2008 Saab 9-3 power train problems
10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2008 Saab 9-3 — 5% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“at about 98,000 miles the starts to fail transmission fails Also when the car gets too cold in the winter it refuses to start and it is not a battery issue. the cylinders get to cold to start. When the warm weather comes back around it starts again.”
filed Feb 18, 2023
“Significant decrease in average mpg (problem from research online suggests it is from lowered compression from intake valve design/material used). 109700 miles on engine. Meticulously maintained by us navy submariner. Haven't contacted gm or saab affiliate yet. Forums used infer this problem is…”
filed Feb 9, 2020
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be accompanied by a clunk noise. This is a…
08-07-30-026I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 16, 2024
Power Train problems in other 9-3 years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 9-3 | 1 | 3% |
| 2007 9-3 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 9-3 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 9-3 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 9-3 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 9-3 | 32 | 15% |
| 2002 9-3 | 5 | 14% |
| 2001 9-3 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 9-3 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 9-3 | 3 | 5% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2008 Saab 9-3
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.