Owners have filed 34 complaints
about the 1993 Saab 9000 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 4 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 — 78
Against the median year of the Saab 9000. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 46
8.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
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.
Oct 1995peak 3May 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Saab 9000
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.
SQ98006Opened 22 Apr 1998Closed 8 May 1998ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
Recalls on the 1993 Saab 9000
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
99V109000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Risk: THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
95V067000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Risk: THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
94V126000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Risk: OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
94V108000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
A NUMBER OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES HAVE AN OVAL-SHAPED PISTON WHICH CAN GET STUCK UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. OTHER SWITCHES WERE MOUNTED SO THAT BOTH LOCKING TABS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGED IN THE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF ONE SIDE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE SWITCH IS MISALIGNED WITH THE PEDAL MECHANISM AND CAN BIND THE PISTON MOVEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO STICK IN THE "OFF" OR "ON" POSITION.
Risk: THIS RESULTS IN EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS RESULTS IN INACCURATE SIGNALS OF BRAKE OPERATION TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
94V029000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
THE FUEL FILLER AND TANK VENTILATION HOSES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS UNDER THE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1999114825 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, moisture could enter the air bag electronic control module and cause corrosion on portions of the ECM printer circuit boards. This condition can, in extreme cases, create open connections in circuits controlling air bag deployment with the possibility of inadvertent air bag and/or pretensioner deployment. Correction: Dealers will inspect the electronic control module and install a protective cover over the module to prevent moisture from entering.
Recall 1995114365 units in Canada
Brakes
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH "MkII" ABS BRAKING SYSTEM, MOISTURE MAY FOLLOW THE WIRING TO THE PRESSURE WARNING SWITCH ON THE ABS UNIT WHICH CAN CAUSE CORROSION TO BUILD UP ON THE CONNECTION TERMINAL. A MALFUNCTION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE. CORRECTION: IF THE SWITCH CONNECTION PINS ARE CORRODED, THE SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED. ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE SWITCH CONNECTION WILL BE SPRAYED WITH A COATING AND SHRINK SLEEVE WILL BE APPLIED TO SEAL THE CONNECTION FROM WATER.
Recall 1994125502 units in Canada
Engine
A SLIGHTLY DOWNWARD LOW ENERGY IMPACT COULD RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE ENGINE OIL COOLER HOSE AND/OR HOUSING. LEAKING OIL FROM THE OIL COOLER CAN BE IGNITED BY A HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR TURBOCHARGER RESULTING IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. CORRECTION: A PROTECTIVE COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE OIL COOLER.
Recall 1994122402 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
THERE IS A RISK THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN STICK IN THE "ON" OR "OFF" POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR IN THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.
Recall 1994082159 units in Canada
Fuel System
CRACKS CAN DEVELOP IN THE TWO (2) RUBBER HOSES THAT CONNECT THE FUEL TANK WITH THE PLASTIC PIPES WHICH GO TO THE FUEL FILLER HOUSING. THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HOSES AND REPLACE THE CLAMPS WITH NEW STYLE CLAMPS THAT HAVE A PROTECTIVE INNER LAYER.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Ithaca, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRACATION CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED NOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE ROAD. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT ALMOST DID SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #701322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eustis, FLFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #534046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Yakima, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WE FIXED THE CAR THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL WAS LEAKING, AND IT WAS A BIG SPRAY IN THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT WE HAD TROUBLE WITH TURNING IT ON AND IT STAYING ON. NOW THE CAR ABOUT NOVEMBER '05 IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GAS AGAIN. IT IS NOW MAY 9 2006 AND WE TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS TEST IN MARCH '06 AND THEY WEREN'T TOO SURE WHAT THE MISHAP IS. WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED I AM CURRENTLY 2 MONTHS PREGNANT AND I WILL PRETTY SOON NEED TO CARRY MY CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE BUT I AM REALLY SCARED OF WHAT COULD GO WRONG. I CONSTANTLY GET RIDES FROM MY MOTHER, BECAUSE OF THE CAR DYING ON ME.
NHTSA complaint #10157071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,291 milesMinneapolis, MN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE MOTOR WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10087278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mahtomedi, MN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10063542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesPark City, UT
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HAVING TO BE CUT OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10015397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CUTS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE PEDEL FORCEFUL COMES UP, CAR SLOWS - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TILL FOOT IS LIFTED OF ACCELERATOR AND DEPRESSED AGAIN. PEDAL IS NOW HARD TO DEPRESS AND POWER LOSS IS SIGNIFCANT FROM NORMAL. VERY ENJOYABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AND CHANGING LANES IN FRONT OF A SEMI. THIS WILL HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING - TRYING TO PASS, GET ON A FREEWAY, ETC. THIS HAPPENS UPON DEPRESSING THE PEDAL ONLY SLIGHTLY. THERE IS NO MODIFICATIONS TO CORRECT AND TURN OFF COMPLETELY. DT
NHTSA complaint #768598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, NC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
NHTSA RECALL 99V109000, AIR BAG MODULE, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND AT TIMES THE LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8017509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durwood, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN, AND VEHICLE TO BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE; CURRENTLY, IT IS GOING ON THE 3RD TIME, AND HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED FAILURES OF THE COMPONENTS RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE EACH TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8011945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cambridge, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN WITHOUT NEED WHEN THERE ARE NO SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD OR SOME TIMES A BUMP, IT ALSO ACTIVATES AT HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #785795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cambridge, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN WITHOUT NEED WHEN THERE ARE NO SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD OR SOME TIMES A BUMP, IT ALSO ACTIVATES AT HIGH SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #785795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FUEL. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND DETERMINED THAT TANK HAS CRACKED UNDER THE BELTS.*AK DEALER REPLACED THE TANK AND VALVE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #891246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Charles, IL
TIRES
3 OF 4 TIRES EXHIBITED TIRE BELT BUNCHING OR SHIFTING, RESULTING IN ROUGH RIDE AND FADE OR CHANGE IN FEEL OF STEARING. THE DEALERSHIP COVERED THE TIRES UNDER WARRANTY ONLY AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF PREASURE BY ME AND MY THWARTING THEIR CONFRONTATIONAL TACTICS. *AK (TIRESIZE: P205/60R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/60R15 )
NHTSA complaint #739205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NO WARNING LIGHTS OR BACK UP SYSTEMS CAME INTO PLAY!
NHTSA complaint #729357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winchester, MA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE. APPEARED TO HAVE SHEARED IN TWO PARTS. PARTS WERE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #862149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Curtis, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ONE WHEEL WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED AT 20000 MILES BY DEALER. IT WAS NOT ROUND. SRS (RESTRAINT SYSTEM) WAS RECALLED AND WORKED ON IN AUGUST OF 1999, BUT HAS FAILED ALREADY (SEPTEMBER OF 1999).
NHTSA complaint #715100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Curtis, MI
WHEELS
ONE WHEEL WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED AT 20000 MILES BY DEALER. IT WAS NOT ROUND. SRS (RESTRAINT SYSTEM) WAS RECALLED AND WORKED ON IN AUGUST OF 1999, BUT HAS FAILED ALREADY (SEPTEMBER OF 1999).
NHTSA complaint #715100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waynesboro, TN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON DUE TO THE FRONT SENSORS GOING BAD. DLR REPLACED THE FRONT SENSORS AND RESET AIRBAG LIGHT. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. MJS
NHTSA complaint #848646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WIRING HARNESS WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT IS INOPERATIVE WHICH WON'T PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN EVENT OF A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #843067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Haven, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
CASTING PLUG ON WATER PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN LEAKAGE.
NHTSA complaint #545737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jersey City, NJ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT UNLATCH OR RELEASE, TRAPPING THE OCCUPANT IN THE SEAT. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #833981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeton, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, WHILE GOING OVER A BRIDGE VEHICLE DIED OUT AND LOST POWER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR REPAIR WORK, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #833290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ithaca, NYCrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
THE TRACATION CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED NOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE ROAD. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT ALMOST DID SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #701322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Windham, ME
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 29,000; SECOND TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 66,000; AND THIRD TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED AT 98,000. MOST RECENT INCIDENT LEFT ME UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IN TRAFFIC AS TRANSMISSION WAS UNABLE TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 3RD GEAR. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR SCARY EXPERIENCES OR IF OTHERS HAVE REPLACED THIS TRANSMISSION NUMEROUS TIMES. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #700434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peabody, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
RECALL 94V029000, FUEL SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL OR THE WORK WAS ALREADY DONE. DEALER. ALSO INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE. SOMEONE DID THE WORK AND DID NOT REPORT IT. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND IS CHARGING THE CONSUMER TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #826018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eustis, FLFire1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #534046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT. Lauderdale, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CHECK VALVE FROM FUEL PUMP IS CRACKING, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK UNDER PRESSURE ABOVE THE FUEL TANK.
NHTSA complaint #526212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.