2006 SAAB 9-3 Vector 1.9 diesel

Summary:

Most unreliable car I have ever owned

Faults:

In-Warranty: front doors rattled.

In-Warranty handbrake failed - charged for re-adjustment, told it was not part of the warranty.

July 2009 (1 month out of warranty) - handbrake failed, linkage replaced, cost £282.89. Mileage 42,439.

December 2009 - gear shift mechanism seized. New mechanism fitted, cost £363.40. Mileage 47,478.

February 2010 - Fly wheel broke, damaging clutch slave cylinder. Being repaired as I write. Estimate cost of repair £1200.

General Comments:

Very unreliable mechanics.

Appears to be designed to fail after the warranty period.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 19th February, 2010

28th Mar 2012, 14:36

Too many Vauxhall / GM parts.

In reply to 28th Mar 2012, 14:36

16th Dec 2025, 23:34

It's logical to see all the flaws mentioned in the review.

This car is built on a General Motors platform and has a Fiat engine. In other words, it's 100% contrary to what a true Saab should be.

I'm not the first to say this, but the last Saabs were the 900 and the 9000.

In reply to 16th Dec 2025, 23:34

5th Jan 2026, 17:10

That engine is a product of the collaboration between GM and Fiat, and it's proven to be quite reliable. Besides Saab, Cadillac also used it in their European cars, like the BLS.

That doesn't mean it hasn't had problems in certain cars, like in your case. Anyway, and I'm not the first to say it, after the 2000s, Saabs weren't what they used to be.

2006 SAAB 9-3 Aero 2.8

Faults:

SID flickering - fixed under warranty.

Lumbar support broke - fixed under warranty.

Rear alu sport combi tailgate had corrosion from poor paint finish - fixed under warranty.

Engine has a Hirsch map, it had to be re-Hirsched due to over boosting - under warranty.

Driver's seat doesn't wear well. Lots of rattles from door cards and rear tailgate. Fixed under warranty. I've managed to fix most myself..

General Comments:

Previous cars I've owned are a Mondeo ST220 (226PS) and currently also own a 2001 XKR with the Supersport pack (Brembo, retuned CATS, steering etc).

The car is generally quite quick in the low to mid range. 275bhp with 300lb/ft at 2000 RPM, and 90% of that available from 1500 RPM makes for effortless acceleration.

It is faster than the ST220, but definitely not as stable as the ST220 on autobahns at 100-140mph or as nice to drive. I also have the Hirsch upgraded brakes fitted as well, which still aren't great.

IMHO the car is let down by poor interior build and an overly stiff suspension.

A good car let down by cost cutting.

Fuel consumption is good though. I easily get low mid 30s at UK motorway speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 28th April, 2009

2006 SAAB 9-3 Cerulean Aero Convertible 2.0T with Hirch

Summary:

Poor build, good fun

Faults:

Rattles from dashboard.

2 new dash air vents.

Roof lining replaced due to a cable tie wearing a hole in it.

General Comments:

Good to drive for a convertible, quick, quiet, needs 2 new tyres at 13000 miles. nice colour.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 27th April, 2007

2006 SAAB 9-3 Vector Sport 1.9 TiD turbo diesel

Summary:

An excellent car, ignore the "reliability" issues, 90% of these cars are fault free

Faults:

Drivers door speaker slightly loose. Tightened up and sounds great again! No rattles.

That's it.

General Comments:

I read a few reviews on here about the build quality and rattles, seats being uncomfortable etc etc, and couldn't disagree more! I have done over 12,000 miles in the car, and had no issues at all really!

The seats are the best I have sat in, and are comfortable on very long journeys too. I think these people who can feel the metal subframes through the seat have weight issues!

The car performs very, very well, with over 50 MPG economy and very good acceleration, cruising ability and refinement.

The ride/handling balance is spot on, comfortable yet fun to drive harder when the road gets twisty.

Standard equipment is excellent. I love the very good dual zone air-con, and find the cruise control very useful and relaxing for long journeys. The audio is very good, and I can plug my iPod in the front.

The leather still looks like new, as I had the car protected inside and out with Superguard, which seems to have made a big difference in the durability of the materials and paintwork!

The 6-speed gearbox is notchy, but people moan about that, why? It has a positive and mechanical feel that doesn't spoil the fun of driving, it actually adds to it!

The dealer I use is the best I have ever been to. They are the 2nd best dealer in the country and it shows with the service. I would recommend Bell and Colvill in West Horsley to anyone!

I recommend this well made, fun, practical, good looking, good value, stylish, individual car to anyone.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th November, 2006

30th Nov 2006, 08:38

I'm sorry, but the audio on this car is NOT very good, maybe you have problems with your hearing on balance with those who have weight issues!

30th Nov 2006, 09:59

Yeah.. about as individual as a Vauxhall Vectra, but all in all, I can't grumble too much about my 9-3 so far as only had for two Months and only covered 4000 miles.

My last 9-3,company provided, was a late 2004 model which mechanically (150tid) was faultless and ultra reliable and retained great performance and mpg over the 58k it clocked up. I can only hope the rest of it on this revised 2006 model fairs better than the last one in other areas, which sadly, most reviews on these pages mirror accurately.

In my opinion, the "old" dash design with all those buttons and top dash mounted display was one of the cars ergonomic plus points, now more euro standard and less unique and I had hoped the sound quality of the audio would have been addressed.. better, but still below par in this price range of car.

It does feel somehow better screwed together than my previous 9-3, and hope the premium feel remains and keeps me happy because to look at, simply awesome!!!

Don't let me down Saab, becuase I wanted to give you a second chance over other cars at a similar price and "status" I could have chosen.. fingers crossed xx.

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