Complain about a product or service

Saab

Jodie of Dallas TX (06/03/08)
Lets see I do not know if this pertains to the manfactuer or the service dept now. I should start by saying I did not by my car from here, but all my service has been done here, except on one occasion. I purchased my Saab 93 Convertable in later part of December 2005...August of 2006, my alternator was replaced at Auto Zone, Febuary 2007 my alternator was replaced AGAIN at Sewell Saab (For approx $1300), and now June 2nd 2008, my alternator needs to be replaced again and now I am over my 12 months by 3 months, so will need to pay another $1300) I have had many things go wrong with the car, but 3 alternators in 2 and half years seems somewhat excessive. My friend who happens to have the exact same car, is now getting alternator 1 replaced...At Sewell Saab at the address above. I have a feeling many, many people must be having the exact same issue, if we have the same car with the exact same problems. Noth cars have 80000 miles, my first alternator was replaced at about 60000 miles

Marci of Cleveland OH (05/01/08)
Door lock problems ongoing since I purchased the vehible 18 months ago. Car has been in the shop five times in 18 months!

Sally of Cincinnati OH (04/22/08)
I am an owner of a 9.3 2003 SAAB. The amplifier for the radio has gone out because of rust. This is an inside part under the driver's seat. There is no reason for the part to rust, other than manufacture problem. There have been several other complaints for this same item. The cost to repair the amp is over $900 to 1,100. The part goes bad after of course the warrenty is out. This also caused my battery to fail and I had to replace the battery cable. These issues have been found on the web search problem with SAAB radio. SAAB does nothing to help. If you do have the part replaced, chances are the same thing will go wrong. They are defective. So my question I guess is how come SAAB doesn't have to correct this problem in all cars. Tim Hengle is I am sure fully aware of the other issues and of course claims he doesn't know of any. Also what is my stand and is there anything I can do to get SAAB to correct it. UNFAIR

Mrs. of Crosby TX (02/25/08)
On 8/23/07,I was rear-ended,hurt badly. On 9/29/07, we went to where we had always gone to get satisfaction in buying a vehicle, John Keating. Painfully, I was forced to go out & get a vehicle to go to rehab. The rental was to go back after the $5000 they gave me for my 2001 Malibu. I was put into what my husband thought was gonna be a very good, & safe car for me. HA. What a joke! 2004 Saab 9-3,- 23,319 factory miles.Special price, today only,$11,995. We put down $6,000, to keep the payments at $233.59, for 60 months. Our total cost of purchase on credit, including the $6,ooo was, $20015.40. Now let's not forget the $2000 paid to Master Tech, so when the warranty runs to 36,000 miles we're still covered???? Oh yeah, another $417.64 paid to others on our behalf for the Master Tech services??? At the time of purchase I made note of the headlight not being correct.I was also assured by all concerned that day, any service needed to the car would be taken care of there??? On 10/11/07, they took the car after several mentions of the fact I CAN'T DRIVE in my condition, to some place & had a lot of face paint put on it 7 brought it back to me. The day before Thanksgiving my brother died in Kentucky, so we drove from Houston, because I can't fly because of cervical problems to my ears. While in Kentucky my 82 year old mother was hospitalized. I remained there. My husband returned to work. There are 2 places in Ky; & 2 places in Tn; that work on a Saab. My floor filled with water, the mat froze to the floor. Saab told me, don't drive it. We'll come get it. I in turn had to be driven 75 miles one-way, to pick it up. Hoses were loose, bulk-head stopped up, .......They didn't dry the mat or the floor. It blew crap out the vents in my face, I took the car to the Chevy, GM dealer in Russellville, Ky. & had it documented. The cd player didn't work. It locked me in the car with my sister, the vents for the ac on the sides blow in the floor. The list goes on & on. I brought the car back to Keating & told them I wanted to be made whole again, & I do not want this rediculous piece of crap they sold me. This all happened on the afternoon of 1/30/08, at 4:50 p.m. when I took the car back. At 8:45pm I accepted a 2008 white impala ls with the direct intention of returning it the following day. I did. They would not take it back. I still have no paperwork so I can put my plates on. I'm running on expired temp. tags. Now I guess I'm stuck with a car we can't afford, I did not want a white,fullsize, new vehicle. And that's not all. The new one locked me in on th driver's side door. I had my daughter go in the dealership & tell them to come out. The rotars were bad. it had to have a new electrical piece. I know that as things are now, we are in debt to the tune of, $20,000. 72 payments,$358.82. This is after they paid off the Saab, & listed it as a trade-in on this Impala. In all I think a rough guess, John Keating has cost us close to $10,000 & I'm still not legal or satisfied. They act like it is all a big joke. To the point of I refuse to even speak to some of them because they are also liars!! Please help me. My husband & I have had so many arguements with them calling him at work & such.I have pictures & documentation of each person I spoke with, the time, re: ....Please say you can help me to recover some of or loss some kind of way. All we wanted was a good, pre-owned certified, $12-16,ooo. Now we have a costly headache & no way out. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Manoj of Little Falls NJ (01/28/08)
I have leased a 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero. I was in a car accident. The part delays and wrog parts being shipped to the body shop caused the repair to take 72 days. A wire harness was not even in the country that took over two weeks arrive and the wrong rear bumper was sent to them 3 times. I have been dealing with GM customer service if you would call it that sent them all the required information back in Nov. 2007 it is know Jan 28 2008 and nothing. GM is the worst company and Saab is the leader.

R of Tenino WA (10/20/07)
the Saab 2003 9-3 is KNOWN to have transmission problems and a recall from 2006 that caused the transmission problems in the first place. Saab tries to get out of the repair and when called on it several times and complaints are done, escalating the complaint up the chain, they FINALLY fix the tranny, only to not reimburse for any repairs or tows done at your own expense while waiting for them to actually RESOLVE the problem. I would be up for a class action suit regarding this year and make and model of their car. there are entire WEBSITES devoted to this complaint. surely there is an attorney willing to take on this problem on behalf of all the owners getting screwed by Saab.

Marshall of Austin TX (09/08/07)
I purchase a 2003 Saab 9-3 Linear Sedan in 2005. The car had approximately 50,000 miles, but included records for all of the service performed, which was done at the local Saab dealer. At first I had several small repairs to make. Sometimes a sensor would have to be replaced. Sometimes there was an electrical glitch. And sometimes the car would barely start. But in the recent year I have had to replace the speed sensor on my 9-3 several times.

This costs about $500 or $600, and should rarely, if ever, need to be performed given that the speed sensor is really just a piece of hardware (I've gotten to know more about how these cars operate than I'd ever care to know). Mind you, I was having to try and fix the speed sensor while simultaneously several other annoying, albeit minor, problems were occurring.

And then in the last month I learned that I needed a new transmission. Though I am not a mechanic, I know that it is unreasonable to expect to have to replace a car's transmission every 100,000 miles. And in my case, I knew with certainty that for the life of the car it had been well-maintained. So out of frustration I traded the car in-I didn't feel right passing off this headache to another person. Instead, I thought I would give it back to Saab.

Melissa of Mercerville NJ (08/27/07)
What hasn't happened. I bought my '02 Saab 9-3 in August 2002. It was a demo w/ 3,500 miles, but I didn't think that was any issue, afterall, I was buying a Saab, weren't they a high quality car. Let's see, started w/ what I thought and was told were cosmetic issues: a cracking sound when the windows went up and down, constant creaking of the instrument panel, SID panel numbers not showing, leather upholstry coming apart from the actual seat, and the list goes on. Then, on the way to a wedding 2 yrs into the saga, the temperature gauge shot up and a gasket blew, antifreeze leaked all over everything under the hood, they towed it, fixed it and gave it back to me - the next week the same thing w/ the temperature gauge, except this time they couldn't figure out what it was, so I guess I was supposed to just trust that it was a fluke.

The car has been almost stalling since a year into ownership - they only just figured that out in Oct. '06 and I had to fight to have them replace the throttle body and pay for it since I had brought it to them 4 times under warranty. By the way I was deathly afraid for that warranty to expire. The throttle body problem also caused the car to putter like an onion was stuck in the exhaust pipe while I was driving on major highways to work each day - yes, safe!! The stalling still occurs. I've had to replace the starter, the IDM recall, the condensor, the catalytic converter and my transmission is slipping - it only has 82k miles. I had thought I was going to drive this car til at least 150k miles until I was ready for a minivan.

I've had it, I fought the lemon law and settled for a mere $750 because I only wanted reimbursement for the throttle body costs that they would not waive. Stupid move on my part because that was in May of this year. 2 months after cahsing the measly check is when the condensor, transmission, and catalytic converter went - what will be next.

The air bag light comes on every summer, the wipers on the front headlight fuse has burnt out 4 times, the rear wiper motor is shot and sounds like a monster - it alwasy has, but the dealership started ignoring me after a while and I got sick of being a nag. Funny how dealerships make you feel guilty. I will never buy a Saab again, I am now going to trade it in because I can't even imagine knowing the person who might buy it, so there's another loss because you know tradein value will never be close to private sale. I wish there was a class action lawsuit.

Fred of Louisville KY (08/20/07)
I bought a 93 saab two years ago June 05. The vehicle had 22,000 miles on it at the time. Since owning the vehicle I had to replace the radio, get the window fixed, get the keys replaced, and now the transmission is not working. This is the worst car I ever owned. To top it off, when I took it to the dealer they backed into something with my car and damaged the bumper Bluegrass Saab. When questioned them about it they denied that it happened at their shop. I spent almost three thousand dollars to get the transmission fixed. A month after I got the transmission fixed, raditor fluid leaked into the transmission. Now I got to replace it again. The car only has 63000 on it.

Fatima of Dudley MA (08/02/07)
2001 Saab 93 SE Turbo From the moment i bought this car new from the dealer i've had issues with it. The driver side door lock and handle have stopped working for the 8th time now. The dealer fixed it twice while under warranty. I brought it to a garage 5 different times to get the issue fixed. I brought it back to the dealer in Nov 2006 to have the same issue fixed again. Contacted Saab to try to get reimbursed for this manufacturer issue, after weeks of phone calls the best they could do was give me a $25 coupon to use at a Saab dealer. The door lock/handle stopped working again this week, called the dealer since they told me last time it was covered for parts and labor for a year, they forgot to mention 12k miles or 12 months, so it's not covered again. Each time i have this problem it's close to $200 to have it fixed. It's a definite safety issue should i get into an accident i can't open the driver side door from the inside. I have to either roll down the power windows or go out thru the passenger side.

There is currently a severe shaking in the front of the car when i'm driving, it happens more when i start to brake. We've had brakes replaced 5 times now. I broke down on the highway on a bridge with no warning. The car wouldn't start again, it went from 65 to dead in a matter of seconds. Saab wouldn't reimburse me for the tow. It was a recalled defective problem, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE had to be replace. I've had the struts replace, huge money. There was a rattle in the front console next to the onstar button, it was a heat sensor that went bad, the electrical panel display doesn't really work and hasn't for 2 years now, somedays you see more than others, but there are always half of the letters or numbers missing. The convertible top broke. The car caught fire when i was driving on the highway. I pulled over and someone had some water to pour on it. The aluminum heat resistant padding under the hood caught on fire. The emergency brake stopped working. The heating system burned out and had to be replaced. Many other problems I could list. This car is definitely a lemon, has been from day 1. Very disappointed that a car like this has so many defects and there hasn't been any retribution to owners for all the expenses that have been incurred.

Britta of Portland OR (04/27/07)
We haved owned our 2003 saab 9-3 for 4 years now and the amount of time, money and frustration with this car is immesurable. purchased new in '03 we assumed this was a quality product. 1. driver window stopped working. towed fixed 2. car will not start. key won't turn. towed and fixed 3. battery dies due to a light in glove box that won't go out. towed and fixed (kind of the mechanic took the bulb out of the light) 4. radio stopped working. towed and fixed. 5. battery dies again. jump start 6. radio goes out again. i replace a fuse. 7. window stops working again. towed and fixed. 8. greatest of all. transmission stops working while i am going up a paking garage at the airport. towed and fixed? no temporarily fixed. while driving home from work the next day out of the shop the transmission stopped working again. all of the tows were to a saab dealership, and except for the last two it had to be towed from lawrence,ks to kansas city,ks about 45 miles. we had to take time to drive to pick it up and go to the dealership with the car each time for a loaner. this last problem is the last straw. we will be trading it in for a foreign car that will run longer than four years.

Juan of Franklin MA (04/26/07)
I bought a new Saab Vector, 2003 2.0Turbo. Since then I have replaced all head light bulbs in the front of the car,on the driver side, one of the bulbs fixture almost looks like it was burnt. The repair guy gave me the fixture with the burnt cables hanging. I had to replace the gas tank, window sensors had to be reprogrammed, sunroof sensor part had to be replaced/reprogrammed,two new keys replaced from the original, and now my battery is dead. I have an Immobilizer failure which the car will not start at all. Hopefully I will only have to replace the battery. My warranty has run out and its my dime now. I am so disappointed with this car that now I am going to get rid of it unless Saab does something to reimburse me for the costs and provide some additional relief for enduring the emotional frustrations that I have had with this car. Saab has built a car with many problems. To be more specific, this car has a sticker price of close to $35,000. I bought this car new because I thought Saab had a good reputation for building quality cars. Unforutnately I, like many other Saab owners have purchased a lemon. I want to know if there are other Saab owners who may want to file a group complaint against Saab for producing a defective product and hold Saab accountable to the current owners of 2003 saab cars or other later models. I have read many complaints from 2003 owners. Something needs to get done to hold Saab accountable for putting a defective/expemsive product on the market and selling it to the consumers who's trust in buying a quality product has obviously been tarnished. Please let me know what I can do to hold Saab accountable.

As far as I know, I will have to buy a new battery, have the car towed to the dealer. I don't even know if the battery is the real or only problem, it could be the starter or something else.

Sharon of Indianapolis IN (04/14/07)
I am a widow and in March 2004 I purchased a used 2002 SAAB with roughly over 12,000 miles on it. I paid $21,000 cash for this vehicle because I felt not having a car payment would greatly benefit my future financial situation. The service agreement was for 30,000 miles or 36 months. When I took the car in for service (mileage under 30,000) I was told my time had run out for the service agreement.

The dealership wanted to charge me 180 dollars for an oil change and 600 for a tune up. I went elsewhere because I could not afford that. When the car had slightly under 35,000 miles I was on the highway and the engine light and alarm came on and the car died and did not start again. I called SAAB USA and was instructed to have it towed from the body shop I intially took it to to my SAAB dealership and pay a diagnostic fee. The service department at SAAB told me it was a sludge problem, but that he wouldn't forward the information on to SAAB USA without my service records.

I obtained the service records and faxed them to him. After three weeks, he hadn't forwarded any information onto SAAB USA because he felt the copies were not good enough. I had no transportation to physically take the documents to them, so I had to borrow a car to drive to the dealersihp where I was assured the documents would get to SAAB USA. One week later SAAB USA called to inform me they were still waiting on my records.

I sent copies to SAAB USA and within a week I was contacted by SAAB USA where they stated they would not stand by the sludge problem due to the fact that my car had not been maintained by SAAB under the warranty and they disagreed with the synthetic brand of oil that was used on my two other oil changes not performed by SAAB. I learned that up until a year and a half ago, SAAB was using that same oil when they serviced their own vehicles.

Martin of Piedmont  (03/06/07)
Constant repairs on a 99 Saab 93 Manual transmission breakdown. I have owned many cars but since I have owned a Saab everything is going sour. Ive replaced the head, rear brakes twice in one year, radiator leaked, air conditioner had to be repaired several times and now for no reason the MANUAL transmission jammed and then broke. I have had many cars in my life and I have never burned a clutch or broken a transmission. Saab sucks and the dealers are suck too.

On an average I would normally expect to spend $2500.00 in yearly car repairs and maintenance, but with a Saab you can expect to spend trheee times that amount.

Nicki of Bethlehem PA (02/26/07)
Unfortunately I'm on my 6th CD player. One after another I keep having to go in and within hours I can tell that, yet again, I've been given a bad one. Then I wait at least 2-3 weeks before they can attempt to get another in. It's incredibly frustrating. I also had to get new tires within the first 20,000 miles. I love SAAB's, but I have to admit that this, too, will be my last.

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Ryan of Schaumburg IL (02/12/07)
To begin. I bought my 2003 SAAB Arc new. After having the car 3 months, the key sensor module had to be replaced. Since then, I have been back to the dealer with minor issues multiple times, on top of 7 different recall items. In mid 2006, I had an accident where $12000 of damage was done and I received a concusion by hitting my head on the window. When I bought the car, it was the safest thing on the road and I was encased in airbags.

In the accident, none of the airbags deployed and Saab said they operated properly by not deploying. Really? Would have been nice to not have hit my head. Airbags are supplemental devices and not to be counted on. Hmmm, that's not how the car was sold to me. I had the car back for 6 months, and the problems have returned. While out of town on business, the key module went bad again!

This time it costs me $800+ and soory about the inconvenience. Saab won't reimburse or replace it for free, even though this is now the third module in the car. Based on the MANY MANY problems I have had with Saab cars, I will never buy a Saab again. I have become another Saab story in a very large book of issues. Thanks for nothing SAAB!

Many days off of work to fix multiple issues, stranded out of town and canceling a work day, and now monetary losses.

K. C. of Columbia SC (02/09/07)
Competence should never be an affordable expenditure for efficiency. However, this sacrifice has become an expedient solution for General Motors. Seventeen years ago there existed a SAvvy and ABle company which produced a superb automobile. Through what hindsight would prove to be a great folly, a Gluttonous Monster was allowed to consume this firm. Within a decade the giant had completely digested the soaring automaker.

This mastication and assimilation resulted in a bi-product of only fecal resemblance to the former quality. Kernels of the original design and styling remained, sadly reeking of the absorption process. Although SAAB proudly resides, branded prominently on each auto in the line, all one must do is step into one of the Swedish automobiles to recognize the odor of GM.

GM has proved the Biblical adage that you are known by the company you keep. The noble, Swedish name has been tarnished by the years of adaptation not to function or need but to skimping and greed. As evidenced by the declining resale value, the clandestine recalls and waning warranties have been overwhelmed by the influx of bugs.

The following list comprises highlights from the swarm that has plagued the author since the purchase of a 2006 Saab 9-3 only fourteen months ago: 1) Constant steering lock malfunction 2) Electronic Stabilization error message randomly appearing 3) Automatic windows coming off track and requiring constant re-timing 4) Interior finish peeling in multiple locations 5) Rear trunk logo completely fading 6) Consistent brake dust tarnishing wheel logos to the point of requiring replacement 7) Alarm malfunctions when releasing trunk 8) Ignition switch malfunction creating inability to crank, turn off, or lock driver’s door. 9) Heads-up and stereo displays blacking out 10) Sun-roof switch malfunctioning as to only allow glass retraction halfway 11) Noisy rattling from within all four doors. If these faults were limited to one vehicle then the author would have little issue to overcome in reconciling his growing dissatisfaction with coincidence and misfortune.

Lastly, resolution must be announced to prevent others from complacently waiting for that inopportune time when their warranties will expire leaving them with numerous malfunctions and deteriorating, faux luxury at their fingertips. This author can no longer feign confidence in the ineptitude destroying such a noble tradition.

Erika of Farmington Hills MI (01/20/07)
I purchased a certified used 2003 SAAB arc sedan in December 2005. It was marketed as an engine made from jets, the safest vehicle on the road...It has been in the shop more than 5 times. I have had to replace gasgets, a wiper motor and now the brakes are squeaking and there is a stall at times upon take off. It has had more than 4 recalls since I purchased the vehicle. This is the worst car and most expensive car I have ever purchases. Needless to say, I will not be purchasing another car. As some would say should have stayed with my Honda.

I have spent countless days off of work taking the car to ths shop. The warranty ran out and immediately I had to spend almost $300.00 to replace a gasget. I went back and forth with Auto Zone regarding a wiper motor. According to them the end production of the 2003 SAAB has the 2004 Wiper Motor, so needless to say I have spent money on purchasing/repurchasing a wiper motor as well as paying the SAAB service department each time to disassemble my vehicle. You would think someone would have explained this to me in the beginning

Sam of Short Hills NJ (01/19/07)
Actually, I never had any of the problems described on this site with Saab being a horrible little car. My car is about 1 year old and has about 10,000 miles on it. I lost my key like a few users complained, and was told it was a computer key so the car was virtualy not able to be stolen. The key was quoted as costing $109 to replace, the actual cost was $98, less than promised. The key was delivered within the week and the car continues to run fine.

I love the saab and would buy another. My Acura TL on the other hand, was a horrible car.

Dawn of Hicksville NY (01/16/07)
I needed a replacement key and they did not explain to me about the smart key system. They did not explain that they would have to put in a new electronic theft sytem. They quoted me at 700 dollars then when I went to pick up my car they said it was 1600 dollars.

I was never contacted or did I ever give permission for them to do any more work on my car. They replaced two headlights with out permission. When I could not afford to pick up my car, they would not even allow me to get the items in my car. They told me I could contact a locksmith if i wanted the important documents in my car.

They allowed me to stand in full tears without explaining why the price was more than double what they quoted. They claimed no one was available to explain teh price to me. Then the next day a representative called and yelled at me as if I were a child. She said I was unreachable, which was a lie because they never tried to call me.

I was traumatized by this event and will never be able to buy a nother SAAB again. To top it off when I was finally able to get enough money to pick up my car...there were mud stains all over the mats. And they literally snatched the check from my hand and said nothing to me. Just grabbed the check and that was it. I had to find my car in the lot myself.

I had to pay double the price than what I was quoted for. There was mud stains on my floor mats.

Denise of Lancaster PA (12/28/06)
I purchased a 2002 Saab 9-3 in August of 2005. Since that time, my car has required the radiator be replaced twice because of Dex-Cool/anti-freeze leakage. Although the first replacement was covered under warranty, the second replacement was not. Since the dealer realized this was a unusual problem he offerend to split the $1,000 cost. How GM/Saab continues to overlook the problem is appalling.

The cost of replacing the radiator, including labor is approximately $1,000. Since this appears to be an ongoing problem, I expect to have to replace my radiator twice per year. I also expect to have additional problems with my gaskets, and/or heating systems. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the Dex-Cool problem when I bought the car, however since this is now a well know issue, I expect to feel further economic disadvantages when I trade or sell the car.

Paula of Mountaintop PA (12/26/06)
I was in a near fatl accident when my Saab 93 convertible's cruise control did not disengage when I attempted to slow down when entering a construction zone. I stepped on the break and the cruise control would not release and the car continued at the same rate of highway speed. I entered a construction zone and was trapped between the construction vehicles and the traffic remaining in the other lane. I avoided hitting any individuals but was unable to avoid hitting a construction trailer. I stopped the car by grabing the emergency break and holding tight. The car was can opened from fender to fender. As the construction crew reviewed the damage to their vehicle they commented that if I had hit the trailer ramp a couple of more feet to the left and I would have launched the car up the ramp, flipped and down a ravine. I was lucky that I was unharmed and I did not harm any of the Penn Dot workers.

Suzonne of Wesson MS (12/04/06)
In December 2003, I purchased my new 2004 9-3 Saab Linear Sport Sedan. On several occasions since then, the keyless entry failed to work properly and I was forced to gain entry by removing the protective cover assembly and insert the key into the door lock. I never thought much about it and remained confident that my 2004 purchase decision had been a good one. That changed one morning last month when my 9-3 Saab failed to start. The key wouldn't even turn in the ignition! The CD/stereo lights were on but that was it!

After buying a new battery and installing it, the car started and ran for 4 days. That was when the indicator light warned of an air bag malfunction. That day as I got in the car to start it and take it into the dealer to have it checked out, the car would not start. Again, the key would not turn in the ignition! My Saab was delivered to the dealer on Nov 4. Today is Dec 4 and I still do not have my car back. As late as today the dealer told me again that they can not find what is wrong with my car. Two weeks ago the service manager told me that he had even called import repair places in town to get advice and still they can't figure out what is causing the car not to start. After hearing this I became more concerned.

I decided to involve Saab Customer Service Center in Atlanta after the car had been in the shop over 1 week. After 4 weeks it has become clear to me that this help agency is ineffective at best. After talking with 4 different agents in that office I was called by a Customer Service supervisor. The positive outlook I had that day was short lived when the customer service supervisor failed to call me as he told me he would. Each time, I have had to intiate the phone call to find out what, if anything has been done to reach resolution or fix my car. All confidence that I once placed in the car, the maker and lastly, the dealer has been lost. I truly believe that the problem with owning this car is bigger than I could have imagined. By the way, I have already paid the dealership hundreds of dollars for this repair and still do not have a car that runs.

Let me explain how this happened: The dealership called me and told me that they had put a new battery in the car and that it was running great! Although leary I went the distance (60 miles) to pick my car up and talk to the service employee. I asked for his assurance that the car would not do as it had before and run great on the new battery for a few days and fail again. They assured me that all was well the car was fixed! Two days later in my garage, the car was locked up and would not start. Again, the key would not turn in the ignition - no power.

Needless to say it was then up to me to get the car back up to the dealership! That was two weeks ago and today I called the Saab Customer Service supervisor and received old assurances that there is a technical engineering consultant available to the dealership service technician. The supervisor told me that the dealership had in fact been in touch with them about my car. I also called the dealership - again - today and was told that they still don't know anything and that each circuit check had to be followed by a 15 minute wait and this was the cause of the delay. I've done the math, this is my first import car purchase and it will be my last. Saab - what a mistake.

Anne of Arlington VT (09/25/06)
Two years ago, we bought a new Saab 93. In year 1, the battery died for no reason. In year 2, the transmission died for no reason. We also had recalls on the seat belts, brakes and keys. Now, I am trying to work with customer service to get reimbursed for a towing expense and have submitted a lemon claim. Noone from customer service will call me back. Between the hours spent out of work dealing with this car and the frustration of customer service, the only thing I'm sure about is that this is my LAST Saab.

Jayne of South Portland ME (08/23/06)
We have a 2000 saab 95 with 59,000 miles. Saab clearly states in their manual that THEY will pay for a timing belt to be replaced before 61,000 miles as they know they are faulty. Our car had a pulley jump timing due to the faulty timing belt and now they will not cover a thing and we have $7,000 worth of damage (we need a new engine). We have a $30,000 car with 59,000 miles with $7,000 worth of damage and NO WHERE to turn. A SAAB dealer in Southern Maine and SAAB corproation do not stand behind their product!! The car had not even gone in for its 60,000 mile service. These went prematurely and 3 other SAAB dealers ahve told us that SAAB should have covered this. SAAB corp said that their decision was final and we could not bring it anyhwere else for another opinion.

Michelle of Manalapan NJ (08/07/06)
I purchased a new Saab at the dealership in March. Since then my car has been in the shop 6 times. It has received 2 new radios, a new computer, and the heat/air does not work properly. The service department is extremely rude and unhelpful. I've been told my car is ready and went to pick it up when it wasn't; I have had service argue with me about how things operate; and have several sarcastic remarks made at me. At this point, the dealership has lost their Saab franchise and can only sell VW. I beg you never to purchase or bring your car for service at this facility.

Ross of Albany NY (06/05/06)
I live in Albany NY and own a Saab 9-3 vector/ aero 2003 I have had multiple problems with the car but even more problems with the dealer, Saab of half moon. At this point the car is parked outside my house and will not go anywhere. I had the ISM replaced a while back, which is where Saab's unique key fits into the ignition. They did not tell at that time I needed to have all my extra keys reprogrammed to the new key in order for them to work or I most certainly would have since I've been to the Saab dealer at least 40 times in the year and a half I have owned the car. No exaggeration either. SO at this point the car can not be towed because the steering wheel will not unlock and the key doesn't work. My dog chewed it but I have three other keys none of them will work since I wasn't told to have then reprogrammed.

They also can't tow the car because it is in a spot the tow truck cannot get into especially with the wheels turned sideways making it nearly impossible but I am also told that if I do get the car to them it will cost me close to $2,000 to have the ISM replaced for the second time and I will have to bear this expense because I should have known or checked the other keys to see if they worked? There is no info in the manual the only way I could know I needed to have my keys reprogrammed is from the dealer when they fixed the car? The car is still under warrant un drive able cannot be towed and will cost $2,000 to fix when it should all be covered under warranty. There is no loaner car available where do I go from here? I have a stack of service records from all my 40 visits for various problems to the dealer what can I do get out from under this incredible pain in the ass or at the very least get the dealer to honor their warranty and care that I am without a car and can not get the car to them? It was their own tow company who said he cannot get my car to the dealer so its as if they have written me off all together.

Jeff of Palm Springs CA (04/18/06)
What happened? What hasn't happened. In Jan of '05 I purchased a Certified Pre-Owned Saab from Santa Monica Saab. I figured...I have a warranty so all should be great, if needed. Well it being needed is an understatement. My Saab 9-3 convertible has been in the shop steadily for the past year. At 13 times, don't you think it's a bit ridiculous? Let's see...here's the list. ACC Panel goes in and out at random Courtesy lights pop out. Blown head gasket.  Blown rear main seal. Passenger window cracks as going up. Oil leak. Turbo pressure sensor cracked. Purge valve goes out. Air bag lights on emblem falls off. Fuel pump recall. Another oil leak...splitting hose hazard switch fell out, antenna broken,  broken engine mount seat came loose, SID missing portions of numbers, grill peeling, leather seat coming apart.  Saab won't replace cup holder. Broken power steering pump came apart. Airbag again. Ujoint/axle shaft replaced, a/c clutch rattling...going in for second attempt to replace struts. I'm 4,000 miles shy of coming out of warranty and DEATHLY afraid of this car after the warranty. The dealer makes no attempts to help me get out of this lemon nor does Saab as a company. I will NEVER recommend this car to anyone...even the loaner Saabs I get are pieces of crap. It took me 40 minutes to get the last one (an 05) started...ignition lock problems.

Douglas of Los Angeles CA (03/01/06)
I have been a Saab owner for over 10 years. I bought a 2002 Viggen in Nov of 04' and the transmission has suddenly gone out. The drive train warranty was up on Jan 20th, 2006 but the car has only 39k miles on it. Saabusa has denied to repair it under their goodwill clause, even though the dealership says the transmission failure had nothing to do with driver abuse. What can I do to get my car fixed!?? Putting a new $3000 transmission in a 4-year-old car with 39k miles on it seems ridiculous...in a Saab it's absurd! Do you have any experience with Saab usa or know anyone who can help me? Anything would be beter than the nothing I got now... Thanks for your time and effort....I want to continue to be a Saab enthusiast, but Saab is making it hard on me...

Cara of Grosse Pointe MI (12/22/05)
In September 2005 the DI cassette went out on my 9.3 Saab SE. It was replaced at Saab Ann Arbor. When I left the dealership I noticed that the service engine light was still on. Tom Milliard was contacted and he stated that the engine was just worked on that the light should clear itself in a couple of days. The light did not go out but I did not fret because it had just been into the dealership and if something was wrong they would have told me. In December 2005 while driving on the freeway my car died. When I pulled over to the side of the road and lifted the hood there was a fire. I had the car towed to the nearest Saab dealership, Saab of Troy. Saab of Troy indicated that the wrong DI cassette had been placed in the vehicle and the hose had been wrongly reapplied. Saab of Troy refused to service my vehicle. Saab of Ann Arbor was contacted and Tom stated that their dealership was not at fault. I contacted Customer Service of Saab. Customer Service indicated that either dealership should fix the vehicle. Saab of Ann Arbor had the car towed to their shop. A message was left on my answering machine that there would be no cost of the tow to myself. The tow bill came to approximately $500.00. When the car got to the dealership, they diagnosed that the DI cassette was not the issue and that the fourth cyclinder in the engine had blown and to determine the cost of the repair the engine needed to be torn down. They also advised that since it was not the DI cassette I was now responsible for the tow bill. The tear down was $800.00. They then quoted me a bill of $6,500.00 in repair of the vehicle.

Kelli of Reading MA (10/31/05)
Our Saab 9-3 was purchased new in April 2003. This car has been nothing but trouble ever since, and we dread the day the 3-year warranty runs out. Within the first year I investigated the Mass. lemon laws, and they are not far-reaching enough to give us much protection. The Onstar equipment was inoperable for months at a time, and went into the shop 3 times within the first year for service. Eventually they replaced the unit. The car would not restart at a gas station within the first 6 months or so; the ignition was just locked. Onstar was broken down again, so we could not use that feature. The Ignition was replaced that time. I took it up with Onstar many times and received no satisfaction. Eventually cancelled Onstar after 2 years. POOR service from them.

Earlier this year, the side passenger window fell, broke so it had to be fixed, the window was stuck open. Today one of the back windows is stuck the same way. This summer while on vacation in Maine the battery died suddenly. We jump started the vehicle but it kept losing its charge. We took it to a local Saab dealer in Maine who replaced the battery and expressed his sympathy and surprise, the vehicle had received so much service. This summer the Infotainment/radio system stopped working entirely. Last weekend the rear locks were going up and down all by them selves. I brought it in and they said they replaced the key fobs, but could not replicate the problem. Took the car home and by the next day the same stuff was occurring. Once last year one of key fobs was not unlocking the car for us. These are just the problems I can remember off the top of my head, without looking at the maintenance records. What is my recourse here? Anything at all?

Donyell of Detroit MI (10/24/05)
I have a 2003 Saab 9-3. In the last 2 1/2 years this car has been in the shop at least 13 times. Most recently in Feb 2005 the transmission went out on the car and that time they had my car for 5-6 weeks. In June 2005, the transmission went out again on this car. Today, Oct 24,2005 I start experiencing the same problems it stalled on me and it cut off the. Two weeks ago it would not start at my house. It had to be towed to the dealer. And in Jan or Feb in 2005, one of the coldest days of the year I didn't have heat. I had to drive for 20 minutes without heat to the dealership. I am frustrated with this car beyond no means.

Marc of Buffalo Grove IL (09/26/05)
I leased a '03 Saab 9.3 Linear from Saab and The Saab Exchange in Lake Bluff, IL. When I took my Saab in for repair of at least 10 issues I was having, I would be told to pick up my car to find out they didn't work on almost all of the 10 items, just stating problem cannot be duplicated. After complaining to Saab and The Saab Exchange, I got no where. Eventually, took vehicle to Patrick Saab and they were no better, just basically going thru the motions.

Saab USA states that if the dealers can't find the problems, then there is nothing we can do. The dealers state we can't duplicate the problem and we didn't make it, we didn't break it and there is nothing we can do. The dealers are not even allowed to call or work with Saab on your behalf. Therefore, the consumer is left in the middle.

Problems have had or still have (would basically have them all if it weren't for the efforts of Motor Werks Saab)are: manual seat lowering on Its own several times and cannot be duplicated yet Motor Werks Saab put in $1,100 worth of parts trying to resolve the problem; squeeks and rattles - some resolved and some still occurring; terrible tires and handling; tires wore out at 11,000 miles (Pirellis); over 15 headlight and taillight failures; problem with radio preset on the steering wheel; transmission slipping; sulfur smell with the solution offered to use premium fuel when it is not stated in manual that you must use remium fuel.

You have another hour? The car has been to the dealers for repair over 25 times and I still have several of the issues and will never receive resolution to several of the issues.

Kristi of Long Beach NY (7/1/03):
I purchased a 2002 Saab 93 convertible at the end of September 2002. Within the next month, the car ignition locked and the key would not work. Plus, the temperature panel would display different codes while I was driving. The heater would actually turn on by itself. I had the car towed, but they couldn't "duplicate" the error and it worked "fine" for them. Well, 2 months later, the car was back in for the same problem and they did replace the computer. I then brought it in for its 5,000 mile tune up and they said all was fine.

Well next month, June 23rd the car completely went crazy. The radio "locked" and now the car would not work-- not start or anything. Again I had the car towed. It has been over a week and NO ONE from the service department has contacted me to let me know the situation. I have called and they have stated the they called Saab corp. to help with the problem. Not to mention a bar in the convertible top is loose too.

Bertrand of Santa Fe NM (1/16/02):
My girlfriend leased a Saab 9-3 a year ago. About a month ago, the clutch burnt out as the car was struggling on the snow between Tesuque and Santa Fe. Smoke started coming out of the hood, and a burning rubber smell filled up the car. I pulled over and called On-Star for roadside assistance, but finally wasn't towed because I figured the car, after sitting 1/2 hr. seemed to work normally again. I cancelled the towing, and once I got home, immediately called the Saab dealership, first in Indianapolis, then in Albuquerque to set an appointment. The answer I had was: if there was no warning lite, then you shouldn't worry about it. Fine. I believed it.

About 3 weeks later, the clutch broke for good, as I was driving my friend to Albuquerque airport. The clutch was fully depressed and wouldn't spring back. I call On-Star again, while my friend is hitch-hiking to catch his plane, have the car towed to the dealership in Albuquerque, which was closed (it was a Sunday) and rent a car to go back to Santa Fe. The driver of the tow truck was a nice guy who dropped me at the airport, where I rented a car at "Dollar".

At the time I was confident that the whole thing would be covered by the warranty. However, when I got home, I found out that the clutch kit is considered a wear item, covered until 16,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. Unfortunately, we were already over 18,000, while less than a year. We tried to negotiate this with Saab Customer Assistance but they would just stick to the letter of the contract,. Even though it was such a fine line, they wouldn't yield anything, and wouldn't even follow up with the file. We felt our case was at the bottom of the pile and stuck there. They wouldn't call back when supposed to, either.

As time went by, we got more and more upset, seeing in what dead-end we were stuck. It took 10 days to get the car back, now we have to pay 10 days of car rental, plus the repairs, and I believe the towing, too. The total is going to exceed $2,000 somehow. Is there anything we can do about it?

Clutches want to be all the way or all the way out. If Bertrand and his friend have a habit of "riding" the clutch, it's certainly possible to burn it out in the mileage indicated.

Julie of Aliso Viejo CA (11/11/01):
A belt broke in my car. We called the dealer (Saab of South County) to get an estimate for repairs, they said $150. So with this estimate, we brought it to the dealer instead of another garage that works on Saabs (they're hard to find). Later, we received a call from the dealer saying the reason the belt broke is because the pulley that moves the belt was broken, it would be another $75. So, we were at $225, still not too bad, and gave them the go-ahead.

Later, another call saying that when the belt broke, pieces may have gone in the timing belt, and they strongly recommend changing that. It would be another $350. At this point, I may or may not have a damaged timing belt, but I know from people who have had them break that you don't want to fool with them. So I'm basically between a rock and a hard place. Either pay the now $600 (from an original $150) or risk a possibly effected timing belt. So, I give them the go-ahead again.

Consequences? I ended up paying nearly $700 for a repair that I may or may not have needed when I was initally quoted $150. Had I knew these repairs would be needed, I would've gone to a different garage and paid about half, instead of paying the dealer mark-up.

Mary of Northborough MA (5/2/00):
Since 3/99 when the new 1999 SAAB 9.3 convertible was purchased, the car has been returned to the Dealership on 4 occasions to fix the convertible roof which was malfunctioning, (the alignment now creates a leak on the drivers side window which the Dealership was not able to duplicate however every heavy rain fall I continue to experience it.) Another example; the headlights have blown 2 times on each side by the time the car reached 21K miles. (this is normal I was told. Well at 40 years old and a car owner since 18 I have never had to replace a headlight lamp even on cars with running day lights at that low mileage once let alone twice.)

At the same time the digital LCD in the dash was malfuntioning. Sporadic areas of light would fail. Although odd that the light problems and the LCD issue were happening at the same time, I was assured there was no connection. After searching for a time that would allow me to bring the car in for servicing (because they never service on the weekends or in the evening, always during work hours) to bring the car back again where they this time acknoledged the entire LCD device was malfunctioning and replace.

The last straw was yesterday. I returned home from the weekend to find my car in the driveway with a flat tire. I ran over a nail. No big deal I will change it in the morning (so I thought). As my husband took the 'donut spare' from the trunk, jacked up the car, removed all of the nuts etc, he could not after 25 minutes get the tire away from the frame of the car. I called the Dealership closest to my home in Framingham, where the mechanic there informed that this was a common problem with the SAABs. He told me that the Cast iron (where the tire is afixed to the frame) corrodes and forms a bonds with the material of the alloy wheel and that I need to get a crow bar and pry the wheel between the ball joint and the rim to hopefully get the tire off.

I was not about to go under a car being held up by a jack and try this rediculous act. He also stated that once the tire comes off that I should get a wire brush to remove as much of the corrosion as possible and recommeded that I then apply lubricant with the hope this would help the next time. My husband, at the recommendation of SAAB in Auburn contacted SAAB Roadside service. The dispatcher had indicated her new SAAB with only 5K miles got a flat over the weekend requiring her car be towed to remove the tire for repair.

Roadside arrived 2 hours after the call (thank goodness I was not on the highway somewhere at night) and they could not get the tire off nor could a mechanic from a shop near my home who admitted he had heard they (SAABs) had this problem but could not believe that with a chisel, hammer crow bar that this tire would not budge. The car was towed to Patrick SAAB in Auburn.

I spoke with the Service department and they indicated the car was on lift and the tire had just been removed. She asked if there was something else they could do while they had the car there. I asked that they loosen the remaining 3 tires to correct the situation if they were in the same situation. Overhearing the conversation of what the charge would be, I jumped in to state that I had no intention of paying for this service of loosening the other tires (while they already had it on the jack) She was talking about 50-100. dollars. She indicated it was not covered by the warranty and I responded "probably because it is a defect that was not supposed to happen." Perhaps I can sue them for providing instructions in the manual on how to change a tire that are false. You need a lift and a blow torch not a jack.

I then clarified that I was not paying for the tire that they had removed. She hesistated and had to ask the Mgr. I instructed her that if the Mgr indicated that I was to pay, that she put him on the phone (not to bother her taking all of the heat for poor service she is being instructed to provide). She came back and informed me that "THIS TIME' they were not charging me for the tire to be removed but would need to charge me for the $10.50 to plug the hole. What should have been a 10 minute do it yourself task, involved 4 missing hours of work, at 45 dollars an hour, inconveniencing to additional people to try and help, finding a ride to the dealership to pick the car up etc. I am soooo mad.

This phenomenon is not unique to Saabs and isn't really a defect. Lightweight, high-performance alloy wheels have a tendency to "stick" to the hub. We recommend lightly tapping the inside of the wheel with a sledge hammer until it comes loose. It will, eventually.

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