Owners have filed 78 complaints
about the 1996 Saab 900 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2024.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 5 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 52
Against the median year of the Saab 900. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 33
6.4% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Manual Transmission
518.5%
12V/24V/48V Battery
414.8%
Tank Assembly
414.8%
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
311.1%
Engine
311.1%
Headlights
311.1%
Automatic Transmission
311.1%
AIR Conditioner
27.4%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
342.9%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
114.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
342.9%
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.
Jan 1996peak 12Feb 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 1996 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.
DP00008Opened 25 Sep 2000Closed 19 Nov 2001ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
a
SQ98018Opened 9 Oct 1998Closed 27 Oct 1998WHEELS
NEW WHEEL BOLTS
saab issued a tsb informing dealers about a new wheel mounting bolt.If the issue is loosening of the lug nut, this could lead to bolt fatigue and the potential for a wheel separation.
Recalls on the 1996 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 19981634,340 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE SECTION TITLED "HEADLAMP AIMING" WAS OMITTED FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSERT A PAGE SUPPLEMENT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL CONTAINING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON HEADLAMP AIMING.
Recall 19970992,454 units in Canada
Engine
NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHINGS IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CORRODE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: ZINC-COATED THROTTLE LEVER BUSHING IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
Recall 199607030 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
NOTE: 5 DOOR VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 210 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NON HEAT TREATED OUTBOARD ATTACHMENT PLATE ON THE SAFETY BELT WHICH COULD IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES DEFORM AND DETACH FROM THE SEAT ANCHORAGE. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 72,000 milesMontclair, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON APRIL 27, 2003, MY SAAB 900 SE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN A MINUTE HAD COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. THE "CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND JUST ESCAPED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE HAD TO CALL ME TO GET THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER AND VIN, AS THEY HAD MELTED. THE CAR HAD 72,000 MILES AND HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. JUST MONTHS BEFORE IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY INSPECTED. THE CAR WAS IN SHOW ROOM CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10016693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port, RIFire
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER A 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA BEFORE A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SITE TO PUT OUT FIRE. SAAB HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VEHICLE TRAVELING, CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SENSOR. THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHILE IN GEAR AND BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID BY LTHE LEAKING TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #873699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port, RIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
AFTER A 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA BEFORE A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SITE TO PUT OUT FIRE. SAAB HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VEHICLE TRAVELING, CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SENSOR. THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHILE IN GEAR AND BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID BY LTHE LEAKING TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #873699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port, RIFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
AFTER A 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT. SMOKE WAS NOTICED COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AREA BEFORE A FIRE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON SITE TO PUT OUT FIRE. SAAB HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK VEHICLE TRAVELING, CHECK THE ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED AND STAYED ON THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A SENSOR. THE VEHICLE SLIPS WHILE IN GEAR AND BEFORE GOING INTO GEAR DUE TO LOSS OF FLUID BY LTHE LEAKING TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #873699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monk Kisco, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE IDLING IN PARKED POSITION, OCCUPANTS SMELLED FUNNY ODOR, SMELL GOT WQRSE, SUBSEQUENTLY FIRE STARTED COMING FROM UNDERHOOD, VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #807075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Waterford, ME
AIR BAGS
Passenger airbag deployed for no reason while driving car, no warning lights on dashboard, no impact, no precipitating event occured
NHTSA complaint #11569616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 99,000 milesCorvallis, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
DRIVING SMOOTHLY AT 50 MPH IN 1996 SAAB 900 SE TURBO, 99K MILES. ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY BUT SMOOTHLY DROPS TO ZERO AND STOPPED IN A VERY UNSAFE PLACE ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. ABSOLUTELY NO FAULTS OF ANY KIND OCCURRED DURING THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS CAR'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY IN JAN. 2000 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER.
NHTSA complaint #10141798 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,857 milesAlexandria, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
IN JUNE 2003, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL TANK OF MY 1996 SAAB 900S. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. ON 28 JULY 2004, THE REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2005, THE SECOND REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10135288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,857 milesAlexandria, VA
EQUIPMENT
IN JUNE 2003, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL TANK OF MY 1996 SAAB 900S. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. ON 28 JULY 2004, THE REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2005, THE SECOND REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10135288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNorth Haven, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
PRIOR TO DI FAILURE, STARTING IMPAIRMENT AND MISFIRES DETECTED WITH CEL. UPON FAILURE, CAR WOULD NOT RUN AND STEERING WAS LOST. TO CORRECT FAILURE, NEW DI WAS FITTED AFTER IT WAS BROKEN. SYMPTOMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REASON ENOUGH TO CHANGE IT EARLY.
NHTSA complaint #10130620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesFairport, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING BALL BEARRINGS EXPLODED IN THE LOWER ENGINE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF CLEAN OIL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MAUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10103134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBraintree, MA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHEN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPENED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S CABIN.
NHTSA complaint #10042730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesMontclair, NJFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON APRIL 27, 2003, MY SAAB 900 SE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN A MINUTE HAD COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. THE "CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND JUST ESCAPED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE HAD TO CALL ME TO GET THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER AND VIN, AS THEY HAD MELTED. THE CAR HAD 72,000 MILES AND HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. JUST MONTHS BEFORE IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY INSPECTED. THE CAR WAS IN SHOW ROOM CONDITION.
NHTSA complaint #10016693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sunrise, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ODOMETER FRAUD. THE ADVERTISED MILEAGE WAS 55,000 BUT THE CARFAX REPORTED THE MILEAGE AT 150,000 MILES OVER A YEAR AGO. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER, TOOK BACK MY DEPOSIT AND GAVE BACK THE CAR. THEY INFORMED ME THEY ALREADY HAD ANOTHER BUYER FOR THE CAR AND ARE STILL ADVERTISING IT WITH 55,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10011091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norfolk, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB (SAAB 900 SE)
NHTSA complaint #10011829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bondsville, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oshkosh, WI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A RADDLING NOISE, HAD IT CHECKED OUT. MAIN FRONT LEFT SPRING HAD FRACTURED. SPRING REPLACEMENT, 44 83-178.CONTACTED DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #8016343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katonah, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST, FIFTH, OR REVERSE. KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED SINCE IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. SAAB HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #763930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
PLASTIC FUEL TANK IS LEAKING, DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8009085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
S MODEL, CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL, DEALER DETERMINED THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. PART WAS REPLACED, NEW FUEL TANK HAS LEAKED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #8009011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DIX Hills, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
INTERMITTENTLY GEARBOX LIGHT WILL LIGHT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE 1ST AND SECOND GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS VEHICLE MAY NOT GET UP TO HIGHTWAY SPEEDS AT RAMPS, ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE W/ SAAB. I CONTACTED THEM REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATED THERE ARE NO SAFETY ISSUES OPEN ON THIS VEHICLE. OVER 25 POSTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON SAABNET.COM. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR VEHICLE TWICE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800.00 TRYING TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM . PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA complaint #759497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE. IT HAS REQUIRED THREE TOWS FROM JUNE 2001 TO FEBRUARY 2002. THE MOST EXPENSIVE FAILURE OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE (INTERNATIONAL MOTORS, FALLS CHURCH, VA), AND THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK THAT WAS NOT CAUGHT BY THEIR MECHANICS. I HAVE CONTACTED SAAB CORPORATE BY LETTER IN DECEMBER 2001 ABOUT MY MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THEIR RESPONSE BY TELEPHONE WAS THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #758034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A NIGHTMARE. IT HAS REQUIRED THREE TOWS FROM JUNE 2001 TO FEBRUARY 2002. THE MOST EXPENSIVE FAILURE OCCURRED THE DAY AFTER I HAD TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE (INTERNATIONAL MOTORS, FALLS CHURCH, VA), AND THE TRANSMISSION AND CLUTCH FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK THAT WAS NOT CAUGHT BY THEIR MECHANICS. I HAVE CONTACTED SAAB CORPORATE BY LETTER IN DECEMBER 2001 ABOUT MY MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. THEIR RESPONSE BY TELEPHONE WAS THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #758034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Katonal, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE TRAVELING 60MPH TRANSMISSION BECAME LOCKED IN GEAR. WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR. HAD REMAINED IN 4TH GEAR UNTIL ABLE TO SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO SERVICE STATION, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #890255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brunswick, ME
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CHAIN HAS TO BE REPLACED AFTER 75,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD WARNING NOISE. SAAB DEALER FOUND PROBLEM AFTER DOING A ROUTINE SERVICE CHECK. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FOUND, DEALER HAS NEVER DONE REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #888235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SAAB CARS USA REFUSES TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH PLATE EXAMINED BY SPECIALISTS AND THEY ALL THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MOST EXPERTS HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLUTCH PLATE SPLIT IN HALF LIKE THIS. THE DEBRIS FROM THE CLUTCH DISINTEGRATING BLEW INTO THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING CAUSING A HOLE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CLUTCH EXPLODING. I SENT PHOTOS TO SAAB AND THREE SEPARATE LETTERS REQUESTING THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THESE FACTS.
NHTSA complaint #739164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
SAAB CARS USA REFUSES TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH PLATE EXAMINED BY SPECIALISTS AND THEY ALL THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MOST EXPERTS HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLUTCH PLATE SPLIT IN HALF LIKE THIS. THE DEBRIS FROM THE CLUTCH DISINTEGRATING BLEW INTO THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING CAUSING A HOLE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CLUTCH EXPLODING. I SENT PHOTOS TO SAAB AND THREE SEPARATE LETTERS REQUESTING THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT THESE FACTS.
NHTSA complaint #739164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #737809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #737809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingston, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #737809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.