The exhaust flex pipe can fail causing excessive exhaust noise from the front/center area of the vehicle. The flex pipe is a flexible joint in the exhaust that allows for engine movement.
Oil leaks from the timing cover , valve cover , and/or rear main seal may be due to excessive crankcase pressure . An updated PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) kit was released to fix this concern.
The Check Engine Light may come on because the electronic throttle body has failed. Other symptoms include loss of acceleration, a high idle or failure to return to idle, and difficulty starting.
If the engine will crank but not start, it may be the fuel pump has failed. Diagnosis may find no fuel pressure when attempting to start the engine.
The thermo contact in the AC compressor can fail, which means the compressor may fail to engage or disengage.
The shaft for the air blend door can fail creating the inability to adjust the AC or heating temperature. The AC or Heat will not maintain the proper temperature.
The air blend system in the heating, ventilation and AC ( HVAC ) system can have problems, which can cause the AC controls to be stiff, or a lack of HVAC control.
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of oxygen sensor failure. There may be no drivability symptoms detected though gas mileage may suffer.
2.0L engines may become low on engine coolant with no cause found for the coolant loss. Our technicians tell us than in some cases the engine block may require replacement due to porosity.
A knocking noise while turning and/or a banging noise when driving on rough roads may develop in the front suspension. This type of noise is commonly caused by a front strut thrust bearing damaged due to water intrusion. Our technicians tell us revised thrust bearings are available to correct this concern.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) and/or traction control light may illuminate. This can be caused by corrosion in the (ABS) wire harness connector at the right front wheel speed sensor due to water intrusion. Corroded connectors should be cleaned or replaced as necessary to correct this concern.
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of air injection pump , and/or check valve failure. There may be no drivability symptoms detected.
A well-documented and well-known issue with the Saab 9-3 built between 2003-2011 is harsh shifting from the 6-speed automatic transmission , and slight slippage between gears. This has been noted as hesitation to accelerate, especially from a stop.
Mainly, software issues have been to blame for these mishaps, but mechanical malfunctions related to shift solenoids and the valve body have also been major causes. Finally, the automatic transmissions in these models are sold as ‘sealed for life’, yet the transmission fluid does not seem to last the complete service life of the vehicle.
Correction of these issues often requires a simple software update, meaning the vehicle only needs to be plugged in, and the transmission controller receives new programming meant to fix these drivability concerns. In cases where this does not correct concerns, the transmission must be removed, inspected, and repaired, possibly requiring a complete rebuild.
To mitigate these issues from escalating to a full transmission rebuild, many technicians recommend replacing the transmission fluid at regular intervals, yet the manufacturer has never offered this guidance.
The third brake light and/or license plate lamp may fail due to wiring damaged from rubbing on the trunk lid handle. Our technicians tell us the repair involves correcting the damaged wiring and isolating the connectors so they do not contact the trunk lid handle.
related to safety, airbag, replace-remove
related to safety, airbag, replace-remove
related to engine-cooling, water-pump, replace-remove
related to general, fuse-test
related to trouble-codes, p-codes-powertrain, p1400-p1499, p1456
related to interior, seat, replace-remove
related to general, noises, knock
related to body, door, lock
related to general, noises, whine
related to exterior-light, headlight, not-working
related to exterior-light, headlight, flicker
related to engine-cooling, leak
related to body, door, lock, replace-remove
related to interior, dashboard, light
related to body, window, switch
related to suspension, symptoms, chirp
related to interior, instrument-cluster, gauges, fuel-level
related to fuel-system, fuel-pump, location
related to body, trunk, open
related to safety, traction-control, wiring
related to warning-lights, traction-control-light
related to body, window, switch
related to body, windshield
related to safety, airbag, computer