2006 Saab 9-3 problems
The 2006 Saab 9-3 was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD and the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2006 cars, such as broken suspension springs.
2006 Saab 9-3 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 12 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.26 faults
- Gearbox5.93 faults
- Suspension6.92 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering8.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.7 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2005 Saab 9-3
- Score: 5.3 → 5.5
- No longer affected by: brake servo valve with shorter life from heat and reduced braking effectiveness (rest of the car)
1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD engine in the 2006 Saab 9-3
Names: 1.9 TiD 120 · 1.9 TiD 150 · 1.9 TTiD 180
- With caution
1.9 JTD/Multijet 8v (78-130 hp, 1997-2010)
78–130 hp · Z19DT
A mechanically long-lived engine according to the workshops consulted, but with known faults that should be checked: the EGR valve clogs easily in urban use and, on the Opel and Saab versions, the intake manifold flaps and the turbo can give trouble. Worth buying with a verifiable maintenance history.[2][3][4]
- With caution
1.9 JTD/Multijet 16v (140-190 hp, 2002-2010)
140–190 hp · Z19DTH
It shares the 8-valve version's EGR valve weakness and, on the Opel and Saab engines, the intake flaps, described as typical of this engine in the Opel Zafira B. With more power and, on many cars, a standard particulate filter, turbo wear and DPF clogging in urban use are added. Worth considering with a maintenance history and by checking these points.[5][6]
Faults that affect 2006 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonIntakeIntake manifold flap failure (swirl effect)Yes: the intake manifold has flaps that create a swirl in the air at low revs, and their mechanism can seize or break with use. Two independent data sheets point to this fault as typical of Opel's 1.9 CDTI, with loss of power and the engine warning light on.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboTurbocharger wear or failureThe turbo (fixed on the basic versions, variable geometry on the more powerful ones) fails occasionally: a documented Alfa Romeo 147 needed a new turbo at around 215,000 km, and the Opel Vectra C and Zafira B report failures among their owners, although other accounts describe it as very durable.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlEGR valve blocked by carbonYes: the EGR valve accumulates carbon with urban use and short journeys, which turns on the engine warning light and causes loss of power. It is one of this engine's most cited faults, documented independently on Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Opel.Repair (garage): €130–€800Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlParticulate filter (DPF) clogging in urban useOn versions with a particulate filter, urban use with short journeys prevents regeneration from completing and the filter clogs: the warning light comes on, the car enters limp mode and consumption rises. A 30-minute motorway run every two weeks is recommended to avoid it.Repair (garage): €350–€600
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonClutchDual-mass flywheel wear on manual gearbox versionsYes: the dual-mass flywheel on manual gearbox versions wears with mileage and is usually replaced together with the clutch. On the Opel Zafira B there are several documented replacements between 105,000 and 195,000 km, one of them with a dealer invoice of around €1,900.Repair: €1,900Appears at around 105,000 km
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the 1.9 JTD / Multijet (loss of power)On the 1.9 JTD and 1.9 CDTI the air flow meter repeatedly appears among ancillary faults: loss of power. It is fixed by replacing the sensor after ruling out air leaks and the EGR.Repair (garage): €100–€300
Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox in the 2006 Saab 9-3
Names: Sentronic de 5 marchas
- With caution
Aisin AW55-50SN / AW55-51SN (5-speed automatic)
· AW55-50SN, AW55-51SN, AF33-5, SU1, FA57
Wikipedia notes that Volvo gearboxes failed in some cars before 80,000 km and that Volvo launched an improvement package, and a German guide lists it among the major weak points of the five-cylinder XC90. Check the oil history and test the gear changes.[7][8]
Faults that affect 2006 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionJerky gear changes and valve body failureIn Volvo versions this gearbox has produced sudden jerks on gear changes and valve body failure from around 100,000 km; Wikipedia even records failures before 80,000 km and an improvement package from Volvo. A German guide warns that the repair can be expensive.Appears at around 80,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTransmissionJudder and engine braking from degraded gearbox oilWith the oil left unchanged, the five-speed automatic judders and engine-brakes: Volvo did not include the ATF change in its plan, and a car leasing website recommends it every 60,000 km. Wikipedia asks for a change every 80,000 km under demanding use.Repair (garage): €120–€350
- Medium severityFrequency: RareTransmissionHarsh 2nd to 3rd shift from the B4 servo coverA jolt when going from 2nd to 3rd can come from the B4 servo: a German guide reports that, on the XC90, replacing the B4 servo cover and flushing the gearbox largely eliminated the harsh shifts, and Sonnax explains how excessive B4 pressure produces that jolt.
Faults outside the engine in the 2006 Saab 9-3
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionBroken suspension springsThe Dutch APK inspection (the annual roadworthiness test) records broken or cracked springs on the Saab 9-3 saloon, accounting for between 3% and 7% of the defects Autozine lists for cars from 2004 to 2010. The page does not say whether the front or rear axle is affected.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRear wheel hub bearing with incorrect heat treatment in the inner raceIn January 2006, 571 Saab 9-3s were recalled because the hardening treatment of the inner race of the rear wheel bearing may have been incorrect, which could cause a rolling noise and, in extreme cases, the hub to detach.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesHandbrake cables that deform under load and reduce holdingIn December 2007, 320 Saab 9-3s were recalled because, due to a manufacturing deviation, the handbrake cables could deform under load, giving reduced or no holding. The fix was to replace the cables.
Buying a 2006 Saab 9-3?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Saab 9-3 reliable?
The 2006 Saab 9-3 was sold with 1 engine and 1 gearbox that we have documented: the 1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD and the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2006 cars, such as broken suspension springs.
Is the 2006 Saab 9-3 better than the 2005?
Our score goes from 5.3 in 2005 to 5.5 in 2006. No longer affected by: brake servo valve with shorter life from heat and reduced braking effectiveness (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Saab 9-3?
According to our score, the best are 2012 and 2011 (6.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2005 (5.3/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2006 Saab 9-3 have?
The most important ones documented for 2006 cars are: intake manifold flap failure (swirl effect) (1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD, high severity), turbocharger wear or failure (1.9 JTD/Multijet and 2.4 JTD, high severity), jerky gear changes and valve body failure (Aisin AW55-50SN gearbox, high severity), broken suspension springs (suspension, high severity) and rear wheel hub bearing with incorrect heat treatment in the inner race (suspension, high severity).
Own a 2006 Saab 9-3? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Saab 9-3Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Alfa Romeo 156 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Alfa Romeo 147 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Opel Vectra C (2002-2008) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Opel Zafira B (2005-2014) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Alfa Romeo 159 : les plus et les moinsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Aisin AF33 transmissionWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
- Volvo XC90 Typ C (2002-2014): ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German