2001 Saab 9-3 vs 2003 Saab 9-3
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2001 Saab 9-3 | 2003 Saab 9-3 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 59 | 212 |
| Recall campaigns | 4 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 54 | 92 |
| Investigations | 2 | 4 |
| Crash reports | 1 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 1 | 6 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–22 | 21–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 72,000 mi | 52,683 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Saab 9-3 | Saab 9-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 23 | 46 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | 32 |
| Suspension | 1 | 42 |
| Power Train | 1 | 32 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 13 | 16 |
| Air Bags | 4 | 15 |
| Steering | 0 | 18 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 12 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 8 | 43 |
| Loss of power | 5 | 10 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 9 |
| Clunking / rattling | 0 | 8 |
| Rust / corrosion | 0 | 8 |
2001 Saab 9-3
2003 Saab 9-3
Compare all Saab 9-3 vs Saab 9-3 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.