2005 Saab 9-3 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 9%of 95 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the fuel system of the 2005 Saab 9-3, 9% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“Frequently the car stalls suddenly in traffic, looses power I can't accelerate this is very dangerous potential to get hit. The other problem is the car vibrates and all of sudden a lot of smoke comes out from back and rich gasoline smell comes and the speed turns to 0. I turn it off for five minutes and restart sometimes it starts ok sometimes it vibrates again. This happens very frequently”
NHTSA complaint #10955386, filed 2017-02, 190,000 miles“Car stalled. Will not start....I was told there was a recall on the fuel pump. I called and was told I needed the fuel pump part number. I called the dealer that I bought the car from, still making payments, and he said that he could not assist me because he bought the car from an auction. Please help me , I need to get the fuel pump replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10533757, filed 2013-08, 97,141 miles“It happened to me twice.. While driving the gas gauge will drop to empty and when pressing on the gas il just rev there be a cut off due to the fuel level sensor in which it's a common in all saabs I don't know why this issue hasn't become a recall. It's dangerous the cut off is around 2-3 seconds. I almost cause an accident due to the lost of power. I was entering the free way and an 18 wheeler had to switch lanes and passed I was going around 45 MPH merging . The second time I was going 25 MPH and it felt like the engine shut of and gather speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11382978, filed 2020-12, 86,000 miles“In april 2011, when I started my car my engine light came on. I had very little power on acceleration until my car hit 2000 RPM. A diagnostic showed it was a throttle position sensor. First occurrence was six months ago, it has happened at least 20 times since. The car will act like this for 2 days then work normal again. I have to proceed with extreme caution pulling out in traffic. I also take off extremely slow from any full stops I make. It is hit or miss every time I start my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10438728, filed 2011-12, 69,000 miles“The engine on my 2005 Saab 9-3 has failed two times within the first 4900 miles on the odometer. The first failure occurred in june of 2005 and the problem was diagnosed as a throttle body failure. The failure results in the car accelerating extremely slow without any prior notice. The second failure occurred on july 18, 2005 when I was nearly hit making a left hand turn. The same symptoms presented without any indication that there was a failure about to occur. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138156, filed 2005-09, 5,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or…
- 10028986Jun 1, 2008General motors: some vehicles may experience a condition where the fuel tank cap won't tighten properly, or fuel tank cap won't come off, or is broken. These conditions may also…
- 10026807Jun 1, 2008Saab service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Special coverage adjustment-fuel tank filler cap. A condition where the fuel tank cap won't tighten properly…
- 10026607Jun 1, 2008Saab service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Special coverage adjustment-fuel tank filler cap. Vehicle may experience a condition where the fuel tank cap…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 4 | 9% |
| 2008 | 15 | 8% |
| 2007 | 6 | 4% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 9 | 9% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 20 | 9% |
| 2002 | 6 | 16% |
| 2001 | 16 | 27% |
| 2000 | 3 | 6% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2005 Saab 9-3
29 complaintsSeat belts
22 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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