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Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

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Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven2017 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven
70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven2017 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven
39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.2016		 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.2016		 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors. 2015		 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven2013 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven
38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven2012 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven
28 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 95500 miles driven2008 Saab 9-3 Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  28 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 95500 miles driven

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Saab 9-3 vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Saab 9-3s and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Saab 9-3s and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI have been recently.

To see how frequently Saab 9-3 and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Saab 9-3

Saab 9-3 Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 excellent car reputation for safety see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 180hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD		 The history and the underdog mentality. Also the brand is unique in getting good design and performance in one package. The SAAB brand known for there engineering of new technology, and will see more of that nowadays I guess. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 280hp 2.8L V6
6-speed manual AWD		 Saab is different and independent, I know it was part of GM in this model year but they are still made by Swedes and have the Swedish touch. see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Cool, not showy or glitzy, integrity of design and reputation see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 Only a concern when you play the 4 year new car shuffle, not feasible anymore on these cars! Again, if you're stressed out by your coworkers/neighbor's opinion of your car, a SAAB is not the best for you. Unless he/she has one? see full Saab 9-3 review
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 255hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 I had never known Saab until the moment I saw a black 93 stationwagon in a used car lot. I started my research, by that time Saab was already bankrupted so that Saabs are cheap to buy but expensive to own. I did my pros and cons and decided to went for it. This isa very special car, very handsomely styled and very, very cool! see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Sedan turbocharged 250hp 2.8L V6
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Great design inside and out. Reliability sems to be going up with Spyker. I purchased my 2006 with resaerch that the 2002 to 2004 were very troubled years. Bumper to bumper warranty better than BMW. see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Wagon turbocharged 150hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD		 cool man see full Saab 9-3 review
2006 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Saab is a unique Brand. see full Saab 9-3 review
2004 2dr Convertible turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 So far Saab has lived up to its reputation. see full Saab 9-3 review
Saab 9-3 Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2008 4dr Wagon turbocharged 180hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD		 Some may think that this is an uncertain buy, but who cares? see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Does Saab have an image? see full Saab 9-3 review
2007 4dr Wagon turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 GM ruined the brand image. Car reviewers seem to dislike Saab see full Saab 9-3 review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Once upon a time, Saab had a good name, what happened (Read realiability, that may answer your question) see full Saab 9-3 review
2003 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 Reputation for costly repairs and unreliability. see full Saab 9-3 review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 I always see Volkswagens as great, reliable cars. The GTI is special because of its utility and performance. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD		 german built, soild car see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD		 Like the 2004 R32, the 2008 R32 had a limited production run of 5000, most of which are now sold. The R32 is really a well balanced "mini grand touring" car; without the stigma of being a "rice racer" like the Evo or STi. A great car for road and track! see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2005 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD		 VW builds a quality car, besides their electrical issues, which I have not had in either of my last two GTIs. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2004 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD		 VW, to me, means smart and sophisticated; while, at the same time, being practical and understated. Owning one shows you know automobiles without having to shout about it. VWs are not appliances. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 Low reliability see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD		 VW does not have that great a reputation in the U.S. This is a shame because the Golf really seems to be a well-made vehicle. Time will tell whether it holds up, but there are many horror stories of poor service, poor dealers, and the factory not standing behind their warranties. I'm hoping that VW has improved their ways, but this remains a major sticking point. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 VW dealerships have one of the worst reps. for fair service prices. The dealer I saw was great on the test drive front, but I feared the service desk a few years down the line. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD		 Too many people, VW are still seen as nice cars that break often see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review