2004 Saab 9-3 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Saab 9-3, 2% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,500 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“This is a serious issue known to NHTSA and GM under pe 08051. It needs to be addressed and a recall issued. Backing out of garage I heard a pop from right front area of car when put in reverse. Drove about 200 feet before I smelled burning rubber. Car became very difficult to steer. I had car towed to independent service garage. It is determined that the right front spring broke and became entangled in front suspension, steering and tire. Had I been going at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour I would have not been able to steer the car to a safe stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #10726587, filed 2015-06, 55,000 miles“I am an owner of a 2004 Saab 9-3ss and it has come to my immediate attention that there may be a fault with the electronic steering wheel lock engagement on this vehicle. I had to take evasive action to avoid a potentially dangerous accident as a direct result of my seering wheel locking up. This happens while driving down a hill. Before the physical lock-up of the steering wheel I depress my clutch getting ready to engage a gear coming out of neutral, the engine magically dies (the RPM?s drop from idle speed to zero, they key is in the ?on? …”
NHTSA complaint #10105635, filed 2005-01, 21,000 miles“The contact owned a 2004 Saab 9-3. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the steering column jammed and resulted in a crash. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. The driver was injured and required medical attention. A police report was field. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10730942, filed 2015-06, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10245395Nov 6, 2023This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing…
Steering: other model years
Other parts of the 2004 Saab 9-3
79 complaintsSuspension
52 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsOther or unknown
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