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FaultScore report

1989 Saab 900 problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 1989 Saab 900 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Saab 900
—

Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

34

Complaints

2

Crashes reported

4

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

How 1989 compares with every other Saab 900

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1989 Saab 900

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 5 14.7%
Engine & Cooling 5 14.7%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Suspension 4 11.8%
Electrical System 4 11.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 85,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 3 8.8%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Equipment & Accessories 2 5.9%
Doors, Latches & Locks 2 5.9%
Seats 2 5.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Fuel & Propulsion 2 5.9%
Lights 2 5.9%
Transmission & Drivetrain 2 5.9%
Steering 1 2.9%

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.

Jul 1995 peak 5 Mar 2006

Recalls on the 1989 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.

United States — NHTSA

89V104000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A REVERSE CURRENT MIGHT FLOW THROUGH A WIRE CABLE BETWEEN THE AIR RECIRCULATION SWITCH AND A MICROSWITCH.

Risk: HEATER FAN RESISTOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND SMOKE IN THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT HEATING SYSTEM, CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND BREATHING HAZARDSTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.

88V185000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FUEL FILTER MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATION CONCERNING LEAKAGE CRITERIA DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURE DURING THE GLUING PROCESS.

Risk: FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1989103 336 units in Canada

Heater And Defroster

A REVERSE ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOW THROUGH A WIRE CABLE BETWEEN THE AIR RECIRCULATION SWITCH AND A MICRO SWITCH COULD OCCUR. THIS MAY CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE AIR CIRCULATION SYSTEM FAN RESISTOR, CREATING THE RISK OF FIRE. CORRECTION: A WIRE CABLE WILL BE DISCONNECTED TO PREVENT OVERHEATING OF THE FAN RESISTOR.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Fort Myers, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CASING AROUND TRANSMISSION CRACKED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #524338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash

SEATS

WHILE IDLING DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #980379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEA Girt, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA complaint #502287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULT ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #980379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

THERMOSTAT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #490699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamburg, VA Fire

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

IN 1990 VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN PASSENAGER COMPARTMENT, POSSIBLE DUE TO DEFAULT IN HEATING SYSTEM. TT

NHTSA complaint #969421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 85,000 miles Delton, MI

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

ALTERNATOR, CARBURETOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DRAINING OF POWER ; NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM, THE AUTO HAS SAT NOW FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF POURING MONEY INTO IT ONLY TO HAVE IT UNABLE TO REPAIRED PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10151828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Prospect Hts., IL

SEAT BELTS

RIGHT SIDE PASSIVE SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED MOTOR CAUSED SHOULDER BELT KEY TO GO BACK AND FORTH . DRIVER SIDE DID THE SAME. REPAIR TECH SAID THAT IT WAS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT IT WAS COMMOM WITH SAABS WITH THIS TYPE OF SAFETY BELTS. COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $650 DID NOT REPAIR HAD TECH LOCK KEY IN A FIXED POSITION.

NHTSA complaint #757751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Catonsville, MD

STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

FAILED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA complaint #750351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkeley, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. REPLACED BOTH DRIVER- & PASSENGER-SIDE CONTROL ARMS AS PRECAUTION. MECHANIC HAS PART & SPECULATES DESIGN DEFECT; HAS ONE FROM ANOTHER SAAB HANGING ON WALL AS SOUVENIR! CONTACT PETER'S ZAAB SERVICE, 415.456.0540.

NHTSA complaint #734068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Toronto Ontario M6M1H7, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT, AND COST ABOUT 1600 CANADIAN. MANUFACTURER DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE.

NHTSA complaint #722265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Benton, AR

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

THE DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IS COMMON BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT COMMON. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEND. MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS, SUCH AS THE FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SHOULD NOT BREAK.

NHTSA complaint #720555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairport, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION AT 35 MPH CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND $2400 IN ENGINE VALVE DAMAGE. TIMING CHAIN IS NOT SPECIFICED AS A NORMAL REPLACEMENT ITEM.

NHTSA complaint #706174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Naperville, IL

SEAT BELTS

COMPUTER BOX THAT CONTROLS MOTORBELTS FAILED. (MS)

NHTSA complaint #604596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oregon CIT, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, STARTER JAMMED INTO PLACE, BURNED STARTER UP.

NHTSA complaint #781802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oregon CIT, OR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, STARTER JAMMED INTO PLACE, BURNED STARTER UP.

NHTSA complaint #781802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CASING AROUND TRANSMISSION CRACKED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #524338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Ford, MA

SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S MOTORIZED SHOULDER SEATBELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT, RESULTING IN BOTH SHOULDER BELTS BECOMING INOPERATIVE. WILL NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #821139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rolling Hills Estate, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE , GOT IN CAR STARTED TO BACK UP AND THE BODY FELL ON THE WHEEL WELL. LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE WELD WAS THE ACTUAL FRACTURE POINT.

NHTSA complaint #811896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash

SEATS

WHILE IDLING DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #980379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Danville, PA

SEAT BELTS

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT WILL NOT STOP, CONTINUES TO SLIDE UP/DOWN TRACK.

NHTSA complaint #510568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

WHILE DRIVING, LOWER ARM BROKE, CAUSED VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE, VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE; SPEED 5 MPH; FEW MINUTES BEFORE, WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, NO ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #803632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.

NHTSA complaint #509354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.

NHTSA complaint #509354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.

NHTSA complaint #509354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS

FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.

NHTSA complaint #509354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apopka, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDOW LIFT FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #484065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Apopka, FL

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #484065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEA Girt, NJ Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT)

NHTSA complaint #502287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Madison, WI

SEAT BELTS

DRIVERS MOTORBELT STUCK IN CENTER OF TRACK, PASSENGERS MOTORBELT FAILED. *DSH

NHTSA complaint #503060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wilmington, NC Crash

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULT ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #980379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.