| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2001 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area
Engine (52%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (12%)
Brakes and Traction Control (8%)
Suspension and Steering (8%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (10%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)
Other (3%)
Chart based on 77 repairs.
2001 Saab 9-3 repair cost distribution
$2500+ (5%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (23%)
$100 - $499 (30%)
< $100 (34%)
Chart based on 61 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2001 Saab 9-3
Engine not specified
| Saab in California, United States Feb 2011 - May 2011 | |||
| May 2011109000 mi | Major: engine would not start. Sometimes letting it cool down would make a difference. Spent $1,500 in January in failed repair attempt. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 230hp 2.3L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States Jan 2015 - Nov 2015 | |||
| Feb 2015115200 mi | left rear brake caliper needed servicing, needed new rotors as well. | ||
| Apr 2015118000 mi | slight oil leak, replaced valve cover gasket to fix the problem | ||
| Jun 2015121000 miUS $800 | transaxle seals leaking front right bearing started to seize. Bearing and assembly replaced. | ||
| Aug 2015122100 miUS $1300 | radiator, water pump, heater core | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Connecticut, United States Apr 2012 - Jun 2014 | |||
| May 2013160500 miUS $740 | Massive oil leak and disintegration of crank pulley | ||
| Feb 2014178900 miUS $125 | Blender/vent control and fan switch inoperative. Replaced fan switch due to worn contacts and blown resistor pack. Replaced blender "plunger" to regain control over air flow in cabin. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in North Carolina, United States May 2014 - Jul 2014 | |||
| May 2014161000 miUS $700 | Throttle body replaced | ||
| Jul 2014162000 mi | Water pump broke. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in New Jersey, United States Oct 2013 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Oct 2013158000 miUS $500 | Heater core replaced. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in California, United States Mar 2013 - Jun 2014 | |||
| Apr 201493000 miUS $2885 | Oil leak from timing cover onto alternator, alternator had to be replaced. Tie rod ends worn out, left tie rod end dangerously worn and close to detaching, all tie rods replaced. Front struts and rear shocks worn out, new strut insert and shocks installed. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States Jan 2011 - Jul 2011 | |||
| Jul 2011166000 mi | Excessive metal shavings found in oil, billowing smoke, rattling during operation = engine failure. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Quebec, Canada Sep 2014 - Sep 2015 | |||
| Nov 2014122000 miC $175 | Exhaust muffler changed | ||
| Apr 2015124820 miC $150 | Tie rod ends changed Steering bushings changed Suspension bushing changed Stocked rear calipers Parking brake rebuilt | ||
| Jun 2015125860 miC $50 | starter rebuilt | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States Jan 2013 - Feb 2013 | |||
| Feb 2013147000 miUS $350 | Replaced fuel pump | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Maryland, United States Feb 2011 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Aug 2013105400 miUS $400 | DIC failed | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Virginia, United States Jan 2009 - Sep 2011 | |||
| Dec 2009170000 miUS $800 | Replaced brake master cylinder. | ||
| Jan 2010170000 miUS $2100 | Replaced clutch and clutch master/slave cylinders. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Connecticut, United States Feb 2012 - Jul 2015 | |||
| Feb 2012131000 mi | Air bag next to drivers seat exploded when I started the vehicle. | ||
| Mar 2012132000 miUS $1264 | Front end wear. Ripped right boot. Oil change. Flush brake fluid. | ||
| May 2012133000 miUS $2560 | Auto needed a valve job | ||
| Sep 2012138000 mi | Vacuum hose developed crack which generated the "check engine" light. | ||
| Jul 2013150800 miUS $957 | Check engine light cam one about 75% of the time. Slight leak of coolant/anti freeze Radiator leak | ||
| Nov 2013155000 miUS $150 | Hatchback did not stay up. Struts had to be replaced. | ||
| May 2014161000 mi | Check engine light was on. Mechanic could not verify the problem with the diagnostic tools. | ||
| Jul 2014162000 mi | Front right wheel suspension/steering. Costco said it needed a hub or ball joint. Ended up being something else. | ||
| Jan 2015146700 miUS $200 | coolant leak | ||
| Jul 2015174000 miUS $750 | Failed emission test. "Check engine" light was on. | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Illinois, United States Apr 2015 - May 2015 | |||
| May 201588000 miUS $250 | Serpentine belt and tensioner pulley replaced | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Great Britain Jul 2013 - Jun 2015 | |||
| May 2015107300 mi£50 | rust on floor near seatbelt mounting. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Ohio, United States May 2018 - Sep 2019 | |||
| Oct 2018110000 miUS $300 | Replaced upper radiator hose; replaced thermostat. | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 205hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Pennsylvania, United States Dec 2012 - Nov 2016 | |||
| Jul 2013202000 miUS $90 | Output shaft sensor wiring harness failed. 5th bow switch for convertible top failed tensioner pulley tightened causing belt to be thrown off and shredded Direct Ignition Cassette failed | ||
| Sep 2014210000 miUS $75 | ABS Module failed and needed to be rebuilt | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Florida, United States Aug 2012 - Jun 2018 | |||
| Jan 2013149000 miUS $50 | Heater hose from the block to the core burst then replaced. Was able to drive it three miles without overheating. | ||
| Feb 2013149700 miUS $430 | Broken climate control unit, replaced with used. Gear shifter linkage tightened and sensor replaced. | ||
| Mar 2013150000 miUS $300 | convertible top motor | ||
| May 2013152000 miUS $1600 | Hydraulic system for the convertible top shifter cable | ||
| Jun 2014158000 miUS $974 | idler arm pulley mount broke which ruined several pulleys and the belt. several hoses and connectors needed replacing | ||
| Sep 2014160000 miUS $80 | Theft alarm system battery died. Did not change battery used obd2 tool to change from a beep to the horn. | ||
| Nov 2015165000 miUS $1125 | replaced several front end pieces. | ||
| Dec 2015166000 miUS $886 | replace fuel pump | ||
| Apr 2018178000 miUS $239 | replaced 2 sensors | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Queensland, Australia May 2011 - Sep 2013 | |||
| Jun 2011142600 mi | Blowing white smoke out of exhaust, could be blown motor or turbo? Car sitting in garage | ||
2001 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 185hp 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Saab 9-3 in Georgia, United States Oct 2011 - Jan 2014 | |||
| Jul 2012100500 miUS $900 | Coil pack replaced, neutral safety switch replaced | ||
| Sep 2013116000 miUS $200 | neutral safety switch | ||
| Nov 2013117000 miUS $200 | shift cable broke | ||
| Saab 9-3 in Massachusetts, United States Oct 2011 - Nov 2011 | |||
| Nov 2011121000 mi | leaking water pump when sold (already replaced twice!) transmission on the way out A/C compressor has been non-functional for over 2 years | ||
| Saab 9-3 in California, United States Mar 2011 - Jan 2022 | |||
| Jun 201161000 miUS $175 | crankshaft position sensor | ||
| Jul 201162000 miUS $15 | halogen headlight out, driver's side | ||
| Sep 201273000 miUS $300 | Oil pressure sender, and it leaked PC Valve failure | ||
| Feb 201375000 miUS $900 | New radiator. R&R access is tough, so labor exceeded parts bill | ||
| Jun 201378000 miUS $300 | Original wood trim cracked and peeling. Replaced with aftermarket product. | ||
| Sep 201380000 miUS $50 | LF headlight bulb burned out again. Replaced both sides | ||
| Dec 201382000 miUS $70 | Air control knobs on dash stripped. Replaced knobs and ordered new control shaft. | ||
| Jun 201485000 miUS $30 | vacuum hoses lost their elasticity and no longer "grabbed" t-connectors, resulting in rough engine performance. Replaced 3 lines & 3 plastic joints. | ||
| Aug 201485000 miUS $2500 | Failed firewall heater hose led to head gasket failure. Had to swap for another engine. | ||
| Dec 201487000 mi | Diagnosed as master cylinder/booster failure. Ultimately a disconnected brake line (!) | ||
| Aug 201593000 miUS $650 | Water pump leaked | ||
| Dec 201594000 miUS $350 | Neutral safety switch (2nd one) Seat belt retractor on drivers side failed and locked closed. Recall issue on other model years. | ||
| Feb 2018170000 miUS $500 | head gasket, oil pan gasket | ||
See TrueDelta's information for all Saab models.
