2003 SAAB 9-3 Linear from North America - All Comments

Amplifier Broke twice

Stereo Broken

Seat Belts Recalled

Brakes Squeaked

Glove Box Broken

Steering Column Loosened

Door handles Faded

Heat Shield underneath rattled

Doors constantly rattled - 10+ visits to service.

On-star - many attempted repairs - finally gave up and quit service.

Battery died.

Tire blew out at 15K miles.

Rubber coating on dash peeling.

Locks went up and down on their own while driving.

Clutch went to the floor while "auto adjusting".

Headlights burned out twice!

Cruise control broken when brand new.

Front and rear hood and trunk Saab emblem peeled/faded/cracked.

Grease on headliner when brand new.

Black plastic parts on exterior blotched and faded.

I could probably pull my records from files and find more, but you get the picture.

This was all in 2 and a half years. My car was the subject of many a coworker jokes and I was miserable. Thought it was the neatest car for a couple months and it was constantly in the shop. There is now way I could have afforded to drive this car out of warranty and even if I could have it was way too inconvenient.

Having read through all the reviews of the 2003 9-3 Linear's, I'm pretty much with everyone else in that the car is sexy and quick, but is really a junker. I don't even have 30,000 miles on it yet, but have still had to <i>visit the dealership on average every 6 weeks<i>. If I didn't have job flexibility I'd really be up the creek since I travel 20 miles for the dealer! (and p.s., employees at the dealer and have told me this is not unique to this model year.)

So although it looks awesome, and I still have nearly a year left on the warranty, I'm afraid I have to bid it adieu, and sell it to someone else with more time to waste at the dealership. And as for me -- no way I'd <b>EVER<b/> buy a Saab again, and that's what I advise anyone who has admired the car. Back to Lexus/Toyota for us.

2003 Saab 93 is a nightmare. I love the styling and interior comfort, but GM/Saab should be embarrassed by the technical quality of this machine.

I have had, spark plugs replaced, all five seat belts replaced, recalled for engine management campaign (engine would shut off while driving), a burned-out headlamp, both remote key fobs replaced due to programming errors, heat shield and splash guard rattled loose and tore apart on the freeway, brakes blew-out at 27,000 miles, Saab would only give me 200.00 back on a 700.00 brake job, battery died at the same time, rattles and squeaks everywhere, plus more.

Without the warranty I would have been sunk. I still I have spent too much on maintenance and rental car fuel. Currently doing research on trading it in for a Japanese car. How's the Mazda 6?

P.s. This was my replace 93 due to a buy back of an another 93-linear with major computer problems. That must have been the first one off the assembly line, but then they swapped me for the 2nd one.

: (

Mazda 6 has had mixed reliability. If you can go a class down the Mazda 3 is very reliable and actually a significantly better drive than the 6.

It seems, based on all the reviews here, that Saabs are for the true Saab fanatics since I could never put up with such hassles no matter what the car drove like. That's why I didn't get a Mini - too many rattles and other problems according to everything I've read.

Mazda 6 has had mixed reliability. If you can go a class down, the Mazda 3 is very reliable and actually a significantly better drive than the 6.

It seems, based on all the reviews here, that Saabs are for the true Saab fanatics, since I could never put up with such hassles, no matter what the car drove like. That's why I didn't get a Mini - too many rattles and other problems according to everything I've read.

I disagree with your statements. Yes the 2003 9-3 has been a bit problematic, but it isn't as excessive as some here insist. I had a 2003 9-3, totalled by a Chevrolet Suburban from the rear and a Ford Explorer in the driver's side. Police estimated that the Suburban was probably doing 20, Ford 45. I walked away. You can get in your BMWs (The worst ownership experience in my family's history. A company that hasn't yet produced an all 5-star crash test result car.) or luxed-up Toyotas, but I'll take a few quirks and unsurpassed safety. People can come on here and exaggerate their experience by putting a halo over their car or by demonizing it. My 2003 had 50,000 miles on it. Yes one window got stuck and my parking brake wouldn't disengage. The manual gearbox and the mechanical reliability were great. A co-worker loved my car so much that she bought one for her 70 mile commute from ex-urban Detroit. With over 120,000 miles she's very pleased. Unlike Toyota, Ford & VW/Audi, Saab will fix cars out of warranty when they're truly at fault. She still hasn't had a repair bill. I bought a 2006 9-3. At 8,000 miles, not one problem.

Hi.

Not agreeing or disagreeing, but merely reporting the facts. I bought a 2003 9-3 Linear April '06. I initially liked the car a lot and I can forgive a few gremlins as no car is perfect. My previous car was an Audi A3 and apart from a replaced clutch kit, it was perfect.

But. It's now July '06 and the 9-3 has displayed these problems: Engine cut-out twice while entering a busy dual carraigeway. Numerous amount of niggles with the SID software. Peeling dash, handbrake jammed several times and once at a set of traffic lights. Faded door handles, loose side skirt, blowing headlight bulbs, €800 to add 80 watts to the miserable stereo (uses God-awful MOSTnet fibreoptics so Saab have you over a barrel). Other exterior metal/plastic black bits fading (bare in mind there's no sun in Ireland!).

The fuel pump apparently is (another) problem associated with the 2003 9-3. Nothing is under any kind of warranty. Still only 25,000 miles!! Ulp!! Audi! I'm sorry, will you forgive me???

I am currently working on trying to purchase a 2003 Saab linear with 28,900 miles from a Saab dealer. The vehicle is beautiful and it was love at first sight! The dealer is trying to convince me that this car is superior to a Honda or Toyota and as a present satisfied Saab owner I would like to remain loyal. I was reading all of the reviews on this site and now I have mixed emotions on purchasing this vehicle. I do not have a lot of money to splurge on repairs and overall I am seeking reliability over luxury. I understand that vehicles are a wear and tear item and ocasionally do require repairs, but my dealer is 45 miles away from my home address so I probably should do more research so that I am not utterly disappointed on my decision towards a vehicle purchase. Everyone- thanks for all your honesty! Jessica, Melbourne, Fl.

I bought a 2003 Saab 9-3 linear with only 16,000 miles and thought I bought into the deal of a lifetime. I like many of you would be up sh!ts creek if I didn't have such a good warranty. At first the car was a dream... and that quickly changed. First it was the transmission (i needed a totally new transmission) which was replaced for free. Then 4 months later it was the computer within the car that apparently needed to be reprogrammed. At one point every emergency light on the dash was lit up! Then about 3 weeks ago there was a gear shift malfunction due to the computer within the car which needed to be reprogrammed yet again. I just got it back from service center and already the dash screen is saying that the rear headline is out when it isn't! I am at the point where I don't feel safe when driving in this car! I also have negative equity on the car so how do I get rid of it without losing too much $$? Can anyone offer help?

To the party who posted on 23 Dec - push the car off a cliff and claim an insurance write-off! Short of doing something drastic like this, it looks like you'll be stuck with your choice as the resale value on Saabs is truly shocking.

I purchased a Saab 9-3 14 Months ago here in the United States North Carolina, Raleigh and from David O'Neal to be exact. Within this time frame I have had the following issues: traction control times 4 (still might not be fixed) a heavy deep popping/grinding noise from the front end (been in six times for that issues still not fixed) front driver side window framing came apart creating a dent in the door outward from the plastic frame pushing on it, passenger seat belt warning light with no passenger, seat releases for the rear seat snapped (both), clutch assist spring came apart (times 2), shift knob came apart driving down a highway and hit the roof of the car (took 30 minutes to find when I go home and had to glue back in place), passenger side door says it is open even if the door has not been used in weeks (slammed it to get it fixed), alarm failure multiple issues with from not allowing car to start, to not allowing the steering to work, car not wanting to start, replaced the battery after only 36k miles on it, replace both head lamps at 32k miles, needs one fog lamp now waiting till the second goes to save on labor cost, brakes went out at 32k as well ($600 to replace), knobs all faded or pealing, door handles faded, Saab badge faded out at only 2.5 years old, driver side seat lumbar cable snapped, defroster fan stays on no matter the setting, popping sound in speakers (all) when adjusting the volume, I have the key fob replaced three times for CPU issues, on-start is intermittent at best, had the brake recall assist on my model. That about sums up my first year with a Saab. It is now out of warranty and I am looking to sell this one and continue my car ownership with a Nissan Pathfinder. I have tried to receive help from the dealership and they tell me it is not their problem the manufacture should stick behind their product. So, I called Saab went through their craziness. The best Saab could come up with is $1000 cash towards a warranty, or $1500 dollars and all the new buyers incentives that a person would get for purchasing a new Saab without having to beat a dealer up for it. I said not well enough and laughed at the lady for thinking I would ever even consider purchasing a new Saab. At first I thought it was a joke her asking to purchase a new Saab.

Other than those problems this car is great! It has great brakes, good acceleration from 45mph-100mph, and great smooth ride. By far this is the sexiest car from the European line here in the States.

Thanks for taking the time to let me hop up on my soap box and complain about this car as I don't typically complain about much. Any suggestions on what I am entitled to from Saab please let me know.

I have a Saab 9-3 TiD linear for about 18 months now and I keep getting these "engine management" alarms intermittenly. Does or did anyone have these alarms and if so what the heck is wrong cause SAAb don't seem to know as it is intermittent?

My previous car was a Hyundai Accent! You may laugh or scoff, but not once in 7 years did I have ONE problem. No literally not one! Conversely my 93 Linear 03 plate bought from a second hand dealer has encountered many of the faults I read from the other owners... Engine management problems, loosened steering rack, recalled seat belts, front bonnet badge flew off at high speed!, brake light failure more than once on each side, electronic key stopped working (luckily at home),and finally peeling dash (fitted as standard). Luckily most of this was under warranty and saab dealer was excellent with service. But where the Saab reputation... you know the "oh yes it's a Saab" thing comes from I do not know! Back to Hyundai! or certainly something far eastern...

Even though I read many reviews of problems about the Saab 93 I still decided to buy one. My previous car (Acura Integra GS-R) was stolen and stripped to bare metal. I honestly haven't had any problems with my 93 ARC. It runs great, smooth, and powerful. I now have 70,000 miles on it and still running strong. hopefully no major problems occur anytime soon.

Indeed I also own an arc and now it at 50k km and it don't seem to have any problems I read about, beside the back doors central locks sometimes fails. but can eaily taken care of manualy. oh yer

can anyone help the speakers in the car is just not that great its the one with 7 speakers, I added 2 pioneer 6x9 at the back.

All I did was disconected the two 5 inch, which was there already and linked it to the 6x9s. the sound don't seem to be any differnt, maybe an amp will fix that??

OK the qestion is

how do you get better sound for that model without doing too much to it.

Oh my godness... the Saab 9-3 2003 is crap! I've been laughing out loud from these previous comments.

My boss told me not to buy it... his quote: "do you know how to spell Saab? It's SOB as in to CRY!

I can't want to stop making payments on this thing!