Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Saab 9-3, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 19% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 11% |
| Power train | 4 | 11% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Air bags | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Steering | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The radiator exploded, spewing fluids everywhere, overheating my vehicle without warning when I was driving 45 mph, almost causing a multi-car crash.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO UTILIZE THE SEAT BELT, THE RETRACTOR FAILED AND WOULD NOT OPERATE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE W
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
SAAB 9-3 2002 FREQUENTLY WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH IT HAS NEW BATTERY AND NEWER ALTERNATOR- MAY BE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE.
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9-3. WHILE IN PARK, THERE WERE STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTING FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SAAB 9.3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CABLE SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEED
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR CABLE BROKE. CAN NO LONGER BUCKLE SEAT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
MY 2002 SAAB 9-3 CONVERTIBLE STARTS FINE ONCE IT START MOVING GOES OFF,THEN I STARTS IT AGAIN,THEN WHEN I STOP IT GOES OFF AND KEEP ON DOING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THE IDEA IT WAS COLD,BUT I NOTICED IT
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY DIC FAILED FOR A SECOND TIME! I HEAR ITS AN EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES. *JS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Saab 9-3. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk: 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.
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 SAA
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.
Risk: 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.
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 200
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Risk: 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.
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 JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.
Risk: THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Fix: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 80 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (19%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.