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FaultScore report

1990 Saab 900 problems

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 1990 Saab 900 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003. The largest single group is the brakes.

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

21

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

2

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

How 1990 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 1990 Saab 900

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

Brakes 7 33.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 14.3%
Electrical System 3 14.3%

0 crashes, 2 fires

Airbags 2 9.5%

2 crashes, 0 fires

Engine & Cooling 2 9.5%
Seats 1 4.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 1 4.8%
Suspension 1 4.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 175,756 mi

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 4.8%

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.

Jan 1995 peak 4 Feb 2003

NHTSA investigations into the 1990 Saab 900

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

EA94011 Opened 28 Feb 1994 Closed 28 Feb 1995 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

FUEL PUMP FAILS/TANK LEAKS

PE93087 Opened 5 Oct 1993 Closed 28 Feb 1994 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

FUEL PUMP FAILS/TANK LEAKS

Complaints that involved harm

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

at 175,756 miles Manteca, CA Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

ATT: NHTSA I HAVE A 90 TURBO CONV AND WHILE DRIVING MY LOWER A-ARM BROKE WHERE THE WELD IS. I HAVE HEARD THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 900'S THAT HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON THEM BUT HAVE FOUND NO RECALLS. I WAS DOING 65 MPH AT THE TIME IT BROKE BUT IF THIS HAD BEEN SOMEONE ELSE OR IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER YOU COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH MINOR DAMAGE. THIS FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN IN REVERSE AS MOST PEOPLE CLAIM.........IT HAPPENED WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT 65 MPH.........THIS IS MY CONCERN. IF THE ARM FATIGUES AT THE WELD STRESS POINT AND BREAKS WHILE BACKING UP JUST IMAGINE HOW BAD THE CRACK MUST BE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. SINCE THE LOAD CAN'T BE AS GREAT ON THE ARM AS IT IS WHEN AT SPEED AND TURNING THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT I WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I WILL POST PIC'S AS SOON AS I GET IT BACK FROM THE SHOP. I SENT THIS E-MAIL TO SAAB CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND I'M WAITING FOR A RESPONSE WHICH I WILL FORWARD. I ALSO POSTED THIS ON SEVERAL SAAB WEBSITES. PLEASE IF ANYONE KNOWS OF SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS LET ME KNOW, ALSO IF ANYONE KNOWS WHO TO CONTACT TO REPORT THIS I WOULD APPRECIATE A CONTACT SINCE THIS COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR EVEN KILLED. ATT: SAAB USA I POSTED THIS ON SAABNET.COM AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE E-MAIL ME. I'M ALSO GOING TO FORWARD THIS TO THE NHTSA SINCE I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FIXED WITH A RECALL. I HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO INFORM OTHERS OF THIS AND WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MORE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM. THANKS FRANK 510-413-1663 FZAPPETT@NDCUS.JNJ.COM

NHTSA complaint #10005411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado Springs, CO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH AN SUV, BOTH TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE SAAB HAS BEEN TOTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #823843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado S, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON 35MPH CRASH. BOTH VEHICLES, TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WERE BOTH TRAVELING AT 35MPH. DRIVER FRACTURED STERNUM AND THE FRONT END WAS FORCED BACK INTO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #536438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK FELL BACK, INJURING THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #813829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkeley, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN SOURCE OF FIRE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkeley, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN SOURCE OF FIRE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

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

at 175,756 miles Manteca, CA Crash

SUSPENSION:FRONT

ATT: NHTSA I HAVE A 90 TURBO CONV AND WHILE DRIVING MY LOWER A-ARM BROKE WHERE THE WELD IS. I HAVE HEARD THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 900'S THAT HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES ON THEM BUT HAVE FOUND NO RECALLS. I WAS DOING 65 MPH AT THE TIME IT BROKE BUT IF THIS HAD BEEN SOMEONE ELSE OR IF I HAD BEEN GOING FASTER YOU COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITH MINOR DAMAGE. THIS FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN IN REVERSE AS MOST PEOPLE CLAIM.........IT HAPPENED WHILE MOVING FORWARD AT 65 MPH.........THIS IS MY CONCERN. IF THE ARM FATIGUES AT THE WELD STRESS POINT AND BREAKS WHILE BACKING UP JUST IMAGINE HOW BAD THE CRACK MUST BE BEFORE THIS HAPPENS. SINCE THE LOAD CAN'T BE AS GREAT ON THE ARM AS IT IS WHEN AT SPEED AND TURNING THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM THAT I WILL INVESTIGATE FURTHER. I WILL POST PIC'S AS SOON AS I GET IT BACK FROM THE SHOP. I SENT THIS E-MAIL TO SAAB CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND I'M WAITING FOR A RESPONSE WHICH I WILL FORWARD. I ALSO POSTED THIS ON SEVERAL SAAB WEBSITES. PLEASE IF ANYONE KNOWS OF SAFETY RECALLS FOR THIS LET ME KNOW, ALSO IF ANYONE KNOWS WHO TO CONTACT TO REPORT THIS I WOULD APPRECIATE A CONTACT SINCE THIS COULD LEAD TO SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR EVEN KILLED. ATT: SAAB USA I POSTED THIS ON SAABNET.COM AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE E-MAIL ME. I'M ALSO GOING TO FORWARD THIS TO THE NHTSA SINCE I FEEL THIS IS A POTENTIALLY A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE FIXED WITH A RECALL. I HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO INFORM OTHERS OF THIS AND WILL INVESTIGATE THIS MORE TO SEE IF ANYONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED FROM THIS PROBLEM. THANKS FRANK 510-413-1663 FZAPPETT@NDCUS.JNJ.COM

NHTSA complaint #10005411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION , VEHICLE WILL STEER TO THE RIGHT, AND LOSE TOTAL CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #854618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Merrimac, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING EXPERIENCE SINTERMITTENT ABS BRAKE FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #538399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado Springs, CO Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH AN SUV, BOTH TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE SAAB HAS BEEN TOTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #823843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Colorado S, CO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON 35MPH CRASH. BOTH VEHICLES, TRAVELING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WERE BOTH TRAVELING AT 35MPH. DRIVER FRACTURED STERNUM AND THE FRONT END WAS FORCED BACK INTO THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #536438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Encinitas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE PULLS SEVERLY TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS IS DUE TO ABS STICKING AND ALL BRAKING POWER IS DIRECTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #528852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Norwalk, CT

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY AND UNPREDICTABLY ACCELERATE AS THE RPMS DROPPED. AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR.

NHTSA complaint #527552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Encinitas, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. MECHANIC CLAIMS VALVE IN THE ABS STICKING RESULTED IN ALL BRAKING POWER TO BE DIRECTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF SYSTEM ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #527531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairport, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FRON ENGINE MOUNT FAILED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE/LOSS OF CONTROL.

NHTSA complaint #526296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Arlington, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING ANY SPEED, LOST PART OF BRAKING ABILITY, BRAKES HARD, VEHICLE PULLS TO SIDE, INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH, ACCORDING TO DEALER, ABS SOLENOID FAILED, NEEDS REPLACING.

NHTSA complaint #816853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Reston, VA Crash 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A REAREND COLLISION AND THE DRIVER'S SEATBACK FELL BACK, INJURING THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #813829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Menlow Park, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE VEERS TO THE LEFT DURING BRAKE APPLICATION, PROBABLE CAUSE, ABS VALVE BLOCK FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #805188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Waco, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #509813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gulderland, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

VEHICLE'S ABS BRAKING SYSTEM INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLIED IN SUDDEN STOPPING CONDITIONS VEERS OFF TO THE RIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #802305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkeley, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN SOURCE OF FIRE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkeley, CA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, UNKNOWN SOURCE OF FIRE. TT

NHTSA complaint #979398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livingston, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TURN ON CAR IN PARK CAR ACCELERATED ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY CAR WOULDN'T START WHEN DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF . TT

NHTSA complaint #977828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Livingston, NJ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

TURN ON CAR IN PARK CAR ACCELERATED ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY CAR WOULDN'T START WHEN DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN CAR WOULDN'T CUT OFF . TT

NHTSA complaint #977828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hendersonvil, NC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT

THE HEATER VALVE FAILED THAT CAUSED FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET WET. TT

NHTSA complaint #970048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

ORIGINAL/REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION FAILED. *SKD

NHTSA complaint #486198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FT Washingto, MD

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE TIMING CHAIN BROKE; SPEED 35 MPH; ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE; SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. TT

NHTSA complaint #959361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.