1994 Saab 900 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
8 safety recalls list the 1994 Saab 900, and owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
8 safety recalls for the 1994 Saab 900
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Headlights (exterior lighting)
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.
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Vehicle speed control
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.
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Manual transmission (power train)
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…
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Recliner (seats)
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.
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Door (structure)
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.
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Seats
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.
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Seats
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.
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Disc (service brakes)
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…
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1994 Saab 900 have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 65,860 miles. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 saab 900. The contact stated that the front driver's seat was cracked and had a damaged frame that was deteriorating. The seat was not secured and would move independently.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 2, 2014 · Seats
“The experience leaking head gasket repeated problem. The engine overheating and brake problems. *bf the brakes squealed when stopping, the windshield wipers, the passenger door was hard to close, the”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 15, 2004 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1994 Saab 900. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–18 / 23–26 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Midsize Cars |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.3/2.5 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Saab 900 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Saab 900 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 Saab 900 | 4 | 2 |
| 1980 Saab 900 | 2 | 0 |
| 1981 Saab 900 | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 Saab 900 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 Saab 900 | 1 | 2 |
| 1984 Saab 900 | 1 | 2 |
| 1985 Saab 900 | 1 | 5 |
| 1986 Saab 900 | 2 | 9 |
| 1987 Saab 900 | 2 | 4 |
| 1988 Saab 900 | 2 | 13 |
| 1989 Saab 900 | 2 | 22 |
| 1990 Saab 900 | 0 | 19 |
| 1991 Saab 900 | 0 | 13 |
| 1992 Saab 900 | 0 | 21 |
| 1993 Saab 900 | 0 | 6 |
| 1994 Saab 900 | 8 | 44 |
| 1995 Saab 900 | 7 | 100 |
| 1996 Saab 900 | 3 | 48 |
| 1997 Saab 900 | 3 | 21 |
| 1998 Saab 900 | 3 | 24 |
| 1999 Saab 900 | 0 | 2 |
| 2000 Saab 900 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 1994 Saab 900
How do I know if my 1994 Saab 900 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 8 campaigns currently list the 1994 Saab 900; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Saab dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 94V074000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Saab models
- 9-31,346 complaints
- 9-5506 complaints
- 9-7X171 complaints
- 9000136 complaints
- 9-2X121 complaints
- 9-3 Convertible61 complaints
- 9551 complaints
- Aero15 complaints
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.