2001 Saab 9-3: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2001 Saab 9-3: 4 recalls, 59 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #01V168000 · 2001 · 43,073 vehicles
What's wrong: 208, "occupant crash protection." the air bag alert labels May not be permanently affixed as required by this standard.
Why it matters: These vehicles do not comply with the requirements.
The fix: Dealers will clean the sunvisor surface and apply a new air bag alert label on both sunvisors. Owner notification began July 30, 2001.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V557000 · 2004 · 17,394 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Why it matters: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel May ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on March 14, 2005. Owners should contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Electrical Vehicle recall #05V399000 · 2005 · 103,202 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #06V126000 · 2006 · 11,886 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.
Why it matters: Over time, this could cause the fuel lines to loosen from the pump resulting in fuel leakage. If an ignition source were present, the fuel May ignite resulting in a vehicle fire.
The fix: Dealers will develop a securing bracket that will secure the fuel lines to the fuel pump even if the plastic retaining tabs should break. The recall began on May 12, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (23): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), electrical failure (6), warning light on (5).
- Engine & cooling (14): the most common themes are warning light on (6), stalls / loses power (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Fuel system (13): the most common themes are leaks (9), fire / smoke (3).
- Airbags (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2001 Saab 9-3 has 59 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 14 9-3 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 96). Complaints peaked in 2005 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 72,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2000 (50 complaints, 2 recalls), 2002 (37 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2001 Saab 9-3.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2001 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2001 Saab 9-3. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2001 Saab 9-3 problems?
Owners have filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (23), engine & cooling (14), fuel system (13).
What gas mileage does the 2001 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2001 Saab 9-3 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.