Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 1998 Saab 900 with NHTSA between 1998 and 2017.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 17
Against the median year of the Saab 900. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
26.9% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 37
21% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
17.1%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
214.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
321.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
214.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
17.1%
150,000+ miles
535.7%
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 1998peak 2Jul 2017
NHTSA investigations into the 1998 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.
PE01018Opened 24 May 2001Closed 9 Aug 2001AIR BAGS
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
ALLEGED THAT THE PASSENGER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT A FRONTAL CRASH.
DP00008Opened 25 Sep 2000Closed 19 Nov 2001ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
a
SQ98023Opened 29 Oct 1998Closed 24 Nov 1998VISIBILITY
STOP SALE NOTICE
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
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 1998 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
01V222000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. STATIC ELECTRICITY CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE AND CREATE ENOUGH OF A CHARGE TO CAUSE AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MOST OF THESE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN COOLER, DRY WEATHER, AND HAVE GENERALLY INCLUDED DUSTING OR WIPING OF THE DASHBOARD, STARTING THE CAR, OR CLOSING THE DOOR.
Risk: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
98V139000
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
98V038000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2001191236 units in Canada
Airbag
Certain passenger vehicles. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create significant enough charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment during triggering events. Most of these triggering events have occurred in cooler, dry weather and have generally included dusting or wiping of the dashboard, starting the car, or closing the door. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury. Correction: Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 210,000 milesGainesville, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
CAR STARTED AND DRIVEN APPROX 50 YARDS AND THEN CAME TO TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOPPED. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED AT STOP LIGHT. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE CAR PROCEEDED. CAR DRIVEN TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF STREET TO PARK AND ASSESS SITUATION. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN ACROSS STREET, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION WITH AND NO TAPPING OF ANOTHER CAR OCCURRED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND W/O DEBRIS. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AND NO LIGHTING OR THUNDER WAS PRESENT. WHAT APPEAR TO BE FIRST DEGREES BURNS WERE SUSTAINED ON THE LATERAL ASPECT OF THE RIGHT FOREARM AND HAND. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO EYE OR FACE.
NHTSA complaint #11011506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesGainesville, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
WARM ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND CAR DRIVEN TO INTERSECTION ROUGHLY 50 YARDS AWAY. AT STOP LIGHT, SRS LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND THEN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR STILL STOPPED. CAR THEN TURNED TO GO TO OTHER SIDE OF STREET TO PARK. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN CROSSING STREET, APPROX 5 MPH MAX, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CLEAN, WITH NO DEBRIS ON ROAD. WEATHER WAS GOOD, WITH NO RAIN, THUNDER OR LIGHTNING PRESENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SUPERFICIAL BURNS ON LATERAL SIDE OF R FOREARM AND HAND. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO FACE OR EYES.
NHTSA complaint #11011539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,500 milesReno, NV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. GM WILL NOT FIX THE CAR AND HAS OFFERED A VERY LOW REPURCHASE OFFER ($1100.00 LESS THAN KBB TRADE IN VALUE).
NHTSA complaint #10329720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jericho, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PASSED IN OFF POSITION AND FOR NO CAUSE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE REPAIR, THEY INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ONE PERSON WAS INJURIED DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #884529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jericho, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PASSED IN OFF POSITION AND FOR NO CAUSE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE REPAIR, THEY INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ONE PERSON WAS INJURIED DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #884529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE PARKED, I WAS TURNING ON THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME. VERY DANGEROUS, MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BEHIND ME AND WAS KNOCKED DOWN. IN ADDITION, I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION (DEALER COMMENTS). CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND FOUND ANOTHER INCIDENT AROUND THE SAME TIME A YEAR BEFORE, SAME MAKE,MODEL,YEAR. ISN'T THIS A PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #739252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 210,000 milesGainesville, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
CAR STARTED AND DRIVEN APPROX 50 YARDS AND THEN CAME TO TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOPPED. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED AT STOP LIGHT. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE CAR PROCEEDED. CAR DRIVEN TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF STREET TO PARK AND ASSESS SITUATION. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN ACROSS STREET, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION WITH AND NO TAPPING OF ANOTHER CAR OCCURRED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND W/O DEBRIS. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AND NO LIGHTING OR THUNDER WAS PRESENT. WHAT APPEAR TO BE FIRST DEGREES BURNS WERE SUSTAINED ON THE LATERAL ASPECT OF THE RIGHT FOREARM AND HAND. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO EYE OR FACE.
NHTSA complaint #11011506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesGainesville, FL1 injured
AIR BAGS
WARM ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND CAR DRIVEN TO INTERSECTION ROUGHLY 50 YARDS AWAY. AT STOP LIGHT, SRS LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND THEN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR STILL STOPPED. CAR THEN TURNED TO GO TO OTHER SIDE OF STREET TO PARK. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN CROSSING STREET, APPROX 5 MPH MAX, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CLEAN, WITH NO DEBRIS ON ROAD. WEATHER WAS GOOD, WITH NO RAIN, THUNDER OR LIGHTNING PRESENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SUPERFICIAL BURNS ON LATERAL SIDE OF R FOREARM AND HAND. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO FACE OR EYES.
NHTSA complaint #11011539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200 milesPenngrove, CA
AIR BAGS
I OWN A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS DRIVING A CUSTOMER VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET AT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A MINUTE I DECIDED I SHOULD PULL THE CAR A LITTLE MORE OFF THE ROAD , AS I WAS DOING THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10969652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesWestbury, NY
AIR BAGS
I HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A STREET, GOING STRAIGHT, AT ABOUT 20 MPH, WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HITTING ME. I PULLED OVER. THE CAR HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. THE RESULT IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED, THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHT DISLODGED AND I WAS DISORIENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10811282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 76,500 milesReno, NV1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. GM WILL NOT FIX THE CAR AND HAS OFFERED A VERY LOW REPURCHASE OFFER ($1100.00 LESS THAN KBB TRADE IN VALUE).
NHTSA complaint #10329720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 174,000 milesAcworth, GA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE SRS LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOLLOWED BY DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER BAG. THE DRIVER SIDE BAG DEPLOYED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS AFTER THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED.
NHTSA complaint #10286200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesPachuta, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SAAB 900 SE TURBO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING, SPITTING, AND STUTTERING AS IF IT NEEDED GAS. THE VEHICLE THEN SHUT OFF AND RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE AND HAS REMAINED PARKED EVER SINCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10228167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesArlington, VA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
MY 1998 SAAB 900 SE TURBO CONVERTIBLE HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT, AND YET I'VE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WHICH COMPLETELY FAILED -- THANKFULLY I WAS STILL IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT CONKED OUT, THIS IS RIDICULOUSLY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CAR ACCORDING TO MY SAAB SPECIALIST MECHANIC. I SAW THAT THE 2000 AND 2002 MODEL DI CASSETTES WERE RECALLED BUT NOT THE EARLIER MODELS. WONDERING IF THERE'S A WAY FOR REDRESS.
NHTSA complaint #10199775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNorth Reading, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER
CHRONIC, ABRUPT STALLING PROBLEMS FOR 3+ YEARS. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPAIR ON AT LEAST, 15+ OCCASIONS. DEALERSHIP HAD IT AT THEIR FACILITY FOR OVER 3 MONTHS ONE PERIOD, CONDUCTING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. PARTS CHANGED: SENSORS; MULTIPLE TIMES, WIRING HARNESS, "MAIN COMPUTER CHIP" AND VARIOUS OTHER PARTS. THE CAR ABRUPTLY STALLS. IT WILL STALL AT ANYTIME - WHETHER DRIVING, COASTING, AT A STOP, OR ON THE EXPRESSWAY. IT WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE ROADSIDE MULTIPLE TIMES OVER AND OVER WITHOUT CAUSING A COLLISION. I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN LAST WEEK AFTER THEY "POSSIBLY FIXED IT AGAIN" . I DROVE A DISTANCE OF 15 MILES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED STAMMERING, JERKING AND STALLING AGAIN. IT TOOK ME OVER AN HOUR TO DRIVE THE RETURN FEW BACK HOME, WHICH WAS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. THE VEHICLE IS KEPT GARAGED BY ME, IN MINT BODY CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT AND ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. SAAB HAS OFFERED TO APPLY 4,000 CREDIT TOWARD A PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THEM. IT IS CLEAR SAAB KNOWS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE OR WOULD NOT HAVE MADE OFFER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VEHICLE IS WORTH MUCH MORE THAN WHAT THEY HAD OFFERED; ASIDE FROM BEING MECHANICALLY DEFECTIVE/UNREPAIRABLE, THEY CAN'T TRACE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR VEHICLE THAT THEY MADE. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IN ANOTHER CAR PYMT AND AM IN REAL FEAR THAT WILL BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN THIS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. I HAD PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT FOR EXACT THIS SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEM (THAT STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED NOR EVEN INVESTIGATED BY THE ODI OR NHTSA). I SEE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET WITH SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SAAB VEHICLES. SOMEONE NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS TO HAVE THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. UNFORTUNATELY, I'M SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS NO OTHER OPTION THAN TO DRIVE A VEHICLE LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10184358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 169,000 milesSaint Albans, VT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 01V222000, REGARDING AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION ABOUT THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10174422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesRichmond, VA
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOTH THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CONTROL MODULE SHORTED CAUSING THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS, AND SEATBELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10170335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesRichmond, VA
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOTH THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CONTROL MODULE SHORTED CAUSING THE DEPLOYMENT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS, AND SEATBELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10170335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesNorth Reading, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1998 SAAB 900SE CONVERTIBLE - HAS HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM 1YR+ OF VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLING WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. USUALLY COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER A MINUTE, BUT NOW IS DIFFICULT TO RE-START ONCE IT STALLS. THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AND IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO CONTROL WHEN STALLS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES 10+ RETURNS; VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND/OR REPLACED. SENSORS, MAIN COMPUTER CHIP, REWIRING, ETC.. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IS GETTING MUCH WORSE. THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS ONLY 59,000 MILES THIS CAR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THE DEALERSHIP IS AT A LOSS AS WHAT TO DO NEXT. I HAVE A CAR THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10131011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 155,285 milesOrtonville, MI
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 1998 900 SAAB SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAD ABOUT 155,500 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED BELOW. RECENTLY, I WAS GOING TO REMOVE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPRIGHTS TO REPLACE THE SHOCK ABSORBER INSERTS. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE "STEERING PIVOT ARM" (A HOLLOW CLAM-SHELL STAMPING WELDED TO THE UPRIGHT) WAS SO SEVERELY RUSTED OUT THAT I COULD ACTUALLY SLIP MY HAND INSIDE THE ARM. (APPROXIMATELY, 1/2 OF ITS TOTAL SURFACE AREA WAS GONE AND FATIGUE CRACKS WERE DEVELOPING IN THE REMAINING PORTION.) THE STEERING RACK TIE ROD END ATTACHES TO THIS ARM. TO MY KNOWLEDGE ALL SAAB 900S FROM 1994-2000 WERE DESIGNED WITH THIS TYPE OF STEERING LINKAGE THAT USES A RACK MOUNTED HIGH ON THE FRONT-OF-DASH, CONNECTED TO THE WHEEL VIA THIS PIVOT ARM WELDED TO THE UPRIGHT. HAD THIS PIVOT ARM BROKEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF MECHANICAL WORK TO MY VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS, BUT THIS SHOCKED ME SO MUCH THAT I DIDN'T EVEN TRUST DRIVING THE CAR THE 45 MINUTES TO THE DEALER. I ORDERED REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM A REPUTABLE (SAAB ONLY) SAVAGE DEALER IN NEW YORK STATE ($470) AND REPLACED BOTH LH & RH SUSPENSION UPRIGHTS MYSELF. I HAVE RETURNED THE CAR TO SERVICE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SAAB CUSTOMER SERVICE (REPORT #1-75588105) BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEVERITY OF THE INCIDENT OR HOW CRITICAL THE INTEGRITY OF THIS PIVOT ARM IS TO CONTROLLING THE CAR. THEY PASSED THIS OFF SAYING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. DOES STEERING CONTROL GO OUT OF WARRANTY? I HAVE SAVED THE RUSTED COMPONENTS AND HAVE PHOTOGRAPHS AVAILABLE THAT WERE TAKEN WHILE THE PART WAS STILL MOUNTED IN THE CAR. MY FEAR IS THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHERS IN THE COUNTRY WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10121692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Snellville, GA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR THE RIGHT SIDE MARKER HAS FALLEN OUT TWICE IN 13 MONTHS.
NHTSA complaint #10097933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Medway, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
KEEP HEARING THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM, COULD BE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE WHEN TOP IS STUCK OPEN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A 4 YR OLD CAR DEALER WANTS $ 1,700. FOR NEW MOTOR. MR
NHTSA complaint #768074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jericho, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PASSED IN OFF POSITION AND FOR NO CAUSE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE REPAIR, THEY INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ONE PERSON WAS INJURIED DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #884529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jericho, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND PASSED IN OFF POSITION AND FOR NO CAUSE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT.*AK CONSUMER STATES DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE REPAIR, THEY INDICATED THAT THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW AN AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, DEALER COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY AIR BAG DEPLOYED, ONE PERSON WAS INJURIED DUE TO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
NHTSA complaint #884529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgewater, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE PARKED, I WAS TURNING ON THE CAR FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND HIT ME. VERY DANGEROUS, MY THREE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS BEHIND ME AND WAS KNOCKED DOWN. IN ADDITION, I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING AND HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. APPARENTLY THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION (DEALER COMMENTS). CHECKED YOUR DATABASE AND FOUND ANOTHER INCIDENT AROUND THE SAME TIME A YEAR BEFORE, SAME MAKE,MODEL,YEAR. ISN'T THIS A PROBLEM?
NHTSA complaint #739252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rumford, RI1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #878077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhattan, CA
WHEELS:RIM
ALL 4 LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS BENT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #544911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennebunk Port, ME
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AND NO FRONTAL IMPACTS, PASSENGER'S AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSEDA LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER ADMITTED THEY HAD A DEFECTIVE DESIGN PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #854417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Huntington, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
THE TURN SIGNAL REMAINS ON AFTER TURNING. YH
NHTSA complaint #608607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Centerport, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:COLUMN SHIFT ASSEMBLY
THERE IS NO INTERLOCK ON MANUAL TRANSMISSION TO PREVENT THE CAR STARTING IN GEAR. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Belgium Europe, LE 4800, UN
STEERING
DIFFICULT STEERING VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #540802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.