2003 SAAB 9-3 Linear from North America - Comments

Transmission 'slippage' during shifting AKA "engine rev" - dealer attempted repair via SAAB recommended software download.

Transmission 'slippage' during shifting AKA "engine rev" after repair attempt. Dealer replaced transmission valve body.

Front SAAB emblem peeled off in automatic car wash.

Rubber on door handles peeling.

Plastic/rubber on dash excessive wear and scuffing.

Rear SAAB emblem peeled of in automatic car wash.

Front plastic spoiler pops off on right front occasionally.

Information Display on dash 'fried'. Spewed black smoke with acrid electrical smell. Part on order for 3 months. Never received.

Front suspension groaned and creaked excessively in cold weather until car had warmed up for about 20 minutes.

Miscellaneous interior plastic parts ill fitted, frequently popped off.

Periodic hard starts with sputtering.

Transmission acting up again (return of the engine rev)

I really enjoyed this car for about a week. Unfortunately it quickly turned into a nightmare. I use my car for business and clients often commented on the cold weather groans and squeaks and the engine rev due to the faulty transmission. I was actually with a client the day the dashboard information unit went up in smoke. My dealer specialized in used SAAB's and has been little help. I traded the car in to a different dealer last week (no, not a SAAB - never again) after owning it 8 months and made them aware of the litany of problems. Can't wait until my ex-dealer calls to tell me the info display has arrived.

Anyone who complains about the labels peeling off when they drive their car through an automatic car wash really needs to be brought back to the real world--- get out there with a bucket of soapy water and really get intimate with your car- wash it by hand and love it, SAAB built a series of brilliant cars (now-a days it is owned by General Motors- Swedish version) built to be driven in the snow (although it works really well in the out back of Australia). I learned to drive in a 99 GLI and every car after was a disappointment.

The emblems should not peel off, that's unacceptable. However, a car like this should never be taken to an automatic car wash in the first place. You do know it ruins the paint right? Look very close at your paint...

Excluding the stickers do you think that washing this car by hand would have prevented the litany of mechanical problems?

My 2003 Saab 9-3 is The Best Car I have ever owned in any price range, and I've owned well over 20 vehicles in many price ranges over the years.

I think that Saab builds fine automobiles!

There is an AP news story on-line about a man in Wisconsin who has put one million miles on his Saab 900. He used premium fuel & changed his oil with synthetic regularly.

The vehicle has been retired to a museum.

This is the Saab quality that I know & love.

Wait, wait, wait.

You people are saying that car designed and built in Sweden for Nordic winters cannot take an automatic carwash?

This has to be the most ridiculous thing I've heard yet. Brushless automatic carwashes do not hurt the paint, and most quality carwashes are of this type.

I agree that SAAB USED to build cars with build quality second-to-none. However, the aforementioned automobile is a fine example of what General Motors can do to a trusted and iconic automobile corp...the fact that one of the first things the mighty GM did to make Svenska more profitable was cut quality control expenditures and platform share with Opel speaks huge amounts on its own.

... I (and I speak for many SAABophiles) shall never own a SAAB manufactured after 1993...EVER.

As a SAAB technician, I have no problem saying that ever since GM took over, the cars have become much better. They're still crap and I wouldn't buy one myself, but they are much better than they used to be. Of course, anyone who buys any car in it's first model year is going to have teething issues. As of 2005 the 9-3 has actually been on OK car.

If you're thinking about buying a Saab, DON'T DO IT!!! After spending $5500 in 18 months and being told that I now need a new transmission (which may or may not have fixed all of the car's problems), I have gotten rid of my 2003 9-3. I think it might have been the happiest day of my life...

Yes, My handles on the inside of the doors are peeling too - how can this be fixed? Other than that, I LOVE driving my Saab - it is quick and reliable!

Upon personally knowing several SAAB technicians, (main agent and private the like) I am yet to find any of them liking the GM facsimiles over the original cars built under Scania-Vabis. Most of them cringe when a SAABrolet rolls into the Garage. I can't agree more, as my 1991 900T with almost 300k on the clock is still my dependable daily transport, whilst my brother's 9-3 is in the shop ALL THE TIME. Not to mention that the 9-3 has the build quality to make my Grandmother's 88' Oldsmobile proud.

But I digress, This is just my opinion. (even though it is strongly based on empirical evidence)

As a litmus test, just use an overview of this site. Compare the ratio of good vs. bad smiley faces on SAAB 900's made before 1993, and NG900's or 9-3's afterward.

THAT SAYS IT ALL.

I own a 9-3 and am so disappointed. Prior to this car, I owned 2000 9-3 Convertible and proclaimed to all my friends how much I love my car. My 2004 9-3 has been such a let down.

I too have had the front and back seal come off after a rainstorm.

The brakes and tires have gone.

The air conditioning has always smelled musty. Once winter rolled around, the heat stared making really annoying noise.

I also had to get the gear shift knob replaced twice, it kept popping off while I was driving.

Needless to say, I have owned my last Saab! I just feel horrible that my two best friends also bought one on my recommendation.

I own a 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible and it is a fantastic vehicle.

Reliable, comfortable & quick.

No complaints here!

We own a 2003 9-3 Arc and its the worst car we ever owned. Half of the options we should be able to access through the onboard configuration does not work. Automatic wipers do not work. Reverse alert does not work. The cheap soft layer of plastic on the buttons and dash components is chipping and pealing away.

Last, but not least, the final nail in the coffin. The auto-transmission has just stop working all together. The engine will just spin while its in gear. We are never purchasing a Saab product ever again.

Many thanks for all your views, I was just contemplating changing my totally reliable Honda accord for a Saab 9-3, but after reading your views, I think I'll keep my car a little bit longer...