Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 9-3 ARC.
The 2004 Saab 9-3 ARC is a passenger car built on the GM Epsilon platform, equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission and requiring 6.3 quarts of 0W-30 API-rated engine oil for routine maintenance, while achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 city, 26 highway, and 20 combined miles per gallon. In terms of owner-reported reliability, this model year accumulated 207 total complaints, with seat belts emerging as the most frequently cited problem area alongside six total recalls affecting the vehicle. This complaint profile places the 2004 model among the more problem-prone years within the 9-3's production history, suggesting that prospective buyers should prioritize thorough pre-purchase inspections of the seat belt assemblies and related safety systems when evaluating a used example.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12605566. Note the factory engine air filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. 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.
| Engine oil filter | 12605566 |
| Engine air filter | 32019926 discontinued |
| Spark plug | 55571391 |
| Battery | 12827676 |
| Front wiper blades | 12800766 alt 12800768 |
| Serpentine belt | 12827647 |
| Thermostat | 12622410 alt 3522676 |
| Cabin air filter | 95528293 alt 9179905 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 182.7 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3479 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 59.1 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.3 qt of 0W-30 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.
| Engine Coolant | DEXCOOL OR EQUIVALENT |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 0W-30 · API |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | USE PENTOSIN CHF11S OR EQUIVALENT |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | M6 Bolts: 6 ft-lbs, M8 Bolts: 16 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 7 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 80 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 214 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 720 rpm |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.039 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Ignition Timing | 12 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance | 3 degrees |
| Ignition Timing Reference RPM | 700 rpm |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.50 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Capacity | 4.06 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 700 cca |
| Pressure Test | 20-22 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 20-22 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 180 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum) | 43.0 psi |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 33.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15.9 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Wheel Application | 15 inch WHEELS / 16 inch WHEELS |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 21 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in |
| Wheel Application | 15 inch WHEELS / 16 inch WHEELS |
| Rotor Max Parallel Variation | 0.0006 in |
| Rotor Runout Limit | 0.003 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.984 in / 0.472 in / 1.102 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.925 in / 0.413 in / 1.043 in / 0.728 in |
| 1 | 30 | |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100 | 18 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 74 ft. lbs., step 2: 75 | 74 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 150 degrees. | 150 degrees |
| 3 | 15 degrees. | 15 degrees |
| 4 | 26 | |
| 1 | 18 ft. lbs., step 2: 24 | 18 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 20,000 mi | Cabin Air Filter (replace) |
| Every 30,000 mi | Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Bag System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Line (inspect) |
| Every 60,000 mi | Drive Belt (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2004 Saab 9-3 ARC dominate in one area — the seat belts, 75 of 207 reports (36%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 6 recall campaigns target the seat belts, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 10 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the seat belts 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.
All 207 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN SPORT SEDAN AND CONVERTIBLE PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH A VACUUM PIPE CHECK VALVE FOR THE BRAKE BOOSTER THAT MAY FAIL FROM EXPOSURE TO ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. THIS COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REDESIGNED CHECK VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 17, 2006. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE BACKREST LOCKING MECHANISM ON SOME FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S FRONT SEATS TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED COMPONENT. IF EITHER OR BOTH OF THE SEATS HAVE THIS COMPONENT, THEY…
Showing 5 of 82 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… |
| PIT3271P | 2024-09-06 | Unknown Or Other | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about… |
| General Communication | 2024-08-26 | Electrical System | Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It… |
| 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… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6.3 qt of SYNTHETIC 0W-30 API, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.