2001 Saab 9-3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2001 Saab 9-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.
2001 Saab 9-3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2001 Saab 9-3 recalls 4
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
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.
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 THE…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG ALERT LABELS MAY NOT BE PERMANENTLY AFFIXED AS REQUIRED BY THIS STANDARD.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE SUNVISOR SURFACE AND APPLY A NEW AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON BOTH SUNVISORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAA…
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2001 Saab 9-3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2001 Saab 9-3 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2001 Saab 9-3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2001 Saab 9-3 — ranges cover the 6 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
FUEL LINE LEAKAGE Closed
ON NOVEMBER 19, 2004 GM NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTIONS IN APPROXIMATELY 17,400 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001 AND 2002 SAAB 9-3 PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT AT THE UUSIKAUPUNKI, FINLAND ASSEMBLY PLANT BETWEEN MAY 2000 AND JULY 2002 (GM RECALL NO. 14101, NHTSA RECALL NO. 04V-557). ACCORDING TO GM, PLASTIC FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED…
NHTSA #RQ05003 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened Dec 2005 · closed Apr 2006ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM "CASSETTE" ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE IDM FAILURE. DURING PE05-017, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED…
NHTSA #PE05017 · Electrical System · opened Apr 2005 · closed Sep 2005An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 9
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT; ANALOG ONSTAR DEACTIVATION. *PE UPDATED 2/17/09. *PE
Bulletin 08089-B · Electrical System, Equipment · Nov 2008BUICK\CADILLAC\CHEVROLET\GMC\HUMMER\OLDSMOBILE\PONTIAC\SAAB\SATURN SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT-ANALOG ONSTAR DEACTIVATION. FCC RULED IN 2002 WIRELESS CARRIERS WOULD NO LONGER RE REQUIRED TO SUPPORT…
Bulletin 08-089 · Equipment · Jun 2008NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. *KB
Bulletin 2102554 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TURBO CONTROL VALVE. *EH
Bulletin 2912494 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004NEW FAULT DIAGNOSIS FOR IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE, TRIONIC 7. *TT
Bulletin 2482427 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2004ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT
Bulletin 632 · Suspension · Dec 2002ON SOME VIGGEN MODELS FROM M99 TO M01 VIN 17016680, THE OUTER BRACKETS OF THE REAR SPOILER CAN WARP, CAUSING THE SPOILER TO VIBRATE AND RATTLE. *TT
Bulletin 8452282 · Structure · Sep 2001SOME CONVERTIBLE MODELS UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN 17004113 MAY EXHIBIT A SOFT TOP THAT MAY STOP HALFWAY DURING CLOSING OR OPENING AND THE SID UNIT SHOWS A CHECK SOFT TOP MESSAGE. *TT
Bulletin 8112295 · Structure · Jul 2001SUBJECT REGARDING NEW UPDATE KIT FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TT
Bulletin 471 · Power Train · Mar 2001Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 9-3. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 3
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2001 Saab 9-3. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Fuel System
On certain Saab 9-3 convertible and 9-3 Viggen vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. 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. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure…
Transport Canada #2006095 · Apr 2006Electrical
Certain 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder gasoline engines, and 2001-2003 9-5 models equipped with 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. Overheating of the IGBT occurs most o…
Transport Canada #2005271 · Sep 2005Fuel System
On certain Saab 9-3 convertible and 9-3 Viggen vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production. 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. Correction: Dealers will install a bracket that will secure…
Transport Canada #2004427 · Dec 2004Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Saab 9-3
The Saab 9-3 is a compact executive car initially developed and manufactured by the Swedish automaker Saab.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.