RoadVitals

1987 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.
4
Latest Sep 2, 2003
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.
2
Latest Nov 1, 1988
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

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Saab 900, most frequently naming the engine, tires & wheels and visibility categories. 2 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

  • Engine222.2%
  • Tires & wheels222.2%
  • Visibility222.2%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Other / unspecified111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%

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

2 campaigns cover this model year

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
88V173000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

Nov 1, 1988
70,000 units potentially affected
The defect: WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
The remedy: INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
87V013000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Feb 10, 1987
15,446 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND THE INJECTOR FUEL RAIL MAY RUPTURE DUE TO STRESS.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLY A FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FUEL HOSE WITH NEW PREFORMED PLASTIC HOSE.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 2, 2003
Fire reported

MY 1987 SAAB 900 CAUGHTON FIRE WITH ME IN IT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST SAAB BUT I DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT IT. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.*AK

NHTSA ID
10037027
Incident
Aug 27, 2003
Mileage
200,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 29, 2000

THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON FAILURE ON SAAB 900 CARS, WELL KNOWN TO DEALERS AND THE FACTORY AS WELL AS THE TSN BULLETIN BOARD WHICH HAS BEEN UP SINCE 1988. [WWW.SAABNET.COM] THE MANUFACTURER HAS MADE AVAILABLE A REINFORCED LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BUT HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR EITHER THE PART OR INSTALLATION THEREOF. *AK

NHTSA ID
738457
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
EngineTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 17, 1995

REPLACED FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES BECAUSE OF CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALL.

NHTSA ID
482259
Incident
Mar 17, 1995
EngineTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 12, 1995

FOUR CONTINENTAL TIRES CRACKED ON SIDE WALL.

NHTSA ID
482050
Incident
Mar 12, 1995

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
1987Viewing420—
1986820—
1985510—
1984212—
1983210—
1982110—
1981120—
1980020—
1979240—
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.