2003 SAAB 9-3 Vector from North America - Comments

Stopped on 10 freeway, Santa Monica during traffic

Stopped on local street

"Coolant level low" warning...10+ times could not find problem

Dial for infotainment replaced

"On-Star" serviced twice

Driver-side window rolling back down 4"...3 times

Transmission replaced

Door handles fading

Interior's rubber peeling off

Car keys recalled

Seat belts recalled

ESP failure

Changed headlights many times

Gas cap caused "check engine light" to come on

Button on the steering wheel broken

Writings on cruise control lever peeled off

All I can think of at this time; probably more in my file dedicated to service trips to the dealer

Rear and front brakes changed, with rotors.

I fell in love with its design when they first came out. I was contemplating between Bimmer, Benz, and Infiniti G35. Would not have bought the car if I had done my due-diligence and researched on the web. It is fun to drive, but 1-2 trips to the dealer 35 miles away from my house is not worth it. I would rather drive my old Toyota Camry, which I sold prior to purchasing this car, over SAAB any day. I tried to declare this car as a lemon, but dealer denied my request. I will never purchase this car for the rest of my LIFE. For the amount of money I spent for this car, I could have got one with more power and luxury.

Wow! Sorry to read of all of the problems with your Saab.

I own a 2003 Saab 9-3 and it has been a fantastic vehicle.

I certainly think it is very comfortable & refined.

Mine is a convertible, so it is the carry-over version of the older 9-3, as the convertible version of the new platform was released as a 2004 model (sedans were introduced a year earlier).

Based on my experience I personally feel the Saab is on par with the other premium makes you mentioned, and I couldn't be more pleased with mine.

Well, maybe they had higher standards before GM takeover. I don't know the reason why SAAB got so crappy or maybe it was bad from the prior management, but GM should not cut corners to make SAAB profitable. I would not buy any car from GM due to my experience with this car alone. I just cannot understand how GM could put car like this on the market.

I think you could voice similar complaints against almost any make.

I still feel that Saab, even under GM, is one of the better marques out there. Read some of the reviews of other high line cars & you'll see much the same.

I do empathize with you though, yours seems to have been quite troublesome, and not very durable. It most be very frustrating.

Why is it, that the extremely negative reviews seem to generate the most comments???

(And the extremely positive reviewers usually are accused of working for the manufacturers!!!!)

I had the opposite experience with my 2003 Saab 9-3 Linear. I leased it for a year back in 03 and would have to say it was the nicest car I've ever driven - so much so that I have just put a deposit on a 2003 9-3 Vector. Only this time I'm going to keep it.

One thing that I have noticed is that the level of service differs greatly between Saab dealerships. This Vector (being my 3rd Saab) will be serviced exclusively by SSI Thornhill; well worth the extra 20km drive. You might want to try another Saab dealership in your area.