Saab›9-3 SE›1999›Overview/saab/9-3-se/1999/base/

1999 Saab 9-3 SE

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 9-3 SE.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1999 Saab 9-3 SE, equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requires 4.2 quarts of 10W-30 or 10W-40 oil and delivers EPA fuel economy of 17 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg. With 67 total owner complaints—most frequently citing the electrical system—and three recalls, this model year sits in the early portion of the 9-3’s reliability history as a period where electrical gremlins were a known concern, making it a vehicle researchers should approach with an eye toward those documented issues.

Model year2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 580 CCA battery, OE oil filter 93186554. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 580 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size195-60VR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	93186554
Engine air filter	4236030
Fuel filter	4163853
Spark plug	9399866 alt 9112541
Battery	400126397 alt 400129987
Front wiper blades	93195936
Serpentine belt	4961058 alt 93185050
Thermostat	30577561 alt 9176165
Cabin air filter	32020156

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	181.9 in
Overall width	67.3 in
Overall height	56.3 in
Wheelbase	102.8 in
Curb weight	3197 lb
Track (front / rear)	57.1 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 23 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 10W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	USE PENTOSIN CHF11S OR EQUIVALENT

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	M6 Bolts: 6 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 16 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	129 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	130 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	16 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	214 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	900 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.039 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug Gap	0.039 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	12 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.76 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-10
Oil Capacity	5.07 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	580 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	47

Service checks

Pressure Test	20-22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	180 °F
Pressure Test	20-22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-22 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	33.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	81 ft-lbs / 60 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	0.984 in / 0.39 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.925 in / 0.33 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100

18 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M12 bolts 1-10:

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees.; M8 Bolts, cylinder head to front cover.	90 degrees
1	17.7

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M12 bolts 1-10:

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees.; M8 Bolts, cylinder head to front cover.	90 degrees
1	17.7

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70

15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 1,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Bag System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Brake System (inspect)
At 5,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Tow Bar (lubricate) · Weatherstrip Seal (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Bag System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Fasteners (torque) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect)
Every 20,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · PCV System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1999 Saab 9-3 SE lead in one area — the electrical system, 18 of 67 reports (27%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 5 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

5 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 67 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System18

Air Bags13

Suspension5

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Seats3

Visibility3

Air Bags,Seat Belts2

Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

99V362000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 29/12/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR LABEL WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 135, "PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS." Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.

99V246000SeatsReported 13/09/1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSSENGER VEHICLES. FAILURES OF THE "EASY ENTRY" CABLE IN THE FRONT DRIVER OR PASSENGER MANUAL SEATS CAN CAUSE THE SEAT FORE/AFT ADJUSTABLE MECHANISM TO BE UNLOCKED. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW CABLE AND SPRING ASSEMBLY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
2102554	2006-10-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	NOISE FROM THE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. *KB
2912494	2004-11-01	Engine And Engine Cooling	REDUCED PERFORMANCE AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES FOR THE TURBO CONTROL VALVE. *EH
632	2002-12-20	Suspension	ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF POPPING NOISE FROM FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT
8452282	2001-09-25	Structure	ON SOME VIGGEN MODELS FROM M99 TO M01 VIN 17016680, THE OUTER BRACKETS OF THE REAR…
8112295	2001-07-09	Structure	SOME CONVERTIBLE MODELS UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN 17004113 MAY EXHIBIT A SOFT TOP THAT MAY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 9-3 SE. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 93186554 Engine air filter 4236030 Fuel filter 4163853 Spark plug 9399866

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1999 9-3 SE take?

4.2 qt of 10W-30-OR 10W-40 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1999 9-3 SE have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 9-3 SE get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.