2009 Saab 9-3 Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 43 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the fuel system of the 2009 Saab 9-3, 9% of the 43 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,500 miles.
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.
“The cylinder valves are all having to be replaced though the car only has 77k miles. I have now researched and learned that this was a problem on the 2007,2008, and 2009 saabs and nothing has been done to recall the cars. The resulting problem is that the car will not start when cold and the compression during a cold start is half of what it should be. The valves are faulty and the repair is $4000 at my local dealer, who is authorized to work on Saab. This is a manufacturing issue and is not being recognized as such.”
NHTSA complaint #10807509, filed 2015-11, 77,000 miles“I have owned my 2008 Saab 9-3 for about a year now and I have had an ongoing rough running issue that seems to be getting worse. When I start my car up in the morning it runs very rough. Ihave gotten it diagnosed and it is misfiring dramatically like 6000 on one cylinder and 1081 on another . I have done some research and had this problem diagnosed, several times, as having bad intake valves. After doing more research on this problem, I have come to find this is a rather common issue with this specific year make and model. This is concerning because I have had this repair quoted at over $2500. …”
NHTSA complaint #11033214, filed 2017-10, 80,000 miles“The intake valves are bad on this car and it has 100k miles on this. This is a $2000 plus job that comes out of pocket. It seems to be this is a common problem with saabs and it appears there are several complaints on here. This needs to be recalled and paid for by GM, because they did not property build this engine if so many are failing. My car will turn over and not start in the cold weather.”
NHTSA complaint #10825910, filed 2016-02, 103,000 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Saab 9-3. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, a strong odor of fuel emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact observed fuel leaking from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pump and it needed t be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11e009000 (fuel system and gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10723963, filed 2015-06, 7,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11007095Aug 7, 2024This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles…
- 11004727Jun 29, 2024This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10241417Aug 1, 2023This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10222766Sep 16, 2022This bulletin provides information on the TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline Licensed Brands and the TOP TIER Diesel Fuel Licensed Brands that are recommended for use in all GM vehicles…
- 10222765Sep 14, 2022This service bulletin provides the technician with additional information on fuels, fuel additives and fuel management.
- 10222739Sep 13, 2022This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline detergent additive.
- 10213765Jan 27, 2022This service bulletin provides technicians with updated information to help identify the differences between what is considered a fluid leak, and what is considered fluid seepage.
- 10190437Mar 30, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This technical 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…
- 10176310May 8, 2020This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing…
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 2009 Saab 9-3
17 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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