1999 SAAB 9-3 SE from North America - Comments

Do you really think that late oil change causes engines to cease? com'on! I once had a ford grand torino and didn't have the time or money to change oil regularly. I traveled all across the country and never had a fault. my '98 Saab 9-5 on the other is pampered like a baby, not too much sun, never valet parking, regular oil change and maintenance.

Result: changed gearbox, changed entire engine twice.

I let you make your own conclusions.

The higher operating temperature and higher RPM's of today's 4 cylinder turbo-charged engines REQUIRE frequent oil changes.

Synthetic oil works best.

If you want to stretch oil changes and drive a car into the ground an old V8 Torino would be a better bet.

I am a little upset with my 2003 SAAB 9-3. I have had it going on 2 years now, bought it used with 30 000 miles, all services were done at the dealer by the original owner, had all the paperwork for those too.

First 6 months were a dream until the "scheduled" maintenance at 45 000, cost $460, then again at 60 000 cost $690, and there were odds and ends all in between these services; sensors/calipers/pressure problems etc.

I have tolerated it all, but this morning it wouldn't start. Took it to a local guy to change out the battery after a jump start. Now the check engine light is on and car is in "limp home" mode. FROM CHANGING THE BATTERY??? Now I have to drive it 60 miles to SAAB dealer (can't go over 50 mph in "limp home" mode) so they can take a look at it and "clear the code, if that's all it is" that's what the guy told me. Not to mention he scoffed at me when I asked about a loaner since I can't afford to wait for 5 hours while they take their time. Any suggestions??? Can I take it anywhere else that can just clear the computer for me in a minute or two, or do I HAVE TO go to the SAAB dealer??

Last year I bought a 2006 Saab 93 Sportswagon here in the UK with nearly 10k on the clock. Within a month I thought it was on fire with loads of smoke coming from the engine bay. when the engine stopped, the smoke cleared and didn't restart until a few days later. Now it does it at all kinds of odds times, sometimes on start up sometimes 50 miles into a journey, sometimes just 2 miles into a journey. The smoke is horrid and choking, but I have yet to have it do it when I actually have a mechanic looking at it. Saab say it can 't be anything wrong with the engine or a warning light would come on. Oh, and they say it only needs a service every 18k miles! Anyone have any ideas what this could be?

It's not as much an "oil problem" or even an "owner problem" as much as it is a horrible engineering problem by the rocket scientists... I mean jet engineers at Saab. They are great driving cars... until they break that is. Mostly due to poor engineering of a few major engine and exhaust components and a foolish recommended maintenance shedule from Saab. It IS Saab's fault plain and simple. I've been involved in automotive repair for over twenty years and seen people go WAYYYYYYYY over the recommended oil change schedule without having any where near the adverse effects that these particular cars have had. If anyone would care to wager over the repair bill for my wife's 9-3 I'd be more than happy to take that bet with you that I am right and you are wrong. The BIGGEST problem is that Saab even in it's own customer provided literature recommended using SEMI-synthetic oil at intervals up to 10 thousand miles. I will say though that anyone who has ever spent five minutes around cars knows that you should in a turbocharged car use synthetic oil and change it anywhere from 5-8 thousand miles depending on driving habits and climate. So how many of the effected cars were serviced even at dealers improperly? What about all of the 6 TSB's (yes that's SIX revisions to the PCV systems) Saab has issued for the PCV systems and the Special Policies that Saab has issued for sludge for "some" customers... is that the unsuspecting owners fault? What a load of horse manure from those of you blaming JUST the owners. There's a literal TON of info to wander aimlessly through on the Saab message boards but the only info I'll bother passing along to unsuspecting consumers and potential victims of Saab Sludge is... http://www.saabpros.com/saab/nines/ (I am not related to nor do I have any affiliation with this website but it has a few good articles for the average Joe.) I would NEVER EVER suggest a person to purchase a 98-2002 Saab 9-3 or 9-5 with a 4cylinfer engine unless you have a thick wallet, extremely good credit or the patience of a Saint... you'll most likely need all three. Shame on you Saab... there was a right way and a wrong way to go about this... you chose poorly. Oh... and if any you are curious... Saab denied our sludge claim as well because I didn't have the "proper documentation". Well... I'd like to see the internal documents from Saab that ignored the proper and improper way to design, engineer and build an oiling system and the PCV system on an automobile.

C.S.

It's not as much an "oil problem" or even an "owner problem" as much as it is a horrible engineering problem by the rocket scientists... I mean jet engineers at Saab. They are great driving cars... until they break that is. Mostly due to poor engineering of a few major engine and exhaust components and a foolish recommended maintenance shedule from Saab. It IS Saab's fault plain and simple. I've been involved in automotive repair for over twenty years and seen people go WAYYYYYYYY over the recommended oil change schedule without having any where near the adverse effects that these particular cars have had. If anyone would care to wager over the repair bill for my wife's 9-3 I'd be more than happy to take that bet with you that I am right and you are wrong. The BIGGEST problem is that Saab even in it's own customer provided literature recommended using SEMI-synthetic oil at intervals up to 10 thousand miles. I will say though that anyone who has ever spent five minutes around cars knows that you should in a turbocharged car use synthetic oil and change it anywhere from 5-8 thousand miles depending on driving habits and climate. So how many of the effected cars were serviced even at dealers improperly? What about all of the 6 TSB's (yes that's SIX revisions to the PCV systems) Saab has issued for the PCV systems and the Special Policies that Saab has issued for sludge for "some" customers... is that the unsuspecting owners fault? What a load of horse manure from those of you blaming JUST the owners. There's a literal TON of info to wander aimlessly through on the Saab message boards but the only info I'll bother passing along to unsuspecting consumers and potential victims of Saab Sludge is... http://www.saabpros.com/saab/nines/ (I am not related to nor do I have any affiliation with this website but it has a few good articles for the average Joe.) I would NEVER EVER suggest a person to purchase a 98-2002 Saab 9-3 or 9-5 with a 4cylinfer engine unless you have a thick wallet, extremely good credit or the patience of a Saint... you'll most likely need all three. Shame on you Saab... there was a right way and a wrong way to go about this... you chose poorly. Oh... and if any you are curious... Saab denied our sludge claim as well because I didn't have the "proper documentation". Well... I'd like to see the internal documents from Saab that ignored the proper and improper way to design, engineer and build an oiling system and the PCV system on an automobile.

C.S.

I have been having an issue with my 2004 Saab 9-3 Aero recently. I get in to start it, it try's to turn over but won't start. No warning lights come on during or after. I took it to a local car parts store to see if their computer would read an error code, NO CODE.

Is this something others have been experiencing? I'm at a loss for what to do.

This has happened to me (last poster's) question. It sounds like your gear selector switch is going. I'm not a mechanic, but I understand that this switch tells the ignition that the car's in park. If it's not sending that signal, the car won't start. Next time, try shifting gears and putting it forcefully back into park, then try starting again. I understand replacing this part costs at least $750.

My engine "went bad." I bought my 2000 Saab 9-3 SE used 2 years ago. Last week the engine lost compression in the #3 piston and my mechanic is offering a used engine for $3800. I still owe $5500 on the car so I am now upside down on my loan. I have 104K miles on it but have had synthetic oil changes every 4 months. The car literally died and I was able to limp it.5 mile back to work by continually restarting it. I was greeted with a horrible burning smell. I had it towed to the shop and my best bet is to fix it for 4k or sell it for 2K. I am a student and don't think I want the hassle of additional repairs. I've learned my lesson...don't buy pricey cars until you have a big paycheck.

How much should front rotor and brake pads w/installation cost on a 2002 SAAB 93?

It's not only you guys in the US who have a problem. Six months ago I bought a Saab 9-3 with 67,000 miles on the clock. I got it from a Saab dealership and the car has full service history. I was so pleased with it - it drove like a new car. But yesterday I was on the motorway when the oil light came on. I thought this was strange as I had topped up the oil recently. Suddenly the car juddered to a halt and died. It was very scary - luckily I was driving slowly in the near side lane and was just able to pull over before it died completely. The AA came to rescue me and told me that the engine had seized up. The car is effectively a write-off because it will cost me as much to fix it as replace it. The most annoying thing is that I only bought another Saab because my previous car - an ancient 9000 Turbo with about 160,000 miles on the clock - had been so reliable!

Mike from London.

This may have already been said, but visit www.saabcentral.com and navigate to the 9-5 forum. Everything has been discussed there and will educated you on this car. Sludge issues, repairs, preventative maintenance, etc.

OMG I can't believe we found this site! Our wonderbah SaaB 9-3 2000 just died on us. We were looking at rebuilding the motor and found nothing. I just wanted to say thanks to all that have commented with sound advice...

We won't be buying another SAAB any time soon...