RecallMyCar

Saab 900 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 30 safety recalls and 360 owner complaints across 22 model years of the Saab 900 (1979–2000). The most-complained-about year is 1995.

30
safety recalls, all years
360
owner complaints, all years
1994
year with most recalls
1995
year with most complaints

Pick your Saab 900 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2000 Saab 90001
1999 Saab 90002
1998 Saab 900324
1997 Saab 900321
1996 Saab 900348
1995 Saab 9007100
1994 Saab 900844
1993 Saab 90006
1992 Saab 900021
1991 Saab 900013
1990 Saab 900019
1989 Saab 900222
1988 Saab 900213
1987 Saab 90024
1986 Saab 90029
1985 Saab 90015
1984 Saab 90012
1983 Saab 90012
1982 Saab 90011
1981 Saab 90021
1980 Saab 90020
1979 Saab 90042

What Saab 900 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 360 complaints with NHTSA. The 1995 model year has the most, with 100.

All Saab 900 recalls (30)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Saab 900, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Air bags

    NHTSA 02V308000 Reported 20,476 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    On certain passenger vehicles, the air bag electronic control unit (ECU) is designed to sense and discriminate frontal impact events, command air bag and seat belt pretensioner deployments in a timely manner, and perform continuous diagnostics of the air bag system in the vehicle. Due to the possible insufficient sealing of the bottom…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new air bag ECU. Owner notification began april 4, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…

    Model years: 1995

  2. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 01V222000 Reported 12,036 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment. Most of these inadvertent deployments have occurred in cooler, dry weather, and have generally included dusting or wiping of the dashboard, starting…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap. Owner notification began september 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Model years: 1998

  3. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 98V139000 Reported 39,313 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection."

    Remedy: Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them.

    Model years: 1997, 1998

  4. Headlights (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 98V038000 Reported 92,505 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The instructions for properly aiming the headlighting system were omitted. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

    Remedy: Owners will be sent aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the owner guides. If an owner so desires, a dealer can affix the inserts in their owner guide for them.

    Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

  5. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 97V046000 Reported 52,500 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt.

    Model years: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

  6. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 96V077000 Reported 1,058 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    During static testing of belt anchorage points, the outboard attachment plate being used in the testing deformed and detached from the seat anchorage. This does not comply with FMVSS no. 209, "seat belt assemblies" and no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the safety belt assemblies for the date of manufacture. Any assembly with date year 96 week 10 day 2 will be replaced.

    Model years: 1996

  7. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 96V008000 Reported 8,988 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The steering column shaft was incorrectly installed in the vehicle causing the column to be out of alignment.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column alignment to ensure that no misalignment exists. If a misalignment is found, the dealer will replace the steering column assembly as a unit.

    Model years: 1995

  8. Manual transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 95V068000 Reported 8,993 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    It is possible to move the shift lever into the reverse gear position, remove the ignition key, and still have the transmission in neutral, or, to accidently disengage reverse by striking the gear lever.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace transmission linkage components and complete a specially developed service adjustment procedure that will ensure that when the shift is moved to the reverse position, the reverse gear is actually…

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  9. Electrical system: module

    NHTSA 95V066000 Reported 5,383 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Upon startup, a voltage drop to the engine control module can cause a malfunction where engine speed fluctuates from 600 to 3,000 RPM for up to 30 seconds before normal engine idle of 900 RPM.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a new revised electronic control module.

    Model years: 1995

  10. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 94V226000 Reported 10,584 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.

    Remedy: Both front seat backs will be inspected with the use of a hook to pull back the seat back upholstery. For any seat with missing welds, the seat back frame/recliner will be replaced.

    Model years: 1994, 1995

  11. Door (structure)

    NHTSA 94V174000 Reported 9,814 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The two weld points in the rearward attachment bracket for the side impact protection beam in the rear door may be out of position. If the welds are out of position, the vehicles will not meet the requirements of FMVSS 214, s5, "side door strength."

    Remedy: Dealers will install support brackets at the support weld locations.

    Model years: 1994

  12. Seats

    NHTSA 94V127000 Reported 1,015 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Two trigger springs mounted to the fore/aft adjustment lever do not develop sufficient force to properly lock the seat rails. After the seat is adjusted, this does not allow the seat rail lock to properly engage, which can cause the seat to move in a sudden stop or collision.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove both front seats and the two springs on each seat will be replaced with new springs with proper tension to ensure proper engagement.

    Model years: 1994

  13. Seats

    NHTSA 94V110000 Reported 3,252 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    A weld in the seat rails was not made, increasing the risk of fatigue cracks forming around the attachment bushings on the height adjustment mechanism, causing the possibility of the height adjuster breaking in a rear end collision and allowing the seat to fold backwards.

    Remedy: Dealers will install new front seat frame rails.

    Model years: 1994

  14. Disc (service brakes)

    NHTSA 94V074000 Reported 7,443 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The original front brake discs and/or pads shields do not protect the assemblies from being coated with a layer of slush, road salt or water while driving in snow or heavy rain. This can result in a delay in braking action that increases normal stopping distance.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the original front brake shields with a new design. An additional hole will be drilled in the steering king pin housing to attach a larger cover plate. A smaller protection plate will also be…

    Model years: 1994

  15. Defroster/defogger/hvac system (visibility)

    NHTSA 89V104000 Reported 6,000 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Under certain conditions, a reverse current might flow through a wire cable between the air recirculation switch and a microswitch.

    Remedy: Disconnect electrical wire cable and secure by tape around cable harness.

    Model years: 1989

  16. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 88V185000 Reported 1,586 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process.

    Remedy: Replace fuel filter.

    Model years: 1989

  17. Interior/under dash (electrical system)

    NHTSA 88V173000 Reported 70,000 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).

    Remedy: Install rubber protective strips to sharp edges and completely encase wire harness in a protective plastic tube.

    Model years: 1987, 1988

  18. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 88V149000 Reported 3,000 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Bolts used in the attachments of the front suspension system control arms may be defective.

    Remedy: Replace bolts with proper specification bolts.

    Model years: 1988

  19. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 87V013000 Reported 15,446 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress.

    Remedy: Replace fuel hose with new preformed plastic hose.

    Model years: 1986, 1987

  20. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 86V057000 Reported 59 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The bolt in the upper steering column u-joint clamp may have been over torqued and may break. Consequence of defect: a broken u-joint clamp may allow the steering shaft to pull out of the joint and result in loss of steering control and possibly an accident.

    Remedy: Replace and properly torque bolt.

    Model years: 1986

  21. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 85V060000 Reported 11,122 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The flexible fuel hose may have been turned out of its normal position and have a sharp bend or twist near one of its fittings. Consequence of defect: this could lead to hose rupture, fuel leakage, and possibly a fire.

    Remedy: Adjust the position of the fuel hose between the injector fuel rail and fuel pressure regulator.

    Model years: 1985

  22. Electrical system: front underhood

    NHTSA 85V036000 Reported 11,659 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The electrical cable between the starter and the alternator can rub against the brake fluid pipe attached to the left inner wheelhouse in the engine compartment. Consequence of defect: rubbing will eventually damage the cable insulation and result in a short circuit which may cause a fire.

    Remedy: The cable connection at the alternator will be adjusted and the cable repositioned to eliminate rubbing.

    Model years: 1984

  23. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 84V019000 Reported 24,705 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Poor electrical connection at the fuel gauge transmitter may result in a stoppage of the fuel pump and engine stalling. In extreme cases, fuel vapor may leak from the fuel tank.

    Remedy: The fuel gauge transmitter will be inspected and replaced, if damaged.

    Model years: 1981, 1982

  24. Electrical system: wiring

    NHTSA 84V012000 Reported 8,154 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The electrical cable between the starter and the alternator may rub against a brake line that is attached to the wheel well on the left side of the engine compartment.

    Remedy: The cable connection at the alternator will be adjusted and the cable will be relocated so it does not chafe. Any damage to the cable will be repaired.

    Model years: 1983

  25. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 83V068000 Reported 12,096 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    A problem relating to the front exhaust pipe bracket attachment could cause leaking of transmission oil. Transmission could lock up due to lack of proper oil lubrication.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the existing exhaust pipe bracket with one that attaches to the side of the transmission. The rear differential cover gasket will also be replaced, using screws instead of studs.

    Model years: 1979, 1980

  26. Seat belts: front

    NHTSA 81V147000 Reported 3,500 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    There may be an insufficient permanent lubrication in the buckle/release mechanism of the type 2 seat belt assemblies. This may cause front seat occupants to have difficulty in fully fastening seat belts, although they may seem to be fully fastened.

    Remedy: A special wax lubricant will be sprayed into the buckle receptacle slot to remedy defect and prevent reoccurance. This will be done without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1981

  27. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 80V123000 Reported 15,213 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The possibility exists that the mounting collar for the electric fuel pump, submerged in the fuel, could partially detach from the top of the tank and cause a fuel leak.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the fuel pump support and remount the pump at no charge to owner.

    Model years: 1980

  28. Cables (electrical system)

    NHTSA 79V230000 Reported 2,912 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The insulation of the positive battery cable may possibly melt or become brittle due to the high temperatures which may be generated in the vicinity of the cable.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the "b+" cable (positive cable from starter), add protective sleeves over the starter wiring harness, and install a new heat guard for the battery, without charge.

    Model years: 1979

  29. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 79V206000 Reported 61,739 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    Under certain conditions such as ambient humidity and vehicle pre-conditioning by repeated cold start, and short trip driving cycles in combination with sub-zero temperatures, there exists the possibility for ice to form in the throttle housing and temporarily impede full closure of the throttle plate when the accelerator is released.…

    Remedy: The dealer will modify the engine intake system to further improve preheating of incoming air in cold weather. This will be done free of charge.

    Model years: 1979

  30. High/low beam dimmer switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 79V099000 Reported 3,500 vehicles potentially affected SAAB CARS USA, INC.

    The headlamp relay may fail in such a way as to cause the headlamps to fail to switch from low to high beam (or vice versa) when the control switch is operated. Also, the headlamps may shut off intermittently or completely.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the headlamp relay, without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1979

Other Saab models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.