RoadVitals

1989 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.
22
Latest Mar 5, 2006
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 Jun 27, 1989
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.
4

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Saab 900, most frequently naming the engine, seat belts and suspension categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Engine515.6%
  • Seat belts515.6%
  • Suspension412.5%
  • Electrical412.5%
  • Interior & seats39.4%
  • Visibility39.4%
  • Fuel system26.3%
  • Exterior lighting13.1%

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
89V104000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Jun 27, 1989
6,000 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A REVERSE CURRENT MIGHT FLOW THROUGH A WIRE CABLE BETWEEN THE AIR RECIRCULATION SWITCH AND A MICROSWITCH.
The risk: HEATER FAN RESISTOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND SMOKE IN THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT HEATING SYSTEM, CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND BREATHING HAZARDSTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
The remedy: DISCONNECT ELECTRICAL WIRE CABLE AND SECURE BY TAPE AROUND CABLE HARNESS.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V185000

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

Nov 28, 1988
1,586 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL FILTER MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATION CONCERNING LEAKAGE CRITERIA DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURE DURING THE GLUING PROCESS.
The risk: FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
The remedy: REPLACE FUEL FILTER.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 22
Electrical
Filed Mar 5, 2006

ALTERNATOR, CARBURETOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DRAINING OF POWER ; NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM, THE AUTO HAS SAT NOW FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF POURING MONEY INTO IT ONLY TO HAVE IT UNABLE TO REPAIRED PROPERLY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10151828
Incident
Jul 11, 2002
Mileage
85,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 4, 2002

RIGHT SIDE PASSIVE SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED MOTOR CAUSED SHOULDER BELT KEY TO GO BACK AND FORTH . DRIVER SIDE DID THE SAME. REPAIR TECH SAID THAT IT WAS A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM AND THAT IT WAS COMMOM WITH SAABS WITH THIS TYPE OF SAFETY BELTS. COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $650 DID NOT REPAIR HAD TECH LOCK KEY IN A FIXED POSITION.*AK

NHTSA ID
757751
Incident
Jul 9, 1997
Steering
Filed Aug 13, 2001

FAILED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. *AK

NHTSA ID
750351
Incident
Mar 15, 2001
Suspension
Filed Oct 11, 2000

DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. REPLACED BOTH DRIVER- & PASSENGER-SIDE CONTROL ARMS AS PRECAUTION. MECHANIC HAS PART & SPECULATES DESIGN DEFECT; HAS ONE FROM ANOTHER SAAB HANGING ON WALL AS SOUVENIR! CONTACT PETER'S ZAAB SERVICE, 415.456.0540.*AK

NHTSA ID
734068
Incident
May 17, 2000
Engine
Filed May 4, 2000

ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT, AND COST ABOUT 1600 CANADIAN. MANUFACTURER DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE.*AK

NHTSA ID
722265
Incident
Apr 10, 2000
Suspension
Filed Mar 24, 2000

THE DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IS COMMON BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT COMMON. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEND. MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS, SUCH AS THE FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SHOULD NOT BREAK. *AK

NHTSA ID
720555
Incident
Mar 23, 2000
Engine
Filed May 3, 1999

TIMING CHAIN FAILED DURING NORMAL OPERATION AT 35 MPH CAUSING ENGINE TO STALL AND $2400 IN ENGINE VALVE DAMAGE. TIMING CHAIN IS NOT SPECIFICED AS A NORMAL REPLACEMENT ITEM.

NHTSA ID
706174
Incident
Mar 12, 1998
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 10, 1999

FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, STARTER JAMMED INTO PLACE, BURNED STARTER UP.

NHTSA ID
781802
Incident
Jan 5, 1998

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
1989Viewing222052.4
1988132257.3
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.