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Electrical systemPart report

2004 Saab 9-3 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
6%of 207 total for the year
Median mileage
53,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Saab 9-3, 6% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,500 miles. 1 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.

“I have a 9-3 Saab everytime I stop and turn car off when I get back in a put key in I get a steering wheel lock contact Saab dealer it won't even let me turn the key I have the car for about years and now it's doing this I have to disconnect the battery and reconnect for the computer reset and restart me car can you help me with this thank you .....”

NHTSA complaint #10809960, filed 2015-12, 146,000 miles

“While driving, without any warning the car engine stalls. No warning at all!! Once it stops, ignition key won't work. The only way to restart the car is to disconnect the battery. This is all done in the emergency shoulders, breakdown lanes, its also happened on the highway exit ramps. Luckily each time there was a place to pull over. We could get killed. It has happened numerous times . Sometimes it stalls 2-3 times a day. I am so disappointed in this car. I am afraid to drive it, and how can I sell it knowing that something bad could happen to the new owner.”

NHTSA complaint #10894074, filed 2016-08, 1,855 miles

“My car stalls while accelerating or deacelerating and the cannot be restarted. Dealer now has the auto and has indicated it is the main module and cannot be repaired. The car is a 2004 Saab convertible 2.0t 9 3. The car was leased on april 23, 2004. Although the manurfacturer's warranty indicates repair or replace, the dealer does not want to replace the vehicle. They actually would like me to have the lease terminated and to roll the last three payments into a new lease with a new car.”

NHTSA complaint #10163020, filed 2006-07, 31,224 miles

“Car instrumentation panel turns off while driving. Car acts as if it was off with the red circular alarm flashing, console lights off, clock off, yet I am driving at 50 MPH and the brakes, steering are performing as if I was driving down the road (as I am). Stopped for dinner came out and car did not turn on, light came on, engine light came on but nothing else - could not open trunk from the key fob thing or from the driver side door switch. Called aaa they could not turn the car on and the car battery was charged. Key in ignition and brake depressed did not release car shifter to neutral. …”

NHTSA complaint #10320599, filed 2010-03, 115,000 miles

“The rear driver's side door lock actuator doesn't always lock or unlock using the keyfob. It sometimes clicks like it's trying to lock/unlock, but is always .5-1 second slower than the other doors. It does not have a key slot to unlock the door via a key. The door can be locked/unlocked using the push/pull rod on the interior - until the actuator fully freezes, then it can't be locked or unlocked at all.”

NHTSA complaint #10447864, filed 2012-02, 116,000 miles

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 2004 Saab 9-3

Seat belts
79 complaintsSuspension
52 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2004 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