose heat shield. 
Apr 2015

127300 mi
Oil leaking into power steering reservoir due to a failed seal 
Mar 2017

146000 mi

US $1300
No start when cold. ECU replaced 
May 2018

163000 mi

US $250
Replaced front struts 
Saab 9-3 in Utah, United States
Dec 2008 - Mar 2010
Jan 2009

75485 mi

US $10
High center light bulb out and synthetic oil/filter change. low beam bulb replaced. Runs great. 50 in-town miles and 900 high-speed interstate miles per week (long commute). 
Saab 9-3 in Indiana, United States
Jun 2010 - Jun 2011
Jul 2010

105000 mi

US $375
replaced blower motor 
Saab 9-3 in California, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2011
Jun 2010

29000 mi

US $1000
draining battery, source could not be found. tried replacing acc resistor and checked all fuses and starter system 

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2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in Great Britain
Apr 2017 - Mar 2022
Jun 2017

87000 mi
Any or all of the Turbo boost gauge, Fuel Gauge, Temperature Gauge show that the engine has self destructed with the temperature off the top of the scale, the turbo boost showing that the turbo has just blown itself up, and that there is very nearly a full tank of petrol, when the tank is almost empty. This is a known problem. The previous owner was told that its an earthing [grounding] problem and that the cost of diagnosis and repair would be £2000+. This is a car worth about £1000! The answer is to remove the fourth fuse down (red 10A) in the fuse box, wait for about 20 seconds, and then replace it. This solves the problem for between 1 week and 3 months. 
Jul 2018

98000 mi

£650
Aircon compressor screamed and then stopped compressing. Result - no cooling. Compressor replaced along with some pipes in the cooling system. Initially the system leaked, and so the car had to be returned to the repair shop for a gland to be replaced prior to a second regassing of the system 
Saab 9-3 in Quebec, Canada
Mar 2012 - Apr 2012
Apr 2012

74400 mi

C $120
Changing the suspention bearing Electrical connection 
Saab 9-3 in Nova Scotia, Canada
Mar 2007 - Jun 2018
Jan 2007

29760 mi
sid warning- low washer fluid when full 
Apr 2013

76560 mi

C $200
throttle cleaning 
Mar 2015

97340 mi

C $300
replaced one front rotor and both front brake hoses 
Jun 2016

100440 mi

C $800
new rear caliper, pads, and rotors 
Apr 2017

101060 mi

C $50
Tail pipe replacement 
Dec 2017

101680 mi

C $260
Flex pipe replacement 
Jun 2018

103540 mi

C $325
Replacement of muffler and exhaust tips 

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2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Saab 9-3 in Alabama, United States
Jul 2015 - Jul 2015
Jul 2015

98000 mi

US $3000
Transmission failed during driving. Encountered a flat tire at that time. Car wouldn't start due to steering wheel malfunction had CNM reprogrammed During the replacement of the tranny the motor mount was done. During the replacement of the tranny we did a modification to the air cabin filter area that had a part missing and all other parts aren't correct. During the replacement of the tranny we did a modification to the air cabin filter area that had a part missing and the part number corresponding to that part isn't correct. During the replacement of the tranny we found the radiator busted and needed replacement 

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2005 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in Great Britain
Sep 2007 - Mar 2010
Nov 2007

48000 mi
Worn bushing on rear suspension arm. Suspension arm replaced. Passenger side wing mirror replaced because of cosmetic issue with wing mirror supporting bracket ~ couple of lumps appeared on surface. Motor was faulty (for mirror tilt option) so was replaced with a new motor when identified. 
Mar 2008

58000 mi
Broken front suspension spring 
Jan 2009

80000 mi

£330
Steering control module failed and key transponder failed~ both replaced and keys reprogrammed. 

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2004.5 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in Great Britain
Apr 2011 - Apr 2013
Jan 2013

88200 mi

£80
two new front anti roll bars 

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2005 Saab 9-3 Repair Histories

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 2005 Saab 9-3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.