Worst 2008 Saab 9-3 Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
AIR BAGS
ENGINE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Saab 9-3.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 70 | — | — | 50,024 mi | |
| ENGINE | 66 | 1 | — | 99,118 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 13 | — | — | 97,446 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 10 | 1 | — | 87,461 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 10 | 1 | — | 66,722 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 9 | 1 | 1 | 76,081 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS | 9 | 1 | — | 58,809 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 | — | — | 75,369 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 | 1 | 1 | 68,483 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 | — | — | 96,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 50,350 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 | — | — | 33,393 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 | — | — | 4,500 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 | — | — | 14,450 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 1 | — | — | 75,000 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 | — | — | 120 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH | 1 | — | — | 55,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 | — | — | 22,000 mi | |
| SEATS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 | — | — | 53,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM | 1 | — | — | 1,500 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 | — | — | 1,500 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 1 | — | — | 400 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 1 | 1 | — | 45,000 mi | |
| TIRES | 1 | — | — | 33,500 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Saab 9-3. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2008 Saab 9-3
2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~142,505 vehicles.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2006-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011, 2006-2009 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 7, 2005, to May 28, 2009, and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2011 Saab 9-3 Convertible vehicles manufactured July 30, 2003, to February 15, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the driver's side front seat belt retractor may break, causing the seat belt webbing not to retract.
Other Saab 9-3 Years
Wider context: See the full Saab 9-3 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2008 Saab 9-3
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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