RoadVitals

1988 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.
13
Latest Jan 5, 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.
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.
2
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Saab 900, most frequently naming the brakes, powertrain (other) and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 1 manufacturer communication is on file.

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

  • Brakes317.6%
  • Powertrain (other)317.6%
  • Electrical211.8%
  • Engine211.8%
  • Seat belts211.8%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%
  • Steering15.9%

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
88V149000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

Sep 7, 1988
3,000 units potentially affected
The defect: BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
The risk: IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS SHOULD FAIL, LOWERFRONT CONTROL ARM COULD COME LOOSE LEADING TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AFRONT WHEEL.
The remedy: REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE93102ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BACK RECLINER FAILURE

Opened Dec 8, 1993
Closed Apr 21, 1994

There is no summary currently available

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
PE89008ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING

Opened Oct 21, 1988
Closed Jan 26, 1989

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 13
Suspension
Filed Jan 5, 2001

FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO SHOCK, WHEEL BEARING AND C.V. JOINT. *AK

NHTSA ID
738820
Incident
Jan 5, 2001
Interior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2000

DRIVER'S SEAT ANCHORING BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO SEAT BASE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ATTACHMENT BOLT. ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE ON MOST PRE-1990 MODELS AS STATED BY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SAAB REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE GEARING MECHANISM WITHIN THE ODOMETER.

NHTSA ID
735839
Incident
Nov 4, 2000
Seat belts
Filed Jul 6, 1999

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T ENGAGE, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T RELEASE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK.

NHTSA ID
708277
Incident
Jun 1, 1998
Seat belts
Filed Jul 7, 1998

THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS DON'T RETRACT. DEALER HAS A FIX. *AK

NHTSA ID
825099
Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 1997

PARKING BRAKE STICK/FREEZE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING. *AK

NHTSA ID
518696
Electrical
Filed Nov 8, 1996

HEAT SHIELD THAT PROTECTED THE WIRES ROT OUT, REPLACE HEAT SHIELD.

NHTSA ID
511247
Driver assistance
Filed Oct 21, 1996
Crash reported1 injury reported

SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY.

NHTSA ID
510318
Incident
Jul 5, 1996
Engine
Filed Oct 18, 1996
Fire reported

ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING A FIRE, IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
803697
Incident
Sep 1, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

234

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

INFORMATION ON INSTALLING LARGER FUEL SYSTEM NON-RETURN VALVES. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1988Viewing132257.3
1987420—
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.