CarBrief

NHTSA has 184 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Saab 9-3, and the two largest groups are air bags and engine[1][2][3]. The car also has a driver air bag inflator recall that some owners in the complaints we read say they could not get repaired[4][2].

184owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
18–23MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 184 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Five mention a crash, one a fire, six injuries and one a death[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 71
Engine[3] 68
Fuel/propulsion system[7] 13
Electrical system[8] 11
Power train[9] 10
Suspension[10] 10
Seat belts[11] 10

Air bags. The median mileage listed for these complaints is 52,000, and none mention a crash, fire or injury[2]. Some of the air bag complaints we read concern the driver air bag recall, and some of those say the repair part was not available or the dealer could not give a date[2].

Engine. Median mileage at failure is 86,000, and one complaint mentions a crash[3]. In the engine complaints we read, some owners describe stumbling, misfires or lost power when accelerating, often blamed on ignition coils[3]. Others describe hard or rough cold starts, which some owners blame on worn intake valves[3]. These are owner opinions, not confirmed causes.

Fuel system and electrical. In the fuel complaints we read, owners describe rough cold starts, a fuel gauge that reads wrong and a fuel pump fault[7]. In the electrical complaints we read, owners describe headlights or taillights failing or dimming, and ignition coil trouble, rough running or stalling[8].

The power train group has 10 complaints, with one crash, one fire, four injuries and one death[9]. We did not read a sample of those texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions of the 2008 9-3, and all use premium fuel[13][6][14][15][16][17][18]. Combined mpg runs from 18 to 23[19][6].

Version City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
Sport Sedan or SportCombi, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, manual[6][16] 19 / 29 / 23 $3,550
Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, automatic (S5)[17] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,900
Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, manual[13] 18 / 27 / 22 $3,750
Sport Sedan, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, manual[14] 16 / 26 / 19 $4,350
Sport Sedan, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, automatic (S6)[15] 15 / 24 / 18 $4,550
Aero Sedan AWD, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, manual[18] 16 / 24 / 19 $4,350

The 2.0L cars with a manual gearbox rate best, and the 2.8L automatics rate worst[6][15]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gave the 4-door front-wheel-drive version 4 stars for rollover, with a 12.1% rollover risk[20]. NHTSA lists a "C FWD" version as not rated[21]. We have no other NHTSA star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo and a 2.8L 6-cylinder turbo for this model year[13][22]. The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[23].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Convertible FWD[23] 183 in 69 in 56 in 106 in 3,479 lb
Convertible FWD Aero[24] 183 in 69 in 56 in 106 in 3,699 lb
4-door sedan FWD[25] 183 in 70 in 58 in 106 in 3,175 lb
4-door sedan FWD Aero[26] 183 in 70 in 58 in 106 in 3,285 lb
SportCombi wagon FWD[27] 183 in 69 in 57 in 106 in 3,175 lb
SportCombi wagon FWD Aero[28] 183 in 69 in 57 in 106 in 3,285 lb

How 2008 compares with other years

1999: 80 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 62 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 83 complaints, 4 recalls20012002: 46 complaints, 4 recalls20022003: 212 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 207 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 95 complaints, 2 recalls20052006: 179 complaints, 2 recalls20062007: 155 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 184 complaints, 2 recalls18420082009: 43 complaints, 2 recalls20092010: 30 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 30 complaints, 3 recalls2011
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each 9-3 model year. The 2008 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1999803
2000623
2001834
2002464
20032124
20042075
2005952
20061792
20071552
20081842
2009432
2010303
2011303

NHTSA has 184 complaints and 2 recalls for the 2008 model year[5]. Among the years listed for the 9-3, only 2003 (212 complaints) and 2004 (207) have more complaints[5]. The 2006 model year has 179[5] and 2007 has 155[5]. The 2009 model year has 43[5].

On recalls, 2008 has 2, while 2004 has 5 and 2001 through 2003 have 4 each[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2008 Saab 9-3?

This model year has a fairly high complaint count compared with the other 9-3 years, and the largest groups are air bags and engine[5][2][3]. The driver air bag inflator recall carries a risk of serious injury or death, and some owners in our sample say parts were not available, so ask for proof of the repair on any car you consider[4][2]. If you are looking at a convertible, ask about the seat belt retractor recall too[12]. Owners also describe rough cold starts and misfires, so a cold-start test drive and a service history are worth asking for[3]. Combined mpg runs from 18 to 23, and the 2.0L manual cars rate best[19][6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Saab 9-3?
NHTSA lists 184 complaints, with 71 for air bags and 68 for the engine[1][2][3]. In the engine complaints we read, some owners describe misfires and rough cold starts[3].
Does the 2008 Saab 9-3 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two. One is the driver air bag inflator (16V063), and the other is a seat belt retractor on convertibles (14V318)[4][12].
How many miles per gallon does a 2008 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 to 23 mpg depending on engine, gearbox and body style[19][6].
Is the 2008 Saab 9-3 a good year?
Only 2003 and 2004 have more complaints among the years NHTSA lists, and 2009 has far fewer, at 43[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How big is the 2008 Saab 9-3?
The listed length is 183 inches and the wheelbase 106 inches, using Canadian-market specifications[23][25].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 184 owner complaints on file for the 2008 Saab 9-3 (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 71 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 68 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 16V063, filed February 3, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Saab 9-3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 13 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 10 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,900). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 14V318, filed June 12, 2014: Seat Belts › Front › Retractor. NHTSA recall database
  13. EPA rating for 9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for 9-3 SportCombi, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for 9-3 Sport Sedan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S5), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for 9-3 Aero Sedan AWD, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for 9-3 Convertible, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 24 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, C FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA rating for 9-3 Convertible, 2.8L 6-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 26 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,479 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 2DR CONVERTIBLE FWD AERO: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 56 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,699 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 4DR SEDAN FWD AERO: length 183 in, width 70 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,285 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 SPORTCOMBI 4DR WAGON FWD: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,175 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 9-3 SPORTCOMBI 4DR WAGON FWD AERO: length 183 in, width 69 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,285 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.