2006 Saab 9-3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 17%of 179 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,782miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Saab 9-3, 17% of the 179 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,782 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2 incidents occurred. I have owned the car for 1 week and, occasionally on cold starts, when attempting to back up and stop, the brake pedal is hard to depress making braking extremely difficult. Additionally, on occasion, if I accelerate and then attempt to depress brake pedal, the pedal is extremely difficult to depress making stopping difficult. This has almost resulted in an accident during hgh traffic situations.”
NHTSA complaint #10532103, filed 2013-07, 74,689 miles“Found my cap to my brake reservoir cracked open like a tin can above the threads. The plastic literally split in two. The cap still could be twisted on and off easily, but would no longer prevent brake fluid from escaping. Cap will be replaced with a new one. I have heard similar complaints from people with my car possibly related to the heat generated by the turbo. 2006 Saab 9-3 aero 2.8l v6.”
NHTSA complaint #10324056, filed 2010-04, 39,000 miles“My 2006 Saab 9-3 aero has a series of unpredictable braking motions. I have had the braking sensor assembly replaced - however brake pressure and control are unpredictable. Letting up on the brake slowly results in a loss of all brake pressure in a non-progressive fashion. There are also times that only by pushing the brake pedal all the way down to the stop that the car can be held in place when idling.”
NHTSA complaint #10218466, filed 2008-02, 21,200 miles“On july 22nd 2010 at approximately 1500 est, I started my car, a 2006 Saab 9-3 aero sport sedan and placed it into reverse to exit my garage/ driveway on my way to work. As I neared the street I depressed the brake pedal to slow down and enter the street but the brake pedal seemed to be ineffective and I ended up putting the car into neutral and entering the street at an angle. After I had stopped in the street I pumped the brakes and put the emergency brake on and shortly (2min) I was on my way without further incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10405979, filed 2011-06, 58,000 miles“When backing out of my garage this morning the vehicle brakes were very difficult to engage and had to forcibly depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle (which still did not provide full braking force) and avoid running into the parked vehicle behind me. This has been a problem for as long as I have owned the vehicle. Typically occurs whenever the vehicle has been parked for some time (e.g. Over night or during the work day) - just replaced the brake pads and rotors and this had absolutely no positive impact on the problem. Definitely a safety issue that could result in an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10644438, filed 2014-10, 83,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10041585Sep 7, 2011Saab: using by replacing check valve, vacuum pipe can be serviced.
- 10019241Dec 1, 2007Abs, red brake ,svc and 4wd light on hvac blower inoperative. *ak updated 1/30/08.
- 10021408Feb 23, 2007Replacement of speed sensor wiring harness.
- 10019207Feb 17, 2006Abs brake svc and 4wd light on hvac blower inoperative.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 7% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 13 | 8% |
| 2006 | 31 | 17% |
| 2005 | 5 | 5% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 19 | 9% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2006 Saab 9-3
87 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 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