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Electrical system

2002 Saab 9-3 Electrical problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2002 Saab 9-3's electrical system with NHTSA - 38% of all its complaints, most recently on February 16, 2023. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
14
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical recalls for the 2002 Saab 9-3

Electrical system: module

05V399000103,202 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of the isolated gated bipolar transistor (igbt) within the ignition discharge module (idm) due to increased susceptibility to electrical loads.
The risk
Overheating of the igbt occurs most often at engine start-up, but it may also occur while the engine is running. Engine stalling may occur, which could result in a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect to see what version idm is in the vehicle and replace the idm if it is a version built prior to the introduction of qp3. An interim letter will be mailed to owners in october 2005, informing them of the condition. Parts are now available and owners will be notified to bring their vehicles in to the dealers to have the idm replaced by letter dated march 13, 2006. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

Electrical complaints

Electrical system

The soft top is faulty and the rear lights are as well.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11507579
SteeringElectrical systemFuel system

Saab 9-3 2002 frequently will not start even though it has new battery and newer alternator- may be ignition discharge module.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10838086
Electrical system

I just purchased my 2002 saab 9-3 from karz and more in longview wa. In november 2012 and drove about one mile went into a store came out and the vehicle would not start. The thermostat and the ignition coil pack were bad. Replaced the thermostat just once and the ignition coil pack twice. Car is still not running I have died on the freeway, in town, too many times to even count the car will start with a jump but wont run for very long before it dies. Frustrated and at my witts end! Had a full diagnostic....Showed nothing no one seems to know the problem. Its ran about a week since I have had the car ugh! *Js

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10598054
Electrical system

My dic failed for a second time! I hear its an extremely common issue with these vehicles. *Js

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10598027
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

I have a 2002 saab 93 and the dic cassette on those car always good bad. They are defective there was a recall on those cars and I called the dealer and asked them and they said there wasn't no such recall, they denied it because the parts is expensive. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10408441
Electrical systemEquipment & accessories

The saab 9-3 2002 stalled suddenly while idling on an exit ramp on the highway. The car failed to restart and had to be towed. The ignition module had been replaced 4 years early as part of a prior recall. The car is current at a gas station and the mechanic has diagnosed that the replaced ignition module has again failed. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10361921
Electrical system

The check engine light came on at approximately 79,900 miles. Upon diagnosis by the saab dealer, they said the ignition cassette was failing. Replacement was necessary as when the part ceased to function the car would not run. This is the fourth time this part has been replaced. : Dates the ignition cassette was replaced -- 6/30/08 (82,903 mi), 3/21/07 (56,231 mi.), 12/15/05 (32,671 Mi.), 8/17/04 (18,720Mi.). The replaced part is available. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10233062
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

This car has died 3 times while driving and required a tow. The first time the ignition module was replaced for free (recall). The 2nd time the car mysteriously re-started before the tow truck arrived. The most recent incident resulted in a tow to the nearest dealer and the (defective) throttle body being replaced at a cost of $714. Also, the catalytic converters had to be replaced (non-warranty) after the ignition module (recall). At approx. 118,000 Miles the transmission was replaced. *Tr

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 10200472
Electrical system

Saab information display (sid) is losing its pixels and is unreadable. This is the second time unit has failed. The first was replaced under warranty in may 2005. Sid provides engine information and maintenance updates as well as general information such as time, radio/cd player operation ,and hands free telephone (constar) information. I have not replaced the second unit since it was approximately $400 to replace and required a saab certified technician with special equipment to mate with the car. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10196154
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Dt*: the contact stated the air conditioner and the defroster has been repaired multiple times due to a sensor problem. The engine was replaced a few months ago but the replacement engine was noisy.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10168526
Electrical system

2002 Saab 93, manufacturer refuses to reimburse consumer. *Kb the ignition discharge module broke while driving. The consumer had the repairs made before the recall was received. The consumer was assured he would received reimbursement within 60 days (recall 05v399000). *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10162629
Electrical system

2002 9-3 Saab stalled on 2 different occasions while driving. *Ts the consumer requested reimbursement since he discovered the problem he experienced was recall related. *Jb updated

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10155191
SuspensionElectrical systemEquipment & accessories

Dt: the consumer was driving slowly suddenly the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair facility. They replaced the ignition module. *Jb the vehicle stalled suddenly and without warning. The radio and cd player stopped working. The consumer heard tire noise. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who determined that the tires were cupped and causing the vehicle to pull to the right. The alignment was ok on the front but the rear could not be adjusted, the pirelli tires were changed to yokohama but the vehicle continued to pull to the right. *Nm

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10121404
Electrical systemFire

My 2002 saab 9-3 stalled in traffic and could not be started again. The direct ignition module had burnt out suddenly, and smoke was seen coming out of the connector when I tried to start the car. The module failed with no warning at all, and I was lucky to have been in heavy, but slow traffic. The module was replaced and the car is running. The car has less than 50,000 miles on it, so the sudden failure of such a critical component is surprising and disconcerting. I have little faith that this will not happen again, without any warning.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10116082

Saab 9-3 electrical complaints by year

9-3 electrical problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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