| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2004 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area
Engine (29%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (2%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (19%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (32%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)
Other (8%)
Chart based on 218 repairs.
2004 Saab 9-3 engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (10%)
$500 - $999 (15%)
$100 - $499 (32%)
< $100 (42%)
Chart based on 60 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 99000 mi US $65 |
changed out the expansion tank. now no longer losing coolant. |
| 47000 mi | Gas Cap replaced |
| 75000 mi US $340 |
Ignition Control Module replaced |
| 85500 mi US $1600 |
Turbo replaced. Clogged oil return line. Turbo replaced. Clogged oil return line. |
| 53300 mi US $800 |
failed balance shaft chain tensioner and guide |
| 54000 mi US $800 |
replaced CIM |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 106000 mi US $215 |
VACUUM PUMP REPLACES TIME IT TOOK ME WAS AROUND 40 MINUTES, 10 DAYS TO RECEIVE THE PART |
| 79000 mi US $3000 |
Water pump failed, engine coolant leaked. |
| 88000 mi US $1100 |
Mechanic noticed excessive engine vibration/noise while driving vehicle. Belt tensioner needed to be replaced. |
| 108000 mi US $140 |
Gearbox Malfunction Limited Performance Contact Dealer I was unable to shift car into reverse. Car was towed to dealership that was unable to duplicate problem. Computer resetting eliminated the warning display and problem hasn't reoccured. |
| 29210 mi | Car flat-bedded to dealer due to failed ECU - car wouldn't start - ECU replaced, reprogrammed. |
| 31654 mi | Trouble starting car - reads "Immobilizer failure - Restart car - Contact dealer" - dealer finds nothing wrong. |
| 32930 mi | "Immobilizer failure - Restart Car - Contact Dealer" reoccurs. Unable to remove key from ignition and car will not crank. Eventually find slamming driver door resets computer and key is removeable. 3 tries and car starts. Delivered to dealer with erro |
| 88200 mi US $220 |
replaced coolant resevoir and put in new coolant. no big deal. Changed coils and spark plugs. also oil change |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 89280 mi C $2000 |
Water pump leaking - replaced it. |
| 59000 mi | Head gasket. |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 107000 mi US $1452 |
Water Pump leaking. Replaced water pump and coolant. Also replaced serpentine belt and tensor and thermostat while water pump was replaced. |
| 169200 mi US $750 |
Fuel pump died while on highway. Had towed to mechanic. |
| 51000 mi | Fan motor switch only work at one stage and would not shut off even after engine turned off. |
| 93000 mi US $600 |
Heating and cooling fan motor stopped working. No motor was found in the USA at this time because of change of company filling orders. Car still in shop. |
| 19915 mi | replaced Idler pulley and stepper motor |
| 28712 mi | 30k scheduled.. Also, replaced belt tensioner, ACC belt, and all rusted lug nuts |
| 74000 mi US $150 |
Mass air flow tube broke away from its anchor causing a hole in the tube creating an engine code and lack of driveability. |
| 85000 mi US $390 |
had code indicating vapors leaking from tank, smoke test indicated leak in top of tank, dropped tank and repaired, tech stated looked like fuel pump was installed and did not seal correctly |
| 121500 mi US $350 |
Crank Position Sensor went bad. Car wouldn't start. |
| 126000 mi US $100 |
A warming light came on telling me that I had a gearbox error. They updated the computer and the problem resolved. |
| 135000 mi US $363 |
Check engine light came on. Was faulty Crank Position Sensor and Faulty Gas Cap. |
| 60000 mi US $100 |
CEL was coming on intermittently so they changed a gasket on the gas cap, since the fault code was emission related. They also gave me a new gas cap in case the old gas cap was the actual problem. |
| 40000 mi US $45 |
Power steering reservoir was leaking. This is a sign of a failed power steering pump seal. It is driven directly from the crank and engine oil seeps into the PS fluid. Part was $5 and 1 hour of labor. |
2004 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 175000 mi | Clutch went, simply worn out due to miles. Sold car to dealer instead of repairing. |
| 96700 mi US $258 |
Replaced Expansion Tank due to leaky 'nipple' that connects to hose. |
| 110000 mi US $400 |
Leaking coolant hose replaced. |
| 47000 mi | Leaking crankshaft seal, repaired under warranty. Pulley and serpentine belt also replaced as they were saturated with oil. |
| 48000 mi | Car stalled and would not start. Dealer replaced engine management computer under warranty. |
| 58000 mi US $1200 |
Fuel pump failed, was replaced. |
| 47000 mi | Engine cranks with no run, replaced crankshaft sensor. Passed on scam replacement of spark plugs. Told they were fouled from no run cranking. What BS! |
| 81000 mi US $106 |
when temp above 80F, warm engine will crank but not run. Changed crank sensor. Problem NOT fixed! |
| 81000 mi | car continues to crank but not run every other week. wait 10 min to one hour then it starts. |
| 90000 mi | The problem was never fixed to as new status, The dealer was able to program a used(2005) ECU to run and start reliably but the turbo boost was never as new. No dealer wants to maintain an orphaned car. It got great gas mileage in limp mode though. |
| 43400 mi C $600 |
Oil was leaking from the cam shaft. A seal was replaced |
2004 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| 169000 mi US $500 |
engine sensor (not able to start the car) |
| 172000 mi | Apparently there is coolant leak somewhere but both my mechanic and dealer couldn't find out what is wrong. I have to refill the coolant everyweek. |
| 120000 mi US $20 |
two coils replaced |
| 123100 mi US $120 |
Replaced another coil |
| 158000 mi US $300 |
Replaced all four engine mounts |
2004 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 57000 mi US $1297 |
Also Ignition Switch Module that controls remote activity and monitors ignition position, also 2 remote transmitters. |
| 14500 mi | Losing coolant. Coolant reservoir and reservoir cap replaced. |
| 87000 mi US $40 |
leaking valve cover gasket |
| 105000 mi US $680 |
ECU Failure, No start condition Throttle Body Position sensor Fail |
| 168000 mi US $300 |
Car would shutter upon full boost, gas gauge inop. Replaced fuel pump and spark plugs at approx $300 |
| 179300 mi US $45 |
Check Engine light came on, and car lacked power. Pulled a code for Boost Controller Malfunction. Replaced Boost Controller, issue solved. |
| 94860 mi C $800 |
Change CIM and steering wheel lock and ignition switch |
| 59520 mi C $30 |
Vacuum pump was leaking oil. Replaced the vacuum pump gasket and put silicone on the one inside the pump housing. A bit messy but a cheap fix. |
| 65720 mi C $200 |
Replaced exhaust brackets. |
2004 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 63300 mi US $950 |
Water pump was noticed by oil change mechanic over a year ago to have a small leak. Car suddenly and frequently required more anti-freeze. Took in to dealer for water pump replacement. |
| 64000 mi | Low coolant level light came back on and coolant level had dropped since water pump replacement. Dealer pressure tested it overnight and could not find leak. Said if it happens again they will dig deeper. |
| 65000 mi | Same problem - low coolant level. Dealer can't find where the slow leak is coming from. Did another pressure test on cooling system. |
2004 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 175hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 92380 mi A $150 |
Diagnose coolant leak. They said it was most likely an internal leak. They wanted more time to check it out, I said no since it would probs be expesnsive. |
| 92380 mi | Coolant leak never found. |
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