2002 Saab 9-3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 16 of 46 complaints (35%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 83 in 2001 to 46 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,900 | 2,850–3,700 | 3,250–3,900 | 2,700–3,700 | 2,600–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–22 | 21–22 | 20–24 | 21–23 | 20–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 23–27 | 18–19 / 25–28 | 17–20 / 26–30 | 18–20 / 27–29 | 17–20 / 25–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 404–444 | 404–423 | 370–444 | 386–423 | 370–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 62 | 83 | 46 | 212 | 207 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 10 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Saab 9-3 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Saab 9-3?
Electrical: 16 of 46 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Saab 9-3?
EPA estimates $3,250–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 20 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.3L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 07V087000 · Mar 8, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE · Campaign 05V399000 · Sep 14, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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 THEIR VEHICLES IN TO THE DEALERS TO HAVE THE IDM REPLACED BY LETTER DATED MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · Campaign 04V557000 · Nov 23, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY · Campaign 01V314000 · Oct 9, 2001
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.
Consequence: THE NUT COULD LOOSEN AND FALL OFF RESULTING IN A SUDDEN REDUCTION OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.