Saab 9-3 Generation 2 (2004–2011)

Saab 9-3 Generation 2 (2004–2011) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Saab 9-3 — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 1999–2003 —
Generation 2 2004–2011 —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Saab 9-3 fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

About this generation

The 9-3X concept, a preview of the next-generation 9-3, premiered in January 2002 at the North American International Auto Show. Originally, the 9-3 was due to début with the Opel Vectra in October 2001, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but in July 2001, it was announced that delays had forced General Motors to postpone the introduction. The new 9-3 was eventually launched in July 2002 for the 2003 model year. The convertible version of the second-generation 9-3 began with the MY04, and SportCombi with MY06.

The new 9-3 remained an exclusively front-wheel drive powertrain at launch. The most significant aesthetic change from the previous generation cars was the elimination of the hatchback design. The second-generation 9-3 was available as a four-door saloon, an estate (introduced in late 2005 as a 2006 model, known as the SportWagon, SportCombi, or Sport-Hatch depending on the market), and a two-door convertible (introduced in 2004).

It included Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR II) to reduce whiplash and ReAxs, a feature of the rear suspension bushings which changes the toe angle to help reduce understeer under heavy braking. The new 9-3 departed from the Saab H / EcoPower engine used previously for a new 2.0 L straight-four Ecotec engine from General Motors' for the petrol-powered models. There are three different versions of the turbocharged inline-four, with the amount of turbo boost determining the power output: 1.8t (112 kW), 2.0t (131 kW) and 2.0T (157 kW).

The engines were mated with a 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed 'Sentronic' which is a traditional automatic, not to be confused with SAAB's earlier 'Sensonic' which was a clutchless manual transmission that retained a conventional H-pattern shifter, but the clutch system was hydraulically actuated. In 2003 models, the standard manual transmission was a 5-speed gearbox with the 6-speed optional. The 6-speed manual was standard on US 2.0T (Vector) models.

There were four trim levels: the entry-level Linear, mid-range Vector and Arc (with emphasis on sporty appeal and luxury), and a top-of-the-range Aero model. In non-US markets, any trim level except the Aero (which was exclusively available with the 210 hp 2.0T) was available with any engine the buyer opted for. However, in the US, the Linear was exclusively available with the 2.0t engine, the Arc and Vector trims were exclusively available with the 2.0T, and the Aero model offered more options, such as a sunroof, larger wheels, and a 6-speed manual while retaining the same engine as the 2.0T, the B207R.

It would be given a 2.8 L turbocharged V6 in 2006. No diesel models were sold in the US, neither were the 1.8T nor any BioPower engines. The 9-3 and the Opel Vectra were the first of the global GM Epsilon platform, which was then lengthened to accommodate four new cousins, the Chevrolet Malibu/Malibu Maxx, the Pontiac G6, and the Saturn Aura. A proprietary fiber-optic electric/electronic system, the possibility of AWD (exploited from 2008 on, dubbed Saab XWD), and ReAxs were features exclusive to the 9-3.

On 22 February 2012, the last of final 47 Saabs were built. All those cars were 9-3 Cabriolets and 37 where 'Independence Edition' convertible models all of them where assembled by one of Sweden's largest car dealers, ANA, in Trollhättan. Of the 47 cars assembled, 21 were LHD, and 26 RHD. The final Saab was a Saab 9-3 Aero Independence Edition TTiD convertible. The Vector trim level was replaced with the Aero in the United States.

The Arc trim level received the five-speed manual in place of the six-speed. In the UK, the 9-3 Aero 2.0T was made available with a six-speed manual transmission. The 2.2 TiD engine was replaced with the common rail 1.9 TiD engine, sourced from Fiat. The 1.9 TiD was available both as an 8-valve version with 120 PS and a 16-valve version with 150 PS.

Source: Wikipedia — Saab 9-3 — Second generation (2003–2014), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2005 3 95 Suspension, Seat Belts, Air Bags
2006 3 179 Air Bags, Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2007 3 310 Air Bags, Suspension, Engine
2008 3 368 Air Bags, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
2010 4 60 Air Bags, Fuel System, Other
2011 4 30 Air Bags, Seat Belts, Engine

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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