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Electrical systemPart report

2001 Saab 9-3 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
23about this part
Share
39%of 59 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Saab 9-3, 39% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Brought my 2001 Saab 9-3 for campaign recall 05v399000 idm to dirito brothers Saab of walnut creek, california. Dealer stated not required to change the idm. If my idm fails at a later date, I could be susceptible to injury or death. Need to know if dealer is required to change idm.”

NHTSA complaint #10485860, filed 2012-11, 89,801 miles

“I was driving to work on the highway from syracuse to cortland to new york when about quarter way their my car shut down right in the middle of the highway and I was almost involved in a traffic accident due to this failure. The failure was a bad direct ignition cassette which caused my car to shut down immediately. Apparently the same part has been used and failing for about 20 years to this date. When I brought the car in for the dic replacement it cost me $500.00 for 5 sec. Of time. …”

NHTSA complaint #10121661, filed 2005-05, 68,000 miles

“Without warning, the vehicle would not re-start once turned off and the key taken out of the ignition. I was unable to turn the key to re-start the vehicle and also heard a thunk sound when attempting to start the vehicle which originated directly below the inserted key. I was able to get the vehicle to the dealership where they diagnosed and corrected the problem under certified used vehicle warranty. The problem was diagnosed that the ignition mounting screw/bolts had worked themselves loose and cause the housing to unseat. The problem was corrected by re-installing the bolts. …”

NHTSA complaint #10152150, filed 2006-03, 75,800 miles

“1) I stopped at home on the way to another appointment. There were no indicators that anything was wrong with the car. When I returned to the garage about 30 minutes later, the car would not start. It made no noise and gave no indication except it was mysteriously completely unable to start. The lights would still turn on, so it was not a battery. I paid to have the car towed to a Saab independent repair shop. Luckily I was not driving the car when it stopped working; it was a complete fluke I had stopped the car for a few minutes. It had started fine the other 3 times that day. …”

NHTSA complaint #10130582, filed 2005-07, 48,488 miles

“Key of Saab 93 (yr 2001) turned to off while driving high speed on highway, due o being lightly hit as passenger reached down for purse. All electric in car went off, was lucky to be able to go on side road since we were on i95 outside baltimore at 4 pm the day before thanksgiving! Key operation appears to pose danger. Saab shop said key was operating normally.”

NHTSA complaint #10100795, filed 2004-11, 44,100 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201013%
200912%
2008116%
2007128%
2006137%
200599%
2004136%
20034622%
20021438%
20012339%
20002346%
19992234%

Other parts of the 2001 Saab 9-3

Fuel system
16 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Saab 9-3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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