NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,308 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.

2005 Saab 9-3 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Saab 9-3 Owner Comments

problem #9

Nov 062019

9-3

  • 190,015 miles

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

Altornator keep malfunctioning happend multiple time

- Sharon Springs, NY, USA

problem #8

May 192018

9-3

  • 12,000 miles
My car won't start and no mechanic can figure out exactly why due to there not being any Saab dealers near the area I'm stuck in... I have been living out of my car for 3 months cuz I don't want anyone to steal my car

- Barstow, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 292017

9-3

  • miles
Horn does not blow, please wait light stays on. And burns the battery out over a day or so while car is stationary have to recharge.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #6

Mar 062013

9-3

  • 66,486 miles

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

Vehicle stalled during a right turn at slow speed.

- Blaine, WA, USA

problem #5

Jun 132011

9-3

  • 37,440 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Saab 9-3. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced several electrical failures. The air conditionaer, headlights and the motor on the front passenger door all failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that a burn out occurred in the electrical sockets for each component. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 37,440.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #4

Mar 112010

9-3

  • 1,000 miles
Ongoing during routine driving: The headlights on my 2005 Saab 9-3 burn out on approximately a monthly basis requiring replacement of the bulb. According to knowledgeable sources this is due to a corrosion issue with the headlight sockets known to the manufacturer and service providers. This is a safety concern due to the fact that when one headlight bulb burns out - the other headlight bulb burns out shortly thereafter exposing me to four occurrences where I have lost illumination in both headlights while driving at night. In addition, the headlight sockets are of poor construction as I have had two occurrences of one of the three tabs which secure the headlight socket into the headlight assembly break off. This initially creates a situation where the headlight bulb moves out of alignment causing improper illumination of the roadway ahead. Ultimately, the broken tab on the socket leads to bulb failure due to vibration associated with vehicle operation. Replacement sockets available from the manufacturer are of the same construction and the underlying issues have not been addressed.

- Trenton, OH, USA

problem #3

May 172006

9-3

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Loss of power at highway speed 4 times on 5/17/2006, 4/17/2006. 04/7/2006/and 4/03/2006. Serviced each time by Saab dealer with assistance from national technical. Problems continued. Made request for re-purchase under lemon laws of St of wa. Car re-purchased by Saab usa.

- X, WA, USA

problem #2

Sep 152005

9-3 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,827 miles
The engine in my 2005 Saab 9'3 linear has failed many times within the first 4000 miles. The Saab dealership on each of the three occasions could not find the problem. This appears to be a serious concern to me and to the other drivers around me, I hope that Saab recalls this model!

- Babson Park, MA, USA

problem #1

Apr 262005

9-3 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 miles
Since I have purchased my Saab 9-3 convertible the digital compass always reads North and calibrated. Went in for service and dealership says they cannot fix it. They advised me the Saab representative is aware of the problem, and all of the convertible are having the same problem, secondary to a magnetic field created during the manufacturing process.

- Burlington, CT, USA

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