1999 Saab 9-3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 5%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,394miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1999 Saab 9-3, 5% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,394 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When driving on the highway if traffic comes to a sudden stop, braking is horrible. The car does not grip the road it slides. When putting car into drive or reverse, car hesitates for about 30 seconds then jerks into action. The air conditioning system stopped working. The car is literally falling apart piece by piece.”
NHTSA complaint #10018437, filed 2003-05, 62,000 miles“The contact stated the vehicle stalled while driving 45-50 MPH on a snow covered highway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined the recognition cassette module failed. The dealership was not notified. There were no prior problems with the vehicle. The check engine light illuminated at the time of the incident. Updated 11/3/2006 - on 11/24/05 the vehicle's direct ignition cassette failed without warning which caused the vehicle to stall while being driven in the snow. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168364, filed 2006-09, 100,788 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 15% |
| 2002 | 5 | 14% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1999 Saab 9-3
22 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Saab 9-3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology