SAAB: USING BY REPLACING CHECK VALVE, VACUUM PIPE CAN BE SERVICED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Saab 9-3 brakes problems
severe 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 26 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Saab 9-3, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Saab 9-3 we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 26.
Owners have filed 26 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ABS, RED BRAKE ,SVC AND 4WD LIGHT ON HVAC BLOWER INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 1/30/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REPLACEMENT OF SPEED SENSOR WIRING HARNESS.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ABS BRAKE SVC AND 4WD LIGHT ON HVAC BLOWER INOPERATIVE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2006 Saab 9-3's primary brake complaint centers on loss of power assist immediately after cold start. When owners back out of driveways or parking spaces with a cold engine, the brake pedal goes rock-hard and the vehicle barely slows or stops, requiring them to pump the brakes or stand on the pedal with both feet. This dangerous window lasts 30 seconds to a minute until the engine warms. Several owners reported low-speed collisions—one struck another car at 2 mph backing out of a parking space, another hit a pole, and one ended up in the middle of an intersection.
The root cause appears to be a faulty vacuum check valve in the brake booster system that leaks, causing the electric vacuum pump to run excessively and burn out. Dealers have replaced the pump multiple times, vacuum booster pipes, non-return valves, and vacuum pump pipe assemblies, but the problem frequently returns within days or weeks.
A secondary issue involves brake pedal "bottoming out"—the pedal sinks to the floor with little resistance and minimal stopping power. One owner's ABS system malfunction kept rear brakes partially engaged at all times, wearing pads to the metal in only 15,000 miles. Some cars also produce metal-on-metal grinding when braking over bumps or in slippery conditions.
Several owners referenced NHTSA investigation PE08005, which Saab later claimed was "normal" behavior for 9-3 Aero models on cold start. At least one vehicle was repurchased under lemon law in 2008.
Same Saab 9-3 brakes reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of brake power assist on cold start
Brake power assist fails or becomes severely compromised immediately after cold start, requiring excessive pedal pressure to stop the vehicle. The problem typically resolves within 30 seconds to a minute as the engine warms up. Occurs most often when reversing immediately after starting, but also when pulling forward.
When: Cold start, first 30-60 seconds of operation
Symptoms owners cite: Rock-hard brake pedal on cold start; Inability to slow or stop vehicle with normal braking force; Vehicle requires high pedal pressure to decelerate; Near-miss collisions when reversing out of parking spaces or driveways; Pedal gradually returns to normal feel as engine warms
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced electric vacuum pump multiple times; some replaced vacuum booster pipes and non-return valve; some replaced vacuum pump pipe assembly. Problem often recurred after repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA PE08005 investigation referenced in multiple complaints. Saab indicated some 9-3 Aero models exhibited this characteristic on cold start and said it was 'normal' behavior. Vehicle was repurchased under lemon law in at least one case. TSB or recall status not explicitly mentioned.
Loss of vacuum in brake booster system
Faulty vacuum check valve leaks, causing brake booster to lose vacuum pressure. Electric vacuum pump runs longer than designed and burns out. Owners report the check valve broke apart in one case.
When: Variable; can occur on cold start or after sitting several hours
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power assist with rock-hard pedal; Electric vacuum pump running excessively or burning out; Check engine fault in one case; Vacuum pipe check valve broke apart; Vehicle not drivable in extreme cases
Repairs/costs cited: Electric vacuum pump replaced multiple times (part #12822387 mentioned). Vacuum booster pipes, non-return valve, and vacuum pump pipe assembly replaced at various times, but repairs often did not resolve the issue permanently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Saab issued repairs under warranty while in coverage period. Lemon law repurchase occurred. Owner cited PE08005 investigation as matching their complaint.
Brake pedal bottoming out / goes to floor
Brake pedal extends to the floor with little or no braking force, rather than stopping at normal engagement point. Occurs at low speeds and has resulted in collisions. Pumping the brake pedal sometimes restores function.
When: Intermittent; most common on cold start or when backing out
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal sinks to floor with minimal resistance; Little to no braking power when pedal is fully depressed; Vehicle does not stop or stops only after pumping pedal multiple times; Collisions resulted at 2 mph and at intersections; Hard pedal followed by loss of pressure (non-progressive)
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replaced in at least one case. Some owners replaced brake pads and rotors with no improvement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reported lemon law repurchase by Saab on January 7, 2008. Owners referenced NHTSA campaign PE08005 and 05V236000.
ABS system malfunction with continuous rear brake engagement
ABS system failure causes rear brakes to remain partially engaged at all times, resulting in premature brake pad wear and metal-on-metal grinding noise. One owner reported rear brake pads wore out in only 15,000 miles.
When: First 6 months of ownership; intermittent throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes partially engaged all the time while driving; Audible and visible metal-on-metal grinding or scraping; Brake odor from constant friction; Premature rear brake pad wear (15k miles instead of normal life); ABS warning indicator behavior not described
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer took 6 months to obtain correct parts to repair the ABS system. Brake pads and rotors required replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially stated it was acceptable to drive with this condition. Eventually repaired under what appears to be warranty.
Brake noise and performance issues on uneven surfaces
When brake is applied while driving over bumps, vehicle produces metal-on-metal grinding sound and braking effectiveness drops until additional pressure is applied. Steering wheel turns after braking produce metallic clicking. Problem worsens on slippery surfaces (snow, rain).
When: When braking on uneven terrain or slippery surfaces; worse on cold start
Symptoms owners cite: Metal-on-metal grinding sound when braking over bumps; Metallic clicking when turning steering wheel after braking; Reduced braking effectiveness on bumpy road; Near-miss collision when braking on rain or snow (extended stopping distance of ~10 feet); Braking works better after engine warmup
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repairs mentioned for this issue in narratives.
Cracked brake fluid reservoir cap
Plastic brake reservoir cap splits along the threads, allowing brake fluid to escape. Cap can still be threaded on/off but no longer seals. Owner believes heat from turbo caused the crack.
When: At some point during ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic cap split open like a tin can above threads; Cap still rotates on and off but does not seal; Brake fluid leakage potential
Repairs/costs cited: Cap replaced with new one.
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The ABS system was not working correctly for the first 6 months that I owned the car. This caused the rear brakes to be partially engaged all the time when the car was driven. It was so bad that you could hear and smell the brakes scraping. The dealer said it was all right to drive the vehicle. I took them approx. 6 months to get the correct parts to repair the problem. All the time the brakes…
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 saab 9-3. The contact discovered that his brakes failed shortly after starting the vehicle when he placed the vehicle in reverse to back out of his parking space. When the transmission is shifted from park into reverse or drive before the engine has been warmed up, the brakes do not work to slow the vehicle and the brake pedal feels rock hard. To stop the vehicle the…
Intermittent brake failure. More noticeable at cold starts pulling out forward or backward. Brake pedal goes to the floor with very little braking power. Very dangerous to drive and we parked the car and contacted the dealer. They have now had the car for 4 weeks and are waiting on a part from the factory. This is a very dangerous situation on this car and could very easily result in an accident…
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Saab 9-3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Saab 9-3?
It's a meaningful issue. 26 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 20,000 and 53,000 miles, with the median around 36,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 53,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Saab/9-3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.