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Saab 9-3Model year report

2002 Saab 9-3 Problems

Complaints
37filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,000miles, 31 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Saab 9-3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-3. The part named most often is electrical system, with 14 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling (6) and fuel system (6). 31 of the complaints include a mileage, and 29% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 52 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the module, 1 NHTSA investigation and 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Engine (1), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “I just purchased my 2002 Saab 9-3 from karz and more in longview wa. In november 2012 and drove about one mile went into a store came out and the vehicle would not start. The thermostat and the ignition coil pack were bad. Replaced the thermostat just once and the ignition coil pack twice. Car is still not running I have died on the freeway, in town, too many times to even count the car will start with a jump but wont run for very long before it dies. Frustrated and at my witts end! Had a full diagnostic....showed nothing no one seems to know the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10598054, filed 2014-06, 139,702 miles

Engine cooling: “On 1/26/07 the water pump of my car was replaced because it was leaking. I have come to realize this is the third time the water pump needed to be changes. It was also changed by the manufacturer/dealer on 11/10/04 & 2/25/03. Hence the car has gone through three water pumps in 44510 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10199804, filed 2007-08, 44,510 miles

Fuel system: “My 2002 Saab 9-3 convertible starts fine once it start moving goes off,then I starts it again,then when I stop it goes off and keep on doing it again and again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10667622, filed 2014-12, 92,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Transmission failed at 45 MPH. Consumer stated transmission locked up. Consumer but managed to pull vehicle to the side of the road. No accident occurred. This incident occurred several times before. Consumer had vehicle towed to a dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10118876, filed 2005-04, 36,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

29% of the 31 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 48,000 and 98,000 miles.

6%0–103%10–2519%25–5029%50–7516%75–10019%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (31 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

’03’056’07’09’11’14’16’23
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 2002 Saab 9-3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
9-3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual203024$3,400
9-3 FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182721$3,900
9-3 Viggen FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual172620$4,100
9-3 Viggen Convertible FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual172620$4,100

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

Recall details for the 2002 Saab 9-3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 52 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 52 bulletins →

Other model years of the Saab 9-3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20113090,0003—2327 · FewerFalling
20103050,0003—2345 · TypicalRising
20094366,2502—2255 · TypicalStable
200818476,0002—2088 · MoreFalling
200715564,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200617940,0002—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20059560,0002—22Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200420772,0005—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200321249,0004—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20023763,0004—21Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20015972,0004—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20005093,5592—21Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19996479,5703—20Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Saab 9-3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Saab 9-3 have?

NHTSA recorded 37 consumer complaints for the 2002 Saab 9-3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Saab 9-3 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 14 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.

Has the 2002 Saab 9-3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Saab 9-3 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Saab 9-3 (9-3, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Saab 9-3 reported?

Among the 31 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,000 miles and the middle half falls between 48,000 and 98,000 miles; 29% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.