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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2003 Saab 9-3 Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
3%of 212 total for the year
Median mileage
44,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2003 Saab 9-3, 3% of the 212 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“My Saab has had a litany of problems since I have owned the car. It all started with little items. Ignition wouldn't start the car. Head lights burnt out. Dash peeling, door handles discoloring, emergency brake getting stuck and being able to operate my car. Engine warning light because my gas cap wasn't on correct. Steering wheel locking while I was driving. Wheel lock light remaining on while I was driving. Brakes replaced due to factory retro fit. Seat belts being recalled. Computer constantly needing to be replaced so the car would function. …”

NHTSA complaint #10125939, filed 2005-06, 32,000 miles

“After putting the vehicle in park engine revved at a high rate, causing vehicle to hit a wall. Consumer sustained injuries. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10087107, filed 2004-09, 13,000 miles

“When accelerating from 55 to 65 MPH in the passing lane with the cruise control engaged the vehicle continued to accelerate up to 90 MPH. Consumer applied the brakes hard to reduce the speed down to 70 MPH, but the vehicle continued to accelerates up to 95 MPH. Consumer reapplied the brakes and got the vehicle down to 10 MPH when he shifted the vehicle into neutral and turned the vehicle off. A fire has temporary develop in both front wheels and extinguish itself within 5 minutes. Consumer got back into the vehicle and drove the vehicle to the dealer. …”

NHTSA complaint #10117374, filed 2005-04, 50,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Saab 9-3. When the contact turned the vehicle, the instrument panel indicated that there was a gear box malfunction. The warning light dimmed a few days later. Afterwards, the contact experienced acceleration failures. After idling at a traffic light, it was difficult to accelerate. The vehicle would also shift uneasily. While attempting to merge onto the freeway, the vehicle would not pick up speed and allow her to shift gears. The contact was concerned that the lack of acceleration could cause a crash while merging into traffic. …”

NHTSA complaint #10242660, filed 2008-09, 38,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 93 Saab. The engine lost power without warning, and when attempting to restart the vehicle the steering function was lost as well. The onstar indicator read that the steering and engine were malfunctioning. On eighteen occasions the Saab dealer was unable to diagnose the failure ,and refused to purchase back the vehicle. Also, the dealer stated that the vehicle was operating normally. On march 16, 2007, the vehicle was parked and accelerated without warning and drove into a cement wall. After the recent failure Saab's diagnosis was to replace the fuel pump. …”

NHTSA complaint #10185587, filed 2007-03, 57,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201013%
200842%
200743%
200663%
200533%
200421%
200363%
200112%
200012%
199912%

Other parts of the 2003 Saab 9-3

Electrical system
46 complaints
Suspension
42 complaints
Engine cooling
32 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
32 complaints
Fuel system
20 complaints
Brakes
19 complaints
Steering
18 complaints
Air bags
15 complaints
Exterior lighting
13 complaints
Seat belts
12 complaints
Equipment
9 complaints
Body and structure
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 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