2009 Saab 9-3 Saab 9-3 2009

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

2009 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (20%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (5%)

Other (9%)

Chart based on 56 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2009 Saab 9-3.

2009 Saab 9-3 repair cost distribution

$2500+ (8%)

$1000 - $2499 (22%)

$500 - $999 (6%)

$100 - $499 (34%)

< $100 (30%)

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

Chart based on 50 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States
Jul 2017 - Jan 2018
Mar 2017

76000 mi

US $3400
car running rough, smoke billowing from under hood. Two different problems, coolant tank hose had burst, also, coil had failed, but replacing one coil only made another coil go, had to replace them all before car ran normally. 
Nov 2017

82000 mi

US $100
right front xenon bulb assembly, only high beam was working. Purchased two bulbs only (no ballast) and found video on youtube for removing bulbs from both headlights, put in new bulbs, worked beautifully. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual AWD

Saab 9-3 in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2011 - Dec 2015
Aug 2011

22940 mi
coil pack replacement, had check engine light and misfires Washer fluid hose leaking under hood, washer fluid nozzle leaking 
Jul 2013

40300 mi

C $350
P0306 Cylinder 6 misfire, rough idle replace coil pack on cyl. 6 again...due to rough idle and misfire causing check engine light. Previously replaced with same crap Delco part at dealer. Used Bosch part, seems to hsve solved issue. replace coil pack on cyl. 6 again...due to rough idle and misfire causing check engine light. Previously replaced with same crap Delco part at dealer. Used Bosch part, seems to hsve solved issue. 
Apr 2014

47120 mi

C $100
Still trying to track down the misfire. 
Sep 2014

50840 mi

C $600
Hesitation & misfires at WOT, coil pack faulty on cylinder 5. Replaced all 3 rear packs while it was apart. 
Mar 2015

55180 mi
Another Bad coil pack on cyl. 6, closest to the turbo. The turbo heat cooks this coil every 6 months. 
Dec 2015

57660 mi
Oil seepage from cold side of turbo charger, repeated check engine light for P0089, suction control valve stuck. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Saab 9-3 in Norway
May 2014 - Feb 2018
Sep 2014

13640 mi

$152
High mounted rear brake light, crack centered at the washer fluid nozzle. P/N 12825344. 
Nov 2014

14260 mi

$459
"Bonk" noise, front, right, when turning the steering wheel at standstill, or low speed. Ball bearing P/N 13 270 705 replaced, both sides. 
Jul 2015

15180 mi

$1700
A/C compressor did not start. Low on coolant medium, refilled 365 g. 
May 2017

17980 mi

$4232
AC compressor disd not start due to low coolant medium/leak. Replaced 3 gaskets/o-rings and refilled medium and oil. 
Aug 2017

19430 mi

$18000
Both rear shock absobers leaking, replaced. OEM P/N 12848627. A/C system still leaking, replaced two valves and recharged. OEM P/N 3041827 and 13122149 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual AWD

Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States
Jun 2010 - Jul 2019
Mar 2010

2500 mi
alignment 
Jan 2011

8000 mi
replaced power steering hose 
Dec 2013

43000 mi
Exhaust rattle from catalytic converter mechanic found loose tie rod end cold air coming in from outside 
Jun 2014

53000 mi
Needed all 8 intake valves replaced due to defective valves 
Oct 2016

69000 mi

US $300
Leaking shocks 
Jun 2017

76000 mi

US $300
Replaced all 4 coils 
Mar 2018

84900 mi

US $60
Left rear bearing 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon

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

Saab 9-3 in Ontario, Canada
Jun 2013 - Jun 2018
Nov 2015

80600 mi
Rear right top strut mount had crack.replaced both left and right mounts. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual AWD

Saab 9-3 in Virginia, United States
Jun 2013 - Aug 2015
Mar 2014

64000 mi

US $30
Leaking TPMS valve on one wheel. 
Nov 2014

66600 mi

US $1000
Rear Differential displayed a service light. Diff was taken apart and reassembled with new seals and gaskets and all fluids and filters replaced. Any disconnection in power to instrument cluster caused tachometer needle to reset to readings other than zero. Was finally reading 3500 rpm with the engine stopped. Speedometer was also inaccurate, reading ~10mph too low. 
Jun 2015

71000 mi

US $1200
CEL indicated issue with fuel system. Diagnosed as an impending failure in the fuel pump, which was replaced. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Saab 9-3 in Minnesota, United States
Feb 2016 - Feb 2017
Oct 2016

55500 mi

US $2100
4 of the valves were bent, not sure exhaust or intake, needed to put in new valves and have everything machined for fit and tolerances 
Dec 2016

58000 mi

US $1426
Needed new front springs, were broken so replaced struts at the same time to avoid duplication of future labor. 
Saab 9-3 in New Hampshire, United States
Jul 2016 - Sep 2016
Aug 2016

67000 mi

US $1000
Rear shock leak and failure 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD

Saab 9-3 in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2013 - Jun 2017
Oct 2014

27900 mi

C $100
Replaced links 
Jul 2016

36360 mi

C $150
Rear left/ driver window regulator cable jamed 
Jun 2017

40920 mi
Ball fell off from shift stick. Not fixed yet 
Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States
Apr 2015 - Dec 2017
Sep 2017

106000 mi

US $1200
Timing chain guide broke and got into the sump damaging the crank reluctor ring. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual AWD

Saab 9-3 in British Columbia, Canada
Jul 2017 - Jul 2018
Jun 2017

41540 mi

C $2000
Fuel pump failure 
Saab 9-3 in Alberta, Canada
Jun 2013 - Apr 2016
Feb 2014

52240 mi

C $1100
Date: 04/04/2013 To: All Saab Service Bulletin Nbr: TA248-1108 Date: March 2011 
Aug 2014

57840 mi

C $1400
Rear shocks were leaking - self leveling units had to order parts from Sweden due to back order in North America 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan

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

Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States
Sep 2013 - Jun 2017
Apr 2017

93000 mi

US $600
Corroded hood latch in 2015 caused hood to not latch after fluid change. Hood flew up and folded back. Finally got his repaired along with cosmetic repairs to driver side molding and front bumper 
Saab 9-3 in Oklahoma, United States
Jun 2013 - Nov 2015
Oct 2013

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. 
Jul 2014

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. 
Saab 9-3 in California, United States
Jun 2011 - Jan 2022
Nov 2011

11598 mi
Repaired poor wiring in failed right rear tail light. 
Feb 2014

26200 mi

US $385
Broken part to raise and lower the rear driver side window. 
Dec 2014

33000 mi

US $150
Oil leak 
Sep 2015

37000 mi

US $20
Burned out harness connecting the passenger side headlight. Direct connection made by the mechanic. 
Feb 2017

116000 mi

US $20
Reattached loose vacuum hose Burned out headlight 
May 2017

51000 mi

US $300
Airbag sensor and seat belt sensor stopped working. Mechanic unable to fix it. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Saab 9-3 in Ohio, United States
Dec 2013 - Oct 2017
Feb 2014

25900 mi

US $3000
Burned valve....While GM owned Saab they eliminated 6 year, 100,000 mile drivetrain warranty on 2009 cars and newer....called and they refused coverage even though very low miles. I've had other "issues" with GM and will not buy their cars. 
May 2015

35100 mi

US $300
One of the spark plugs was bad and was replaced with new one. 

Return to top

2009 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible

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

Saab 9-3 in New York, United States
Jun 2013 - Jul 2018
Jun 2015

37000 mi

US $100
Error message regarding ignition on information center. Diagnosed as faulty body module which was reset. Worked for a while but messages returned since. 
Mar 2016

42000 mi

US $600
ignition switch replacement 
Jul 2018

55000 mi

US $2000
Drivers side window motor replaced. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all Sedans, Convertibles, and Wagons.
See TrueDelta's information for all Saab models.

2009 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 2009 Saab 9-3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.