While driving on expressway, motor failed due to lack of oil circulation brought on by plugging of oil pump intake screen from degradation of oil, due to design of saab 9/3 that cooks oil in turbocharger and catalytic converter directly beneath oil pan. Contributing factors long oil change interval, (10,000 saab recommendation), vehicle had less than 7,000 miles since last oil change. Complete engine failure resulted. Vehicle disabled. I had it towed to a pep boys location and was informed that the engine lost 2 cylinders and needs to be completely replaced. *Tr
Engine & cooling
Saab 9-3 Convertible Engine problems by year
5 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Saab 9-3 Convertible's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Latest 9-3 Convertible engine complaints
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 saab 9-3 convertible. In 2006, the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign id number 103-7-22538. There were no failures at the time; however, the contact took the vehicle in for service to prevent the recall consequence. In 2007, the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact did not feel the need to file a complaint at that time. Since the beginning of 2009, the vehicle has frequently been stalling and is a major inconvenience. On june 10, 2009, the vehicle...
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was serviced for the stalling issue and the contact was informed that the crank sensor needed to be replaced. He feels that he should not have to pay for services that were performed in 2006, which were supposed to remedy the failures in the first place. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Engine blew do to excessive carbon build up, saab has been aware of this problem since 1999 and offered a extended warranty to original buyers till 8 years and unlimited mileage. To fix, engine has to be replaced. Car only has 100,000 miles. The oil portholes that squirt into the pistons are clogged burning out the cylinders. To fix the concern $4-5,000, if we can use the engine that came with the car, used engines are going for $2-3000 and you cannot buy a new or rebuilt one. *Tr
1999 Saab 93 caught fire while on the ohio turnpike. Seems like the fire originated under the hood in the engine compartment. *Kb (ohio traffic crash report)*jb
While driving on expressway, motor failed due to lack of oil circulation brought on by plugging of oil pump intake screen from degradation of oil, due to design of saab 9/3 that cooks oil in turbocharger and catalytic converter directly beneath oil pan. Contributing factors long oil change interval, (10,000 saab recommendation), vehicle had 8,000 miles since last oil change. Also -3*f temperature further impeded oil circulation. Complete engine failure resulted. Vehicle disabled. Engine shortblock was replaced at dealership
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data