Door Handle Discoloration/Fading

[fatherandrew]

I have a 2003, Saab 9-3 Vector Sports Sedan in black.

At night it is in a garage. During the day time it is under a covered awning.

I noticed today that all four door handles are discolored.

They are grey instead of black. They don't look very nice.

Several people told me that I should contact the dealer.

I spoke to the salesman and he thought it should be covered under the
warranty. I only have 33,000 miles on the car.

I took a photograph with a digital camera but I can't figure out how to reduce the photo size so it can be uploaded here.

Any advice on the problem?

Thanks.

PS The dealer has also told me that the display on the System Computer on top of the dash has been having problems and Saab is coming out with a new design--when it is released, I'll be eligible to get the new one installed free of charge as my old one often freezes up on me.

[platypus]

anyone who wants the door handles replaced can get them replaced (at no charge) by the dealer. takes about 2 hours.
they changed mine with 32,000 miles on the car and more than a year old.
they look fantastic now.

you do not need to post pictures, we all know how bad the handles look and most of us with the problem have had them replaced

picture size needs to be under 62kb and under 500x500 i think. that answer issomewhere here, but I could not find it.

[fatherandrew]

I spoke with the Saab Service Manager and he was well aware of the door handle problem and will order me 4 new ones.

They are also going to check on the SID that needs to be replaced--Saab is supposed to have the new design out soon.

[southjerseysaab]

i got mine changed also (they do look much better) - my only advise is to check all the doors inside and out when they are done. After my door handles were changed (after I returned home) the passenger side door would not work from the outside (they did send a tech out to my work to fix this) but I just found out the other day when I had a passenger that they couldn't open the door from the inside. Looks like another trip (or call) to the dealer.

[Cosmicflash]

I've had mine done as well. That's nice the dealer ordered them for you without going in.

What do you mean by a new SID? Haven't heard of any problems with it (besides the oil monitor not properly working)

[fatherandrew]

My SID and the knob that goes with it does not scroll in an orderly, set way. It will often take 10 turns of the dial to move from, say, Distance to Empty, to the next item on the list. It also freezes up on me---I get the date frozen over anything else. It often means that I have to take the fuse out for the Computer System and re-insert it.

Saab admitted that they were having problems with these and would order me a new one when the new design was complete.

[Jet 9-3]

Originally Posted by fatherandrew

My SID and the knob that goes with it does not scroll in an orderly, set way. It will often take 10 turns of the dial to move from, say, Distance to Empty, to the next item on the list. It also freezes up on me---I get the date frozen over anything else. It often means that I have to take the fuse out for the Computer System and re-insert it.

Saab admitted that they were having problems with these and would order me a new one when the new design was complete.

I had a smilar problem w/ the knob as well - where sometimes it didn't respond to 'clicking" it to make a selection. They replaced the whole module that surrounds the knob (don't think they replaced the screen, though)

[allankuo]

To replace the door handle, they have to remove the door panel. Make sure the door doesn't let water to leak in after they put the door panel back. I have bad experience.......

[nestoraero]

I will have my door handles replaced by the dealer on Tuesday...no cost fro me of course...

[Rip Van Winkle]

that explains why 3 of my handles are grey and the other is black.


good stuff.

[rdj92807]

Just wondering....where the fading door handles on early 2003 models? Are the replacements different looking in terms of paint/coating? I have a Sept 04 build 2004 and would like to know if the handles will have a problem.

Thanks. Robert

[Rip Van Winkle]

Originally Posted by rdj92807

Just wondering....where the fading door handles on early 2003 models? Are the replacements different looking in terms of paint/coating? I have a Sept 04 build 2004 and would like to know if the handles will have a problem.

Thanks. Robert

my '03 9-3 shows a build date in May of '03, so I'd say if have a '04, I'd would imagine you may have the "newer" handles.

[sbl]

My '03 Arc (purchased April '03) had the handles replaced by the dealer without argument.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by rdj92807

Just wondering....were the fading door handles on early 2003 models? Are the replacements different looking in terms of paint/coating? I have a Sept 04 build 2004 and would like to know if the handles will have a problem.

Thanks. Robert

This handle fading is hit-or-miss, and primarily affects earlier builds.

The problem was with the plastic itself, something with the formulation. If the handle discolors, it fades inside and out. Probably bleaching by oxygen, as opposed to fading from sunlight.

Some dealers were applying recoloring agents, then Saab issued a dealer notification of the problem advising replacement.

A few posters have had problems opening their doors after the handles were changed. I'm sure Saab has just allowed replacement of the handle itself. Any clips or fasteners removed in the process are probably reused. Some of these clip designs do not hold up well if they are pried off the wrong way. Stretch the plastic too much, and they never grab tight again. This is my guess as to why some handles don't open the door a few days after being replaced.

[Nimisys]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

A few posters have had problems opening their doors after the handles were changed. I'm sure Saab has just allowed replacement of the handle itself. Any clips or fasteners removed in the process are probably reused. Some of these clip designs do not hold up well if they are pried off the wrong way. Stretch the plastic too much, and they never grab tight again. This is my guess as to why some handles don't open the door a few days after being replaced.

this is exactly correct. there are two types of fasteners securing the rod for the exterior door handle to the door latch. the early style that slides out to release the rod has a nasty habbit of popping loose again after a few door openings. there is a later design that secures far more securely that flips open.

BTW water leaks are caused by tearing the membrane in the door between the door panel and the door internals. tear that membrane and water ends up on the lower door seal, which then hits the carpet on braking or turning. the door drain design is serously lacking.

[Bladey]

got all four door handles replaced here too. No questions.. felt a bit silly telling them on the phone..

'erm.. yes.. er... my door handles are black anymore... er... can i have new ones please ? '

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Nimisys

BTW water leaks are caused by tearing the membrane in the door between the door panel and the door internals. tear that membrane and water ends up on the lower door seal, which then hits the carpet on braking or turning. the door drain design is serously lacking.

Are you saying that water pools in the bottom of the doors??? That's really bad if it's the case. A wet carpet is one thing. A rusting door or door mechanicals is something else!

Sometimes the drain holes are too small or get covered by weld beads. I assume these doors are robot welded. But if the beads aren't cleaned up right the holes are clogged. Also, I noticed Saab lays foam blocks on the bottom of the door. Maybe foam chips off and clogs the holes? Or some other assembly residue?

[weiVA]

I noticed that the Sport Combi uses body color door handles. I've applied Back to Black on my door handles for now but should/when they fade again, has anyone had any luck on getting body color door handles as a replacement?

[JWLANKY]

Originally Posted by weiVA

I noticed that the Sport Combi uses body color door handles. I've applied Back to Black on my door handles for now but should/when they fade again, has anyone had any luck on getting body color door handles as a replacement?

Its quite a common problem on the first model year and you should have no problem in getting them replaced.
I think they've changed the door handle material now.

[saabasaaba]

My Dealer told me that the handles are on back order, they did order them i'm just waitng for a call.