2001 Saab 9-3 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 27%of 59 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Saab 9-3, 27% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Excessive leaking. Was driving on e-way and engine stopped or something occured where it sounded as if the car turned off. The battery was working but, when I pressed on accelerator it didn't propel forward. I carefully steered with hazard lights to side of the road. Ignition cranks but, car won't turn over. Replaced direct ignition coil, crankshaft sensor but, issue seems to be the fuel pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11180926, filed 2019-02, 119,800 miles“When I changed the battery of the car key, its doors and trunk stopped lock and unlock. The belt of the gas tank was broken also. I replaced also the fuel tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10903028, filed 2016-09, 114,000 miles“Nhtsa campaign id # 04v557000 and 06v126000 are recalls which necessitated Saab to inspect the fuel pump brackets. The 2001 Saab 9-3, which I own, was first repaired because the fuel lines were corrupted and caused fuel to pump out into the open on top of the gas tank. This was repaired under warranty and was not under recall at that time. Much later, I received a recall notice for an inspection of the fuel pump bracket to make sure the a new bracket had been installed. These two inspections required the lowering of the fuel tank. …”
NHTSA complaint #10236004, filed 2008-07, 75,000 miles“While driving my car, I smelled gas and when I got it back to my job site, I looked underneath to see gas leaking from under my car. I called my garage and they had to tow it in due to the safety issues. They put in a new seal and snapped the fuel line back together becasue they couldn't find anything else wrong with it. 3 weeks later, I'm driving my car again and smeelled gas again. I pulled over somewhere safe and looked under only to find gas leaking again. I called my garage and had it towed a second time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10132842, filed 2005-08, 61,000 miles“We had our car in for warranty work in the fall but the service provider needed to order parts that needed to be replaced. We were concerned because the parts would not arrive, and we couldn't get to authorized service provider until after warranty expired. They told us no problem this would be covered under warranty because we were there prior to warranty expiration. They never called to tell us parts had arrived (we live over an hour away from service provider) and they're not open on weekends so difficult to get to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10112044, filed 2005-02, 38,000 milesRelated recalls
- 06V126000Apr 20, 2006On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.Covers: Saab 9-3 2001
- 04V557000Nov 19, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump retaining tabs holding the fuel lines were damaged during production.Covers: Saab 9-3 2001–2002, 9-3 Convertible 2001–2002
Related service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 8% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 9 | 9% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 20 | 9% |
| 2002 | 6 | 16% |
| 2001 | 16 | 27% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2001 Saab 9-3
23 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 29, 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