2003 SAAB 9-3 Linear from North America - Comments

01:09 - It sounds like you rushed into buying this car without checking it out thoroughly. Most if not all of these problems could have been found on a test drive.

I have a 2003 SAAB 9.3 with all the same problems. My radio doesn't work after charging the battery. Needs to be brought to a dealership to have the radio removed to get the codes to reset it. What!!! My list goes on and on. PLEASE if you're thinking of buying a SAAB from GM, don't!!! They all have the same problems.

I posted on Feb 27th and March 10th and wanted to update again. My car has had both input and output speed sensors replaced, twice ($800 total) and the gear box malfunction light came and it's in the shop again. This time the dealer says it's my computer ($600). I also had the gas gauge sensor replaced ($450) I've only owed the car since Nov. 08. I don't know how GM didn't make any money from Saab's, the service alone is a gold mine for them. Love the car when it runs normal, but this never lasts. What a shame :(

I have a 2003 SAAB 9.3 with 120,000! Needless to say, I drove this car A LOT... but with all the usual problems. Right around 100,000 both drivers and passenger window regulators failed. Then the check engine light came on. When I took it to the dealer, I was told that the cold air intake had failed. Fixed for $250.

OK? Next the driver side headlight blew out. Dealer wanted like $300 to replace since it was xenon. ROFL... I changed it myself! Now that I have access to the metro I haven't driven my car in 2 months and it is in stasis. One of these days I will resurrect the 9-3 and get those windows fixed now that I'm employed. For right now, fixing it is cheaper than buying a new car!

I've had mine for 2 years now, and have had some of the problems, but nothing major. It's all the normal stuff like rear brakes etc. I think people are just driving to hard. Just because the logo is Born From Jets, doesn't mean you drive it like that all the time. SAAB 93 2003 LINEAR 90K and still loving it!

We have a Saab 9-3 and a Saab 9-5, both are 2003 models. We're absolutely shocked by all the negative posts on this site. We've been Saab owners since 1986 and have found them to be reliable, safe cars to drive.

I (wife) was in a bad accident six months after we purchased the cars. I was driving the 9-5. A woman struck me on my driver door going approximately 45 mph. Her hit was rather low but imagine the impact. My sister was in the passenger seat. Both of us got out of the car uninjured and the police were absolutely amazed. I was still able to get my cell phone out of the driver side pocket. My driver's seat was moved about two inches towards the center console. The police were sure that none of the other doors would open. But the Saab, being built like a tank, fooled them. All the other doors opened. The damage was $17,000 so it wasn't totaled.

After a fine repair job by a blue ribbon body shop, we kept the car and had no problems with it. Our two Saabs have had regular maintenance and only very few minor things happen. We don't drive them like they were "born from jets". Maybe that's why we have two gorgeous fun cars to drive! :)

22:51 My experience with Saabs has been much like yours (minus the accident - thankfully). My wife & I own 2 Saabs - I own a 2003 9-3 Convertible, and my wife owns a 2006 9-7x, both are incredible vehicles - reliable, comfortable and well designed.

We love our Saabs!

Hi everyone.

I'm sure that none of you has as much experience as I have with different type of Saabs.

I've been working for a used-car dealership located at Orange County, California for less than a year.

We mostly get our inventory from Auto Auctions in California.

As you know, Auto Auctions are the places you would find the worst and dirtiest cars from!

Since then, I've bought more than 10 used Saabs from auctions (Model 9-3, year 2003-2004) and most of them were first year models (2003).

The first Saab I purchased was a 2003 Linear with 96000 miles on it! The car had absolutely no problem but a tiny scratch in rear fender! And I sold it in less than 3 days for $8k. After a month the customer called me and requested to purchase another Saab for his daughter!

The second Saab was a 2004 Arc model with 83000 miles on it. After test-driving it for 500 miles, I noticed a warning of "Low Coolant Level, Refill" and I refilled it and the problem was gone, and never came back again.. anyway I sold that one in 3 weeks for $9k...

The third one was a 2003 Linear with 69000 miles on it. I sold it in 2 weeks.

The fourth on was a 2004 Arc with 84000 miles. Had a check engine light on while I was buying it, but got it fixed for $13.99 gas cap!

Then I got a 2007 Arc with an amazing 63000 miles on it!! (63000 miles in 2.5 years!) The car was a dreams with no problem. I personally drove it for 1500 miles in 3 weeks and finally sold it for 12k. Saab offers 7 years/100000 miles powertrain warranty on its 2007 and newer models.

Then I purchased a 2004 Arc with 97000 miles! After driving for a 1000 miles, I noticed some malfunction with the locking system, and for couple days I couldn't use remote control to lock the doors, however I could use the tiny metal key to open it, and before I even take it to my mechanic, the problem fixed by itself and didn't come back again.

And also I experienced couple convertible 2002 and 2003 9-3s, which I was satisfied with as well.

Right now, I have 2 Saabs ready for sale. 2003 linear with 74k miles and 2004 Arc with 42k miles. Both have been already test-driven and serviced.

My dealership offers 30 days or 1000 miles powertrain warranty, so we should make sure of the cars that we are selling in public in order not to get in trouble by the costumers.

And about maintenance cost, our mechanics do everything for cheap. Not only for us, but also he does for public for the same price. For example replacing front light bulbs including labor for $20 each, replacing brakes and cutting rotors $40 each, transmission service (fluid and filter and labor) :$65...

And finally be aware of these 2 problems in most of 2003-2004 Saabs : the trunk and hood Saab emblems are faded, the interior dash and door handles rubber coating peeling..

Good luck with your new purchase!