FaultScore

Worst years for a Saab 9000

Owners have filed 196 complaints about the Saab 9000 with NHTSA across model years 1986 to 1998. More of them are about the transmission & drivetrain than anything else.

Avoid

1993 Saab 9000

34 complaints — the highest FaultScore of any year, mostly transmission & drivetrain.

Cleanest on record

1995 Saab 9000

10 complaints — the lowest FaultScore of the graded years.

Every Saab 9000 year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row 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
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
1998 1 0 0 Suspension
1997 8 0 0 45,900 Engine & Cooling
1996 C 23 2 2 55,000 Engine & Cooling
1995 A 10 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
1994 C 20 0 0 Brakes
1993 D 34 1 1 Transmission & Drivetrain
1992 32 0 1 Transmission & Drivetrain
1991 11 0 1 Transmission & Drivetrain
1990 8 0 2 Brakes
1989 24 2 3 Electrical System
1988 17 0 3 Electrical System
1987 5 0 1 Electrical System
1986 3 0 2 Fuel & Propulsion

What breaks on a Saab 9000

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Worst in 1993

Worst in 1989

Brakes 26 13.3%

Worst in 1994

Engine & Cooling 23 11.7%

Worst in 1996

Fuel & Propulsion 20 10.2%

Worst in 1992

Airbags 10 5.1%

Worst in 1994

Seat Belts 10 5.1%

Worst in 1993

Acceleration & Cruise Control 9 4.6%

Worst in 1997

Lights 7 3.6%

Worst in 1989

Seats 6 3.1%

Worst in 1988

Body & Structure 5 2.6%

Worst in 1987

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 2.6%

Worst in 1992

Tires 3 1.5%

Worst in 1992

Equipment & Accessories 3 1.5%

Worst in 1991

Exactly what failed on a Saab 9000

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 16 21.6%
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) 10 13.5%
Automatic Transmission 10 13.5%
Engine 7 9.5%
Tank Assembly 7 9.5%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 5 6.8%
Buckle Assembly 5 6.8%
Front Underhood 5 6.8%
Frontal 5 6.8%
Gasoline 4 5.4%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Saab 9000, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Feb 1995 peak 12 Aug 2012

Compare the Saab 9000

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.