RoadVitals

1979 Saab 900

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
2
Latest Feb 25, 2001
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Jul 14, 1983
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1979 Saab 900, most frequently naming the seat belts and suspension categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts150.0%
  • Suspension150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
83V068000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jul 14, 1983
12,096 units potentially affected
The defect: A PROBLEM RELATING TO THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET ATTACHMENT COULD CAUSE LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION OIL. TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF PROPER OIL LUBRICATION.
The remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET WITH ONE THAT ATTACHES TO THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKET WILL ALSO BE REPLACED, USING SCREWS INSTEAD OF STUDS.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
79V230000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

Oct 19, 1979
2,912 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INSULATION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY POSSIBLY MELT OR BECOME BRITTLE DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES WHICH MAY BE GENERATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE CABLE.
The remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE "B+" CABLE (POSITIVE CABLE FROM STARTER), ADD PROTECTIVE SLEEVES OVER THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS, AND INSTALL A NEW HEAT GUARD FOR THE BATTERY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
79V206000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Sep 14, 1979
61,739 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS AMBIENT HUMIDITY AND VEHICLE PRE-CONDITIONING BY REPEATED COLD START, AND SHORT TRIP DRIVING CYCLES IN COMBINATION WITH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, THERE EXISTS THE POSSIBILITY FOR ICE TO FORM IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING AND TEMPORARILY IMPEDE FULL CLOSURE OF THE THROTTLE PLATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. THIS ICE BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CAUSE HESITATION IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE PREHEATING OF INCOMING AIR IN COLD WEATHER. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Seat belts
Filed Feb 25, 2001
Crash reported3 injuries reported

THIS IS IMPORTANT: THE RT PASS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD MY WIFE IN A HEAD ON CRASH, AND SOMEBODY REMOVED THE CAR FROM SALVAGE YARD QUICKLY, INC CO AND YARD OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHO TOOK IT BEFORE INVESTIGATION COULD BE MADE ON BELT FAILURE..SUSPECT SAAB HAD IT PICKED UP IN 7 DAYS AFTER ACCIDENT...WONDER IF THIS IS A PATTERN WHERE THAY TRIED TO HIDE WRECK FROM INVESTIGATION?

NHTSA ID
741504
Incident
Aug 12, 1982
Suspension
Filed Dec 3, 1997

CONSUMER FOUND FRACTURES IN REAR ARM OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, INDICATING FATIGUE WITH AGE.

NHTSA ID
526446
Incident
Jan 1, 1997

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Saab 900 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1999203—
1998243465.3
1997213254.6
1996483252.9
19951007258.8
1994448360.2
1993601—
1992210039.9
1991130131.3
1990190249.7
1989222052.4
1988132257.3
1987420—
1986820—
1985510—
1984212—
1983210—
1982110—
1981120—
1980020—
1979Viewing240—
1978001—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.