NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,191 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Saab 9-3 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Saab 9-3 Owner Comments

problem #11

Feb 112023

9-3

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #10

Feb 082016

9-3

  • 71,000 miles
Saab 9-3 2002 frequently will not start even though it has new battery and newer alternator- may be ignition discharge module.

- Delray Beach, FL, USA

problem #9

Nov 302012

9-3 4-cyl

  • 139,702 miles
I just purchased my 2002 Saab 9-3 from karz and more in longview wa. In November 2012 and drove about one mile went into a store came out and the vehicle would not start. The thermostat and the ignition coil pack were bad. Replaced the thermostat just once and the ignition coil pack twice. Car is still not running I have died on the freeway, in town, too many times to even count the car will start with a jump but wont run for very long before it dies. Frustrated and at my witts end! had a full diagnostic....showed nothing no one seems to know the problem. Its ran about a week since I have had the car ugh!

- Kelso, WA, USA

problem #8

Jun 112014

9-3 4-cyl

  • 169,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My dic failed for a second time! I hear its an extremely common issue with these vehicles.

- Middle Island, NY, USA

problem #7

Apr 012011

9-3 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
I have a 2002 Saab 93 and the dic cassette on those car always good bad. They are defective there was a recall on those cars and I called the dealer and asked them and they said there wasn't no such recall, they denied it because the parts is expensive.

- Roosevelt, NY, USA

problem #6

Oct 222010

9-3 4-cyl

  • 77,199 miles
The Saab 9-3 2002 stalled suddenly while idling on an exit ramp on the highway. The car failed to restart and had to be towed. The ignition module had been replaced 4 years early as part of a prior recall. The car is current at a gas station and the mechanic has diagnosed that the replaced ignition module has again failed.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #5

May 072008

9-3

  • 79,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The check engine light came on at approximately 79,900 miles. Upon diagnosis by the Saab dealer, they said the ignition cassette was failing. Replacement was necessary as when the part ceased to function the car would not run. This is the fourth time this part has been replaced. : dates the ignition cassette was replaced -- 6/30/08 (82,903 mi), 3/21/07 (56,231 mi.), 12/15/05 (32,671 mi.), 8/17/04 (18,720mi.). the replaced part is available.

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 132007

9-3 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,500 miles
Saab information display (sid) is losing its pixels and is unreadable. This is the second time unit has failed. The first was replaced under warranty in May 2005. Sid provides engine information and maintenance updates as well as general information such as time, radio/cd player operation, and hands free telephone (constar) information. I have not replaced the second unit since it was approximately $400 to replace and required a Saab certified technician with special equipment to mate with the car.

- Scappoose, OR, USA

problem #3

Jun 012006

9-3 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,300 miles
: the contact stated the air conditioner and the defroster has been repaired multiple times due to a sensor problem. The engine was replaced a few months ago but the replacement engine was noisy.

- Wausaukee, WI, USA

problem #2

Mar 192005

9-3 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
My 2002 Saab 9-3 stalled in traffic and could not be started again. The direct ignition module had burnt out suddenly, and smoke was seen coming out of the connector when I tried to start the car. The module failed with no warning at all, and I was lucky to have been in heavy, but slow traffic. The module was replaced and the car is running. The car has less than 50,000 miles on it, so the sudden failure of such a critical component is surprising and disconcerting. I have little faith that this will not happen again, without any warning.

- Riverdale, NY, USA

problem #1

Feb 022004

9-3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,000 miles
2002 Saab 9-3 convertible, about 13,000 miles caught on fire. Drove to office, turned off engine, & parked car. Got out of car & noted unusual smell despite that guages indicated "checking ok"ay. Went into my office & called zee Saab of milford where new car was originally leased from & where all services had been performed. No problems had ever been noted with the car. Told to call Saab roadside assistance, which I did. Went back outside to where car was parked to wait for roadside and noticed smoke coming from the hood area. Then saw fire & flames coming from the top of the hood and underneath the front of the car. Immediately called witon ct fire department and within 15 minutes fire was extinguished. In that very short amount of time, the entire front of the car was significantly damaged from the fire. A newspaper reporter was with the fire dept. & took about 30 photos of the fire & the resulting damage. Saab roadside arrived & I requested that the car be taken to Saab of milford. I notified allstate, my insurer. Allstate claims rep & engineeer examined the car (although requested, to date, I have not received a copy of the allstate engineer's repiort). Allstate engineer informed Saab of milford that the fire was from "undetermined causes" & car was "totalled". dealer informed me that despite the fact that car had only about 13,000 miles, the dealer performed all services & there were no warning lights or indicators of a problem, the damages were not covered by Saab dealer or manufacturer warranty. Clearly, fires don't just start and there was some type of failure(s) with the car.

- Easton, CT, USA

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