2004 Saab 9-3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 207 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,888miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Saab 9-3, 2% of the 207 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,888 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.
“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“I purchased a 2004 Saab 9-3 around march 15, 2007. A little over a month ago, I was vacationing in florida when the vehicle would not accelerate. I had it towed to the local Saab dealership in orlando, fl where I was told I needed to purchase a speed sensor. This was done and the cost was approximately $515.00. The day after the repair, I noticed the car continued to have rough and inappropriate shifting. I took it to my local Saab dealership in dublin, oh where a diagnostic was performed. The transmission fluid was changed and the transmission reprogrammed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10234649, filed 2008-07, 72,000 miles“Several months ago I had placed my 2004 9-3 Saab in park and left the car running to get out and turn off my sprinklers. While out of the car the vehicle rolled up the driveway and headed to wards my garage narrowly missing my house. I ran after the car and jumped in the drivers seat just as the car made contact with the garage door. I was able to put on the brake and stop the car before it knocked down the whole garage. I contacted Saab immediately and they had the car checked by their mechanics who said they could find nothing. I know that I had put the car in park before exiting. …”
NHTSA complaint #10269619, filed 2009-05, 48,000 miles“Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Saab convertible 93. The contact stated he bought the vehicle form the dealer on december 11, 2013 the check engine light illuminated when he turned the igination on at the dealer and it remained on. The mechanic diagnosed it was an igination malfunction, and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 107,775.lj”
NHTSA complaint #10556166, filed 2013-12, 107,775 miles“2004 Saab 9-3 convertible. Consumer states issues with fuel tank and sensor the consumer stated the engine light illuminated as well as the greenbox malfunction light due to the vehicle not having the latest software. So, the dealer had to perform the sps of the transmission control module to update to the newest software. The consumer was informed that because he ran the vehicle on low fuel, it shorted out the fuel sensor. The consumer also stated when he first purchased the vehicle, the engine light illuminated due to a faulty fuel pump.”
NHTSA complaint #10391938, filed 2011-03Related service bulletins
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10011995Jan 1, 2004Automatic transmission sprintiness in drive and jerkiness with shift up.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 7 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 32 | 15% |
| 2002 | 5 | 14% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 3 | 5% |
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 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 29, 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