Saab›9-3 SE›2002›Overview/saab/9-3-se/2002/base/

2002 Saab 9-3 SE

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 9-3 SE.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2002 Saab 9-3 SE is a passenger car specified with a 4.2-quart oil capacity using 10W-30 or 10W-40 API viscosity, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 18 mpg city, 27 highway, and 21 combined. Its reliability headline includes 37 owner complaints and four recalls, with the electrical system representing the most frequently cited problem area. That documented profile positions the 2002 model as a defined reference in the 9-3’s reliability history, meaning its electrical complaint volume and prescribed fluid specifications are the critical data anchors for any researcher evaluating this year.

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 economy18/27/21 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 size205-50ZR16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	93186554
Engine air filter	4876074
Fuel filter	4163853
Spark plug	9399866
Battery	400126397 alt 400129987
Front wiper blades	93195936
Serpentine belt	93185050 alt 4961058
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	182.3 in
Overall width	67.3 in
Overall height	55.9 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	18 / 27 / 21 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium 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 19.0 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
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	17.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	17.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	19.0 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	192 °F
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

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 engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Bag System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
At 20,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 20,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · 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 2002 Saab 9-3 SE lead in one area — the electrical system, 7 of 37 reports (19%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the electrical system are also the target of recall 05V-399 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 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

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 37 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System7

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Power Train4

Seat Belts3

Engine & Engine Cooling3

Electrical System,Equipment2

Air Bags,Seats2

Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

04V557000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 19/11/2004

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

05V399000Electrical System:Ignition:ModuleReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 55 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP5601C	2025-07-18	Unknown Or Other	This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic…
General Communication	2024-08-26	Electrical System	Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It…
16-NA-383	2024-06-27	Fuel/Propulsion System	This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing…
18-NA-099	2024-06-17	Unknown Or Other	This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is…
24-NA-098	2024-06-06	Electrical System	This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming…

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 4876074 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 2002 9-3 SE take?

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

Does the 2002 9-3 SE have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 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 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.