2008 Saab 9-3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 66about this part
- Share
- 36%of 184 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 66 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Saab 9-3, 36% of the 184 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,000 miles. 1 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.
“Just purchase vehicle from a friend 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0t convertible . When I first start up the vehicle (it is now cold outside) the engine is running ruff until it warms up. I understand many other Saab 2008 owners have the same complaint and have read that the intake values used by GM are faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #11160594, filed 2018-12, 129,200 miles“I brought my 08 Saab 9-3 to a shop for a compression test cause it kept stalling when I would go to start it, it's an automatic. I was told my intake valves were wearing down and it's due to gms faulty valves. Yesterday my car started ticking while I was driving and I lost almost all my power, come to find out my valves were about to snap. Now I'm making payments on a car I can't drive and GM refuses to fix this issue and there are multiple cases of this happening to 08-10 Saab 9-3 with the GM factory valves.”
NHTSA complaint #11323555, filed 2020-05, 157,000 miles“I have been having this problem with my car for a while now and couldn't figureout what the problem was. When started from a cold start would take 2 or 3 times to get the car running it would stall out and run really rough. After a number of trips to the shop that maintains my car they researched online that this was a common problem for saabs with this engine and GM isn't willing to do anything about it. I had to spend just under 2000.00 to get this issue fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10982966, filed 2017-05, 77,000 miles“My 2008 Saab 93 2.0t has intake valve failures. In the morning it idles rough until it warms up; this has been verified by a Saab specialist. My engine is not molded or altered in anyway other than the consumables over time (belts and such). A quick check for 2008 Saab valve problem leads to forums chalk full of other owners with the same issue. Gm should foot the bill for this $2500+ rebuild of the engine that they poorly manufactured in the first place.”
NHTSA complaint #10703444, filed 2015-04, 103,978 miles“I'm not certain if this is a safety issue but it certainly qualifies as an emissions issue and a manufacturer's defect. On every cold start, the engine would run rough until I put it in drive and would run fine after a few minutes. I let it sit and idle for a while once and the check engine light came on as a result. A local dealership found low compression across 2 cylinders and informed me it was the dreaded valve issue (intake valve cupping they called it). …”
NHTSA complaint #10560804, filed 2014-01, 74,916 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11009531Sep 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11007091Aug 5, 2024This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding vehicle engine oil consumption.
- 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…
- 11000119Apr 26, 2024This service bulletin provides technicians with information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10178949Jul 28, 2020This Bulletin provides guidelines for Dealers Not Required and for Dealers Required to Contact the PQC for engine or transmission assembly replacement and explains the PQC…
- 10158838Mar 1, 2019This informational bulletin provides information on a normal engine operating condition for faster emission warm up time.
- 10082869Aug 29, 2016This informational bulletin provides additional information on how to install pistons and suggest what tools to use.
- 10082822Aug 12, 2016This informational bulletin provides information on how to test a battery and what is needed to warranty a battery.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 12 | 28% |
| 2008 | 66 | 36% |
| 2007 | 18 | 12% |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 3% |
| 2002 | 1 | 3% |
| 2001 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Saab 9-3
71 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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