NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 24 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saab dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible owner complaints

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible, describing incidents dated April 5, 2001 to August 22, 2013.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 8 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 6 complaints
Engine 3 complaints
Power Train 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Tires 2 complaints

Of the 24 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 24 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10536926 · Filed August 23, 2013
HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR THREE MONTHS THEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TAKE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SLOWLY AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AFTER I MADE THE EXIT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION CASSETTE! SO DANGEROUS! *TR
ODI #10367793 · Filed November 24, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…
ODI #10287104 · Filed October 12, 2009
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL…

Read all 24 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Recall Query RQ05-003: FUEL LINE LEAKAGE
Closed April 28, 2006
- Recall 06V-126
Preliminary Evaluation PE05-017: ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
Closed September 23, 2005
- Recall 05V-399
- Recall 06V-410

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

GM/SAAB/FUEL PUMP

NHTSA #04V557000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported November 19, 2004 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 17,394 vehicles

Saab campaign 15018 · Owners notified March 14, 2005 · Vehicles built May 1, 2000 – July 31, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Safety consequence

OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Notes

SAAB RECALL NO. 15018 (GM RECALL NO. 04101).CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

24 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible.

Electrical System

ODI #10536926

Incident: August 22, 2013 · Filed: August 23, 2013

HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR THREE MONTHS THEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY AND SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WOULDN'T TAKE GAS. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER OFF THE HIGHWAY SLOWLY AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY AFTER I MADE THE EXIT. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT I NEED A NEW IGNITION CASSETTE! SO DANGEROUS! *TR

Power Train

ODI #10367793

Incident: November 20, 2010 · Filed: November 24, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10287104

Incident: October 11, 2009 · Filed: October 12, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 7,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A PEP BOYS LOCATION AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE LOST 2 CYLINDERS AND NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10281965

Incident: July 1, 2009 · Filed: August 27, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED FOR 3 WEEKS. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V399000 PE05017 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE05017 COMPONENT: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN NOR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF HER VEHICLE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10275673

Incident: June 18, 2009 · Filed: July 2, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE. IN 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 103-7-22538. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE TO PREVENT THE RECALL CONSEQUENCE. IN 2007, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL THE NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AT THAT TIME. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF 2009, THE VEHICLE HAS FREQUENTLY BEEN STALLING AND IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. ON JUNE 10, 2009, THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE STALLING ISSUE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE FEELS THAT HE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SERVICES THAT WERE PERFORMED IN 2006, WHICH WERE SUPPOSED TO REMEDY THE FAILURES IN THE FIRST PLACE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

Air Bags

ODI #10245771

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 17, 2008 · Filed: October 17, 2008

WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH. I WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. VEHICLE CONTINUED ON AT HIT HEAD FIRST INTO CONCRETE WALL IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS TAKEN TO HOSPITAL AND SUFFERED BROKEN COLLARBONE. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10229728

Incident: June 2, 2008 · Filed: June 3, 2008

AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE SPENT $494.97 ON WHAT WAS A RECALL PREVIOUSLY, I HAVE A SAAB 93 CONVERTIBLE AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STARTED LOSING POWER. TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND NEED THE DI-CASSETTE REPLACED. ON THIS VEHICLE I HAVE ALSO HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED 3 TIMES IN 2 YEARS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10191644

Incident: February 4, 2007 · Filed: May 24, 2007

WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, MOTOR FAILED DUE TO LACK OF OIL CIRCULATION BROUGHT ON BY PLUGGING OF OIL PUMP INTAKE SCREEN FROM DEGRADATION OF OIL, DUE TO DESIGN OF SAAB 9/3 THAT COOKS OIL IN TURBOCHARGER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER DIRECTLY BENEATH OIL PAN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS LONG OIL CHANGE INTERVAL, (10,000 SAAB RECOMMENDATION), VEHICLE HAD 8,000 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. ALSO -3*F TEMPERATURE FURTHER IMPEDED OIL CIRCULATION. COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED. VEHICLE DISABLED. ENGINE SHORTBLOCK WAS REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Seat Belts

ODI #10184453

Incident: February 16, 2007 · Filed: March 7, 2007

THE SEAT BELT ON MY 2001 SAAB 93 WILL NOT WORK. I AM UNABLE TO PULL THE STRAP OUT FROM THE SIDE OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL SAAB DEALER THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $700.00 TO FIX. MY CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD, NOT ONLY DID THE SEAT BELT STOP WORKING BUT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3200.00. ALL OF THESE REPAIRS SEEM TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COST AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF MONEY. I THINK THAT SAAB SHOULD REPAIR AT THE VERY LEAST THE SEAT BELT WHICH I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING WITHOUT. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10166312

Incident: August 23, 2006 · Filed: August 23, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED GASOLINE LEAKED ONTO THE ENGINE DUE TO LOOSENED FUEL LINES ON THE FUEL PUMP. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 06V126000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM

Other Saab 9-3 Convertible model years

Check your 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saab 9-3 Convertible at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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