Saab 9-3 ConvertibleModel year report

2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible Problems

Complaints: 24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage: 70,500miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls: 1campaigns on record
Trend: StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating: —overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy: 22 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible. The part named most often is electrical system, with 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and engine cooling (3). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 70,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the hoses, lines/piping, and fittings filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Electrical system8 33%
Fuel system6 25%
Engine cooling3 13%
Brakes2 8.3%
Tires2 8.3%
Transmission and drivetrain2 8.3%
Wheels2 8.3%
Air bags1 4.2%
Seat belts1 4.2%
Suspension1 4.2%

Example complaints

Electrical system: “Had the engine light on for three months then I was driving on the highway yesterday and suddenly the engine wouldn't take gas. I was able to pull over off the highway slowly and it stopped completely after I made the exit. The mechanic told me that I need a new ignition cassette! So dangerous!”

NHTSA complaint #10536926, filed 2013-08, 86,500 miles

Fuel system: “The vehicle has a fuel leak. The fitting that goes on the fuel pump is cracked. When the vehicle leaked it would run along the gas line which was near the exhaust pipe. The heat from the exhaust could cause a fire if contact was made.”

NHTSA complaint #10097868, filed 2004-11, 35,200 miles

Engine cooling: “While driving on expressway, motor failed due to lack of oil circulation brought on by plugging of oil pump intake screen from degradation of oil, due to design of Saab 9/3 that cooks oil in turbocharger and catalytic converter directly beneath oil pan. Contributing factors long oil change interval, (10,000 Saab recommendation), vehicle had 8,000 miles since last oil change. Also -3*f temperature further impeded oil circulation. Complete engine failure resulted. Vehicle disabled. Engine shortblock was replaced at dealership”

NHTSA complaint #10191644, filed 2007-05, 91,526 miles

Brakes: “The seat belt on my 2001 Saab 93 will not work. I am unable to pull the strap out from the side of the car. I took it to my local Saab dealer they told me it would cost $700.00 to fix. My car is only 6 years old, not only did the seat belt stop working but the ABS system needs to be replaced at a cost of $3200.00. All of these repairs seem to be a safety issue that cost an excessive amount of money. I think that Saab should repair at the very least the seat belt which I am currently driving without.”

NHTSA complaint #10184453, filed 2007-03

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,500 and 89,000 miles.

Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 70,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

Version	Engine	Transmission	City	Hwy	Comb.	Fuel / yr
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	19	28	22	$3,750
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	5-speed manual	19	26	22	$3,050
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	18	25	21	$3,200
9-3 Convertible FWD	2.0L 4-cyl	4-speed automatic	19	26	21	$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

04V557000Nov 19, 2004
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Covers: Saab 9-3 Convertible 2001–2002, 9-3 2001–2002
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.

Recall details for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.

10029344Feb 1, 2009Equipment, Body and structure. Saab service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Under certain circumstances control module's analogue inputs may produce invalid signal. This means the soft top's control module…

Other model years of the Saab 9-3 Convertible

Year	Complaints	Median mi	Recalls	Crash ★	MPG	Score (50 = typical)	Trend
2002	9	29,500	1	—	24	—	Not enough data
2001	24	70,500	1	—	22	—	Stable
2000	12	95,000	1	—	22	—	Not enough data
1999	16	76,354	0	—	20	—	Stable

All Saab 9-3 Convertible model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 8 complaints (33% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.

Has the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible (9-3 Convertible, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Saab 9-3 Convertible reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 70,500 miles and the middle half falls between 39,500 and 89,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.