Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Saab 900
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
325.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
325.0%
Engine & Cooling
325.0%
Equipment & Accessories
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 200,000 mi
Suspension
18.3%
Electrical System
18.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 200,000 mi
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Oct 1995peak 6Sep 2003
Recalls on the 1987 Saab 900
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19890081,765 units in Canada
Electrical
THE WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND ALSO, IN THE 1988 VEHICLES, AGAINST A CARPET SUPPORT. IF A SHORT CIRCUIT DEVELOPS THERE IS A RISK OF SMOKE OR POSSIBLY FIRE INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: FOUR RUBBER STRIPS WILL BE AFFIXED TO EDGES IN CRITICAL LOCATIONS AND THE MAIN HARNESS UNDER THE DASHBOARD WILL AT SOME LOCATIONS, BE COVERED BY A PLASTIC HOSE.
Recall 1987024255 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain Saab 900S and 900 turbo, the fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress resulting in a fuel leak and possible fire. Correction: A new plastic fuel hose with an outer casing of rubber will be installed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 200,000 milesBeacon, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY 1987 SAAB 900 CAUGHTON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SAAB BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10037027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBeacon, NYFire
EQUIPMENT
MY 1987 SAAB 900 CAUGHTON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SAAB BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10037027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 200,000 milesBeacon, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
MY 1987 SAAB 900 CAUGHTON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SAAB BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10037027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesBeacon, NYFire
EQUIPMENT
MY 1987 SAAB 900 CAUGHTON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SAAB BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10037027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Silver, MD
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON FAILURE ON SAAB 900 CARS, WELL KNOWN TO DEALERS AND THE FACTORY AS WELL AS THE TSN BULLETIN BOARD WHICH HAS BEEN UP SINCE 1988. [WWW.SAABNET.COM] THE MANUFACTURER HAS MADE AVAILABLE A REINFORCED LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BUT HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR EITHER THE PART OR INSTALLATION THEREOF.
NHTSA complaint #738457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
HEAT SHIELD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
HEAT SHIELD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED DUE TO A BRITTLE FRACTURE WITHIN THE SURFACE.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
INSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED DUE TO A BRITTLE FRACTURE WITHIN THE SURFACE.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
TIRES:SIDEWALL
REPLACED FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES BECAUSE OF CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALL.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
TIRES:SIDEWALL
REPLACED FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES BECAUSE OF CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALL.
NHTSA complaint #482259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
HEAT SHIELD UNDER CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUSTS, CAUSING SHIELD TO OVERHEAT.
NHTSA complaint #482050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
DRIVER'S INTERIOR REAR VIEW MIRROR CAME OFF IN DRIVER'S HAND DUE TO FATIGUED BALL SOCKET HOUSING. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #482050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orchard PA, NY
TIRES:SIDEWALL
FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES CRACKED ON SIDE WALL.
NHTSA complaint #482050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.