Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 1994 Saab 9000 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 46
Against the median year of the Saab 9000. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 52
10% 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.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1994 Saab 9000
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
525.0%
Airbags
420.0%
Median failure at 206,449 miles
Engine & Cooling
315.0%
Electrical System
210.0%
Median failure at 210,000 miles
Tires
15.0%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
15.0%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.0%
Body & Structure
15.0%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
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.
Mar 1995peak 5Aug 2012
NHTSA investigations into the 1994 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 1994 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.
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 19941063 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 108 - Lighting Equipment. Faulty connection of brake lights.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 173,899 milesPrairie Village, KS1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 9000 CSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S HEAD, LEG AND SHOULDERS. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,899.
NHTSA complaint #10472903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 239,000 milesClifton, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 1 DAY SPONTANEOUS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT HWY. SPEED, ABLE TO GET CAR TO SHOULDER SLIGHT BURNS INSIDE RIGHT FOREARM, CLEAR AND DRY DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10207583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 173,899 milesPrairie Village, KS1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 9000 CSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 15-20 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ERRONEOUSLY. THE FAILURE CAUSED INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S HEAD, LEG AND SHOULDERS. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 173,899.
NHTSA complaint #10472903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesCharlotte, NC
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 9000. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND HAD OTHER UNSIGHTLY DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TOP SURFACE OF THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT $750. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 178,000.
NHTSA complaint #10280239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 239,000 milesClifton, NJ1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SRS LIGHT CAME ON WITHIN 1 DAY SPONTANEOUS DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT HWY. SPEED, ABLE TO GET CAR TO SHOULDER SLIGHT BURNS INSIDE RIGHT FOREARM, CLEAR AND DRY DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10207583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 210,000 milesEagan, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 9000. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. HE PUSHED THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS THE IGNITION MODULE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE A PART OF RECALL # 05V399000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE). THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND # OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 210,000.
NHTSA complaint #10194130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Voorheesville, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 99V109000 CONCERNING AIR BAG MODULE. AFTER HAVING THE ECM REPLACED AND INSTALLED A COVER OVER THE ECM SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.
NHTSA complaint #10101108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellesley, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIR. MECHANIC NOTICED 3 ENGINE MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8017273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellesley, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP FOR BRAKE REPAIR. MECHANIC NOTICED 3 ENGINE MOUNTS HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8017273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellesley, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 55-60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALER DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINE WAS CRUSHED DUE TO ENGINE MOVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #8017193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wellesley, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AT 55-60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DEALER DETERMINED THAT BRAKE LINE WAS CRUSHED DUE TO ENGINE MOVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #8017193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melville, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
CONSUMER NOTICED A GASOLINE ODOR IN BACK OF VEHICLE ALONG WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF FUEL, DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP SENDER ASSEMBLY, DEALER STATED THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #559083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Albany, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME FOR THE SAME PULLEY/BALL BEARING TO FAIL. IT FIRST HAPPENED DURING THE THIRD YEAR OF OPERATION; APPROX 30 000 MILES. I'M STATIONED IN VIENNA, AUSTRIA.
NHTSA complaint #715679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE HEATER CORE WAS FOUND LEAKING. ANTI-FREEZE WAS FOUND ON BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE FLOOR, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED THIS WEEK WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR CHECK UP. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SAAB, AND IT IS NOT COVERED BY MAJOR COMPONENT WARRANTY. A CAR ONLY 5 YEAR OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #702734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Voorheesvi, NY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #537570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cranbury, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE SYSTEM FROZE IN AN OPEN POSTION, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPEED UP TO 75 MPH. THE OCCUPANT PRESSED THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DEALER IS REPLACING THE THROTTLE HOUSING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint #820291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
OTHER: PASSENGER'S AIR BAG ASSEMBLY REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #485372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED TWICE. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #485372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE VALVE REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE SURGING AT SPEEDS OF 55-60 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #485372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON/OFF.
NHTSA complaint #485372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
RIGHT REAR TAIL LAMP REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #485372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
TIRES
THE TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED EVERY 4000 MILES DUE TO CUPPING. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
NHTSA complaint #962512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.