Model year guide

2002 Saab 9-3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Saab 9-3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2002 Saab 9-3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Saab 9-3 at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints37
Combined21–24 mpg
Typical price$1,518

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Saab 9-3 recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #04V557000 · 19/11/2004

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Fix: 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.

Electrical System:ignition:module NHTSA Campaign #05V399000 · 14/09/2005

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH B205/B235 4-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES AND B308 6-CYLINDER GASOLINE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE OVERHEATING AND BURNOUT OF THE ISOLATED GATED BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR (IGBT) WITHIN THE IGNITION DISCHARGE MODULE (IDM) DUE TO INCREASED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ELECTRICAL LOADS.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE WHAT VERSION IDM IS IN THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE IDM IF IT IS A VERSION BUILT PRIOR TO THE INTRODUCTION OF QP3. AN INTERIM LETTER WILL BE MAILED TO OWNERS IN OCTOBER 2005, INFORMING THEM OF THE CONDITION. PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO BRING T…

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #07V087000 · 07/03/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL PUMP RETAINING TABS HOLDING THE FUEL LINES WERE DAMAGED DURING PRODUCTION.

Fix: 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 JUNE 13, 2007. THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGNS - SEE 04V557 AND 06V126. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly NHTSA Campaign #01V314000 · 03/10/2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE TIE ROD END RETAINING NUTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT THE FACTORY.

Fix: ALL VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED PRIOR TO CUSTOMER DELIVERY. NO OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE REQUIRED.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Saab 9-3 common problems

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2002 Saab 9-3 MPG & running costs

Combined21–24 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,650

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2002 Saab 9-3 worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,518
High
$3,100

From 14 comparable 2002 Saab 9-3 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Saab 9-3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,250
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,250
Total$19,500
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,518) with the same model 3 model-years older ($765), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Saab 9-3 trims & engines on record

Trims
SE
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl

2002 Saab 9-3 vehicles on record

2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K522031859 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K922007631 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF78K027015731 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K822025084 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF55K922024949 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF55K222030429 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K022029694 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF78K727006220 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K622014018 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58K722000354 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF55K222009970 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF58KX22011722 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF78K627011019 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF78K027005393 2002 Saab 9-3 2002 Saab 9-3 SEYS3DF78K027008746

Other Saab 9-3 model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 1999

2002 Saab 9-3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Saab 9-3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Saab 9-3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Saab 9-3?

Owners have filed 37 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, seat belts, fuel/propulsion system.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Saab 9-3 get?

The 2002 Saab 9-3 has U.S. EPA estimates of 21–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2002 Saab 9-3 worth?

Comparable 2002 Saab 9-3 listings run roughly $500–$3,100, typically around $1,518 (from 14 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.