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2006 Saab 9-3 repairs by problem area
Engine (25%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (1%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (16%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (29%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (12%)
Other (12%)
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 387 repairs.
2006 Saab 9-3 electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (1%)
$1000 - $2499 (4%)
$500 - $999 (9%)
$100 - $499 (29%)
< $100 (56%)
Chart based on 96 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2006 Saab 9-3
Engine not specified
| 60000 mi US $200 |
Radio and turn signals no sound - amp1 failure suspected. Battery drained over and over until it no longer held a charge. Radio and system sounds later started working. Battery replaced after less than 2 yrs. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 87000 mi US $40 |
Wipers stopped halfway up the windshield and fluid would not squirt. Replaced windshield motor due to faulty position sensor with a used motor and replaced driver nozzle due to crack in existing nozzle. |
| 2000 mi | When I tried to put the passenger window up, it would sometimes automatically go back down. Bad sensor. |
| 15000 mi | The front passenger window does not always return to its upright position when I try to close it -- it goes up, then down again. They replaced something and fixed it. |
| 16000 mi | The driver window wouldn't go all the way up. The door's electronics need to be rebooted. |
| 36000 mi | Battery and cables replaced. |
| 41000 mi | Antenna cracking. |
| 49000 mi US $600 |
SID unit (trip computer) after resetting trip info would randomly go back to previous distance/MPG numbers after turning off engine (then back on). After multiple attempts including software updates, SID was replaced and finally fixed. |
| 63000 mi US $310 |
AC stopped working--- no parts replaced, just computer reset. Unfortunately troubleshooting took a long time hence the expensive repair. |
| 125000 mi US $35 |
Ballast control unit for right low beam headlight was bad (from water damage). Troubleshooting-- first assumed it was the bulb but using other's side bulb it still didn't work, then assumed it was the ignitor but used the one from the driver's side and confirmed that even with good ignitor it still didn't work, next step was to replace the ballast control unit (again, using the working one from the driver's side) and it DID work. Solution was to replace the bad ballast control unit. I ordered a USED unit (as it was significantly cheaper and came with a warranty). The biggest issue was having to remove the front bumper to get to the ballast control unit. After watching a short youtube video, it was nowhere as difficult as it initially appeared. I read on the forums that others were charged $900 at the dealer to address the same issue (it seems they replaced all three; bulb, ignitor, and ballast). My $35 solution and two hours worth of research, troubleshooting, and performing the repair was certainly worth it |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 71000 mi US $450 |
Driver window regulator failed |
| 19000 mi | Malfunctioning passenger airbag sensor. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 40000 mi US $150 |
Windshield wiper motor regulator and adjustment of lights. |
| 31000 mi | Vehicle has required low beam headlight replacement three times in 30,000 miles of ownership - twice on left side, once on right. Dealer checked electrical system, found no problems, replaced both headlight bulbs. Time will tell whether or not ... |
| 72000 mi US $640 |
Fuel gauge would go to zero when tank filled. After 100 miles of driving, gauge would come on scale and work normally until next fillup. Happened consistently. Mechanic replaced fuel pump assembly which resolved problem. |
| 93800 mi US $504 |
Blower motor for circulating air inside the vehicle developed chirping noise, needed to be replaced due to incipient failure. |
| 118000 mi US $20 |
Both headlights failed approximately 2 weeks apart. Headlights replaced. |
| 135000 mi US $200 |
Fuel sender |
| 150000 mi US $37 |
Fuel tank level sender |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 175000 mi US $200 |
A/c fan motor squeezing like a dining cricket. Nursed it for a month before getting it fixed. |
| 29000 mi | Driver's power window pinch protection was causing the window to go back down at the top when the express-up feature was used. |
| 74000 mi US $183 |
Front tilt on drivers power seat stopped working. Replaced tilt motor. |
| 156500 mi US $191 |
The cabin ventilation fan was squeaking on extremely hot days. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 150hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 75640 mi C $600 |
Replaced both front door electric locks |
| 82800 mi C $1200 |
Replaced passenger front electric window actuator |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 150hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD
| 20000 mi | Alternator failed, successfully replaced at dealer. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 34000 mi | Rear taillight bulb assembly came loose. Taillight bulb rested against fiberoptic wire going to the audio/nav system and melted the insulation. This rendered the audio/nav system inoperable. Fiber optic cable assembly was replaced. |
| 164074 mi US $1000 |
Installed new cabin fan motor, cabin filter seal and cabin filter. Replaced melted passenger side tail/brake circuit board and 4 pin terminal connector with good used unit. Replaced corroded right front marker socket and bulb. |
| 65720 mi $700 |
Key fob damaged by dealer, unable to lock or unlock the car, only to start the car. dealer supplied and programmed news key fob. |
| 75020 mi $600 |
A/C not cooling, one vent gives cold air, all the rest give hot air |
| 23000 mi | factory security system was not working and was replaced. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 11000 mi | reprogramed pinch control on front diver side window |
| 67000 mi US $720 |
Replaced a/c fan speed controller |
| 73000 mi | One touch did not work. Reprogrammed window module |
| 75000 mi | Car would not start; positive switch replaced. Battery also replaced cost pro-rated |
| 94000 mi | a/c needs to be replaced |
| 94500 mi | Battery's positive circuit breaker is failing. Reset, but dealer ordered a replacement part. Easy to reset if one knew that such a part existed. Rear Window Regulator Replaced Replaced a/c compressor |
| 99000 mi US $304 |
replaced one Xenon head lamp bulb |
| 103000 mi US $420 |
Positive cable shut off switch. There is a question about warranty liability. |
| 91800 mi US $300 |
Replaced xenon head lamp bulb |
| 29000 mi | Rear-Driver's side window made clunking noise when moving. The problem was diagnosed as an issue with the regulator. Part had to be ordered. Ordered regulator again. New window regulator installed. |
| 40000 mi | Noticed electrical smoke smell and speakers popping after heavy rain and car wash. Problem was found that after window regulator had been replaced door had not been properly sealed. Water intrusion damaged stereo amplifier under driver seat (wet). |
| 48000 mi | Passenger window clicking while going up. Window regulator found faulty and replaced. |
| 79000 mi US $365 |
Fuel gauge was "jumping" and would read empty after fill-up. Fuel sender was replace (fuel pump was not replaced). |
| 92000 mi US $50 |
Rear driver side lock actuator failed (would only lock/unlock) sometimes. Replaced with pulled part |
| 98000 mi US $25 |
ACC cabin blower motor was noisy and sometimes did not work unless set to full blast. Sounded like motor was seizing, also triggered a code in tech2 diagnostics. Followed repair advice per http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=165760 - removed and maintained motor, drilled hole in base to prevent future corrosion. Replaced headights. Had to remove parts of front bumper shroud to access bulbs. |
| 23000 mi | Brake light blown. |
| 47000 mi US $14000 |
compressor for AC unit failed and needed to be replaced |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 122222 mi US $1700 |
ECU wiring bad |
| 13000 mi | Window sensor replaced |
| 68000 mi US $36 |
one of the Lowbeam HID lamps needed replacing, so I replaced both with after market lamps for $36.00 Saab parts were very expensive |
| 91000 mi US $800 |
Fuel level sensor replacement. Worked properly half-tank and below; above a half-tank, it read empty. Preventative replacement of fuel pump as well. |
| 85000 mi US $98 |
Driver's side headlight bulb burned out. Total cost for replacement was $98, and took 5 minutes to replace. |
| 90200 mi US $212 |
One of the two horns failed in the car, so when hitting the car horn sounded like a clown car. Fixed in 1.25 hours. |
| 130000 mi US $300 |
Blower motor needed replacement. Just age of car and use. Greased it to put off replacement for a few months. |
| 134500 mi US $396 |
The blower motor for the heat/ac I had applied grease to stop squealing two months ago. It returned in October, so had the motor replaced before it failed and left me without heat or ac. |
| 166000 mi US $40 |
Multiple light bulbs burnt out, replaced them all. One headlight, right front turn signal left brake light, one of two license plate lights. 20 minutes for all four. |
| 168000 mi US $166 |
AC Blower Control unit replaced Battery was failing and needed replacement |
| 66000 mi US $158 |
Driver's window had to be reprogrammed to stop returning to half way after being given a rollup command |
| 87000 mi US $140 |
Front right window erratic roll-up. Had to be reprogrammed for anti-pinch setting. This happened to the left front 2 years ago. |
| 98000 mi | GM recall of takata airbag on driver's side |
| 100000 mi US $120 |
Fuel level system errors diagnosed. Tank sensor bad. Replacement will cost abt $440 |
| 58000 mi US $1110 |
Replaced failed A/C compressor. |
| 41000 mi | One headlamp bulb replaced but it's still under warranty, took about 15 min. |
| 107800 mi US $160 |
Xenon headlights replaced |
| 125000 mi US $125 |
I had to replace the passenger door lock. The actuator had failed. It was an easy job. |
| 68000 mi US $254 |
Power mirrors performing erractically. Tried changing mirror switch, no result. Had to change the drivers door window control module. Published service bulitien on this issue. |
| 77700 mi US $194 |
SID showing braked system failure and speedometer stopped functioning. Dealer found a service bulletin requiring re-flash of ECM. Successfully corrected problem. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 69000 mi US $30 |
Windshield wiper motor needed replacing |
| 107000 mi US $16 |
Replaced windshield washer pump |
| 12000 mi | Auto door lock feature malfunction, they go up and down several times before finally locking. Waiting for a future software update to resolve issue. Electronic steering wheel lock sometimes does not release steering wheel when key is inserted in ignition; dealer could not duplicate problem. Audio system "froze" - no response to any controls for volume, tuning, etc.; dealer ordered new amplifier. Dealer installed replacement amplifier. A loaner car was provided for this trip as well as the earlier trip (for diagnosis). |
| 27000 mi | Drivers door window would not close fully (stayed open about 1/4"). |
| 39000 mi US $76 |
One touch close on drivers window malfunctioned. When window raised, it would then go back down about 1/3rd. Dealer said it is a software problem with the "pinch protection" that is common with this model. No permanent fix is available. |
| 47500 mi | For several months, there has been a problem with the auto up windows not closing properly. The dealer has not been able to solve the problem. On a hunch, I removed and re-installed the fuse - problem solved! (works for other problems to. much like re-booting a computer). "Infotainment System" (audio/trip computer) froze when I cleared the system after a fill-up. I solved the problem by re-booting the system (I pulled the fuse and re-installed it a few seconds later). Works for many simple problems on cars. |
| 21000 mi | Remote keyfob transmitter replaced due to deterioration of rubber around the buttons. Turned soft and gummy. For what it's worth I've had this same issue with the rubber eraserhead pointers on laptops. |
| 26000 mi US $10 |
Replaced driver's side headlight. Took about 5 minutes to change. |
| 27000 mi | The headlight bulb I replaced myself in November blew again so I took it to the dealer. They replaced both headlight bulbs per standard proc. and updated BCM software to reduce voltage to bulbs for longer life. |
| 50000 mi | Dealer replaced worn-out keyfob and also replaced battery under factory warranty. |
2006 Saab 9-3 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 150hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 6-speed manual FWD
| battery flat on delivery - replaced | |
| wiring issue on engine - repaired on warranty |
2006 Saab 9-3 4-door
turbocharged 6-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 27000 mi | Electrical system problem. Radio and other controls wouldn't turn off. |
2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 86000 mi US $300 |
Blower Motor |
| 117000 mi US $120 |
Replace ICM |
2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD
| 41000 mi | Takata airbag replacement recall |
| 22000 mi | Reprogrammed auto-up windows so they would close appropriately. |
| 85000 mi £88 |
Car no start battery leaking only 18months old,new battery installed |
2006 Saab 9-3 2dr Convertible
turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 34000 mi | Anti pinch feature not working properly on Pass. front window. A/C did not get cold. Second key fob not recognized by computer. |
| 40000 mi | AC compressor making unusual noise. Anti-pinch on passenger window malfunctioning. |
| 41000 mi | Replaced AC Compressor. Replaced passenger window module. |
| 50000 mi | Passenger window anti-pinch mal-function. |
| 59000 mi US $150 |
Electric mirror switch was found faulty and replaced |
| 86000 mi US $15 |
In Dash CD changer would not play CDs. "disk error." R&R CD spindle motor. |
| 139000 mi | Temp and Fuel gauges read about 1/4 gauge high. Would not return to correct zero point when vehicle turned off. Reset gauge cluster by removing fuse F4. Problem resolved. |
| 180000 mi US $600 |
Audio would randomly cutout while driving. Suspected fault in optical bus. Replaced Amp1, problem persists. Replaced Amp2, problem persists. Replaced Infotainment Control Module, problem persists. Replaced radio unit, problem resolved. |
2006 Saab 9-3 2-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| 60000 mi US $150 |
Alarm trunk goes off when doors r locked. Can't seem to correct I found an online solution & forwarded to dealer. Heat not working. They replaced the thermostat. Turns out after they replaced insulation was blocking floor vent. |
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