The 2002 Saab 9-3 Convertible has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 17,394 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.
Consequence
OVER TIME, THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LOOSEN FROM THE PUMP RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL MAY IGNITE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SECURING BRACKET THAT WILL SECURE THE FUEL LINES TO THE FUEL PUMP EVEN IF THE PLASTIC RETAINING TABS SHOULD BREAK. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 14, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2
2fires
AIR BAGS
1
1injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
1
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
1
1fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
1fires
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1
1fires
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
1
Total complaints14
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Slowly approaching stoplight, and drivers side, side airbag goes off for no apparent reason. Driver was struck in side of head, and upper body, some hearing loss suffered also.”
“Use of high beams causes quick failure of headlamps. *tr”
“2002 saab 9-3 with 54k miles caught fire while my wife was driving it on sunday, august 13, 2006. *jb”
“On august 13, 2006, my wife was driving our 2002 saab 9-3 convertible when the engine caught fire. She was able to get out of the car safely, but the car was destroyed. Investigations by international motors (falls church, va) after the event showed that the transmission had disintegrated and…”
“Dt: 5/4/05, car was at dealer5 for regularly maintenance. Dealer reported rear brakes were rusted to the point of not being able to operate. Service manager said that saab had a history of brakes deteriorating at low miles. Caller complained about saab, dealer could not offer any help. No previous…”
“A crack formed on the inside layer of the glass right where the driver's side convertible top latch in the frame is located. The dealer declared that this occurred as a result of an impact as opposed to stress from the frame and refused to correct it under the warranty. There was no sign of an…”
“On april 8, 2004 my wifes 2002 saab convertible was struck by a vehicle that failed to yield at a stop sign. The car was severely damaged and was towed to nimnicht saab, the only authorized saab dealer in jacksonville, fl. Although the accident resulted in more than $8,000 to our vehicle and the…”
“2002 saab 9-3 convertible, about 13,000 miles caught on fire. Drove to office, turned off engine, & parked car. Got out of car & noted unusual smell despite that guages indicated "checking ok"ay. *ak went into my office & called zee saab of milford where new car was originally leased from & where…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
InvestigationPE05017 Opened 2005-04-07 · closed 2005-09-23
ENGINE STALL/ ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI OPENED PE05-017 BASED ON 35 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE IDM CASSETTE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ALL COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND MOST REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.IN 3 INCIDENTS, THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED SMOKE AND/OR…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Saab 9-3 Convertible as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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