2002 Saab 9-3 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 38%of 37 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Saab 9-3, 38% of the 37 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,100 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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“My 2002 Saab 9-3 stalled in traffic and could not be started again. The direct ignition module had burnt out suddenly, and smoke was seen coming out of the connector when I tried to start the car. The module failed with no warning at all, and I was lucky to have been in heavy, but slow traffic. The module was replaced and the car is running. The car has less than 50,000 miles on it, so the sudden failure of such a critical component is surprising and disconcerting. I have little faith that this will not happen again, without any warning.”
NHTSA complaint #10116082, filed 2005-03, 48,000 miles“The Saab 9-3 2002 stalled suddenly while idling on an exit ramp on the highway. The car failed to restart and had to be towed. The ignition module had been replaced 4 years early as part of a prior recall. The car is current at a gas station and the mechanic has diagnosed that the replaced ignition module has again failed.”
NHTSA complaint #10361921, filed 2010-10, 77,199 miles“The check engine light came on at approximately 79,900 miles. Upon diagnosis by the Saab dealer, they said the ignition cassette was failing. Replacement was necessary as when the part ceased to function the car would not run. This is the fourth time this part has been replaced. : dates the ignition cassette was replaced -- 6/30/08 (82,903 mi), 3/21/07 (56,231 mi.), 12/15/05 (32,671 mi.), 8/17/04 (18,720mi.). The replaced part is available.”
NHTSA complaint #10233062, filed 2008-07, 79,900 miles“2002 Saab 93, manufacturer refuses to reimburse consumer. The ignition discharge module broke while driving. The consumer had the repairs made before the recall was received. The consumer was assured he would received reimbursement within 60 days (recall 05v399000).”
NHTSA complaint #10162629, filed 2006-07, 51,383 milesRelated recalls
- 05V399000Sep 14, 2005Certain passenger vehicles equipped with b205/b235 4-cylinder gasoline engines and b308 6-cylinder gasoline engines may experience overheating and burnout of…Covers: Saab 9-3 2000–2002, 9-5 2000–2002
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Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 11 | 6% |
| 2007 | 12 | 8% |
| 2006 | 13 | 7% |
| 2005 | 9 | 9% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 46 | 22% |
| 2002 | 14 | 38% |
| 2001 | 23 | 39% |
| 2000 | 23 | 46% |
| 1999 | 22 | 34% |
Other parts of the 2002 Saab 9-3
6 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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