RoadVitals

1994 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.
44
Latest Jun 2, 2014
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.
8
Latest Feb 24, 1998
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.
3
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.
5

Overview

Our database contains 44 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1994 Saab 900, most frequently naming the engine, transmission and brakes categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 46 manufacturer communications are 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

  • Engine1419.7%
  • Brakes79.9%
  • Driver assistance79.9%
  • Electrical79.9%
  • Interior & seats57.0%
  • Visibility45.6%
  • Suspension45.6%

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

8 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

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Feb 24, 1998
92,505 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY AIMING THE HEADLIGHTING SYSTEM WERE OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OWNER GUIDES. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN AFFIX THE INSERTS IN THEIR OWNER GUIDE FOR THEM.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Mar 21, 1997
52,500 units potentially affected
The defect: CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
The risk: THIS BINDING CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Mar 29, 1995
8,993 units potentially affected
The defect: IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, OR, TO ACCIDENTLY DISENGAGE REVERSE BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER.
The risk: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE A SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN THE SHIFT IS MOVED TO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE REVERSE GEAR IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

DP00008ClosedDefect Petition

DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY

Opened Sep 25, 2000
Closed Nov 19, 2001

a

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SQ98018ClosedInvestigation

NEW WHEEL BOLTS

Opened Oct 9, 1998
Closed Oct 27, 1998

saab issued a tsb informing dealers about a new wheel mounting bolt.If the issue is loosening of the lug nut, this could lead to bolt fatigue and the potential for a wheel separation.

WHEELS
SQ98006ClosedInvestigation

AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES

Opened Apr 22, 1998
Closed May 8, 1998

SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Recent owner complaints

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

Interior & seats
Filed Jun 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS CRACKED AND HAD A DAMAGED FRAME THAT WAS DETERIORATING. THE SEAT WAS NOT SECURED AND WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT ALSO EXHIBITED THE FAILURE. THE SRS SENSOR AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESET THE CODES. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 94V226000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,601 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 143,100.

NHTSA ID
10595542
Incident
Oct 9, 1995
Mileage
22,601 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+6 more
Filed Nov 15, 2004

THE EXPERIENCE LEAKING HEAD GASKET REPEATED PROBLEM. THE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *BF THE BRAKES SQUEALED WHEN STOPPING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE, THE BATTERY LIGHT HAD RUN BAD, THE HEAT OPERATION WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK, SEAT COVER LEFT LOWER CRACKED, FLUID LEAKED UNDER THE VEHICLE/OVERNIGHT COOLANT LEAK, OVER HEATING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, THE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY, LEAKING DISTRIBUTOR SEAL, BROKEN TURN SIGNAL, AT A CERTAIN POSITION THE SEAT WOULD NOT OPERATE FORWARD, THE ANTENNA WOULD NOT PROPERLY RETRACT, LEFT FOG LIGHT INOPERABLE, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FRONT AND REAR FOR PROPER RUBBER ALIGNMENT, LEAKING CRANK PULLEY SEAL, OIL LEAK FROM THE TRANSMISSION, FOUND A LACK OF FUEL PRESSURE, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE TAILPIPE, THE CONVERTIBLE TOP WAS WEARING ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE, THERE WAS A LOOSE HOSE CLAMP IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE, THE BATTERY FAILED, ONE TAIL LIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE ALTERNATOR BELT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE CHASSIS, THERE WAS A SQUEALING NOISE AFTER START UP, OIL LEAKED THROUGH THE VALVE COVER, AND THE TANK CLUTCH LEAKED FLUID. *SC

NHTSA ID
10101475
Incident
Jul 27, 1994
Tires & wheels
Filed May 2, 2004

WHILE DRIVING ON THE DAN RYAN EXPRESSWAY AT 3:00 P.M. ON 4/30/04, I HEARD A POP AND I THOUGHT A BELT SNAPPED, MY CAR, A 1994 SAAB S, JERKED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GAIN CONTROL. I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW A TIRE ROLE FROM EAST TO WEST ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I THOUGHT I RAN OVER IT. FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD A PERSON ON ANOTHER CAR TOLD ME I DIDN'T HAVE A TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR IN THE REAR. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSAY I SAW THE TIRE WAS MISSING. THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE HAD PULLED AWAY FROM THE SIDES. THE SIDES OF THE TIRE WERE LEFT ON THE WHEEL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10068185
Incident
Apr 30, 2004
Mileage
78,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 16, 2003

IN JULY OF 2003, SAAB OF SANTA MONICA, CA REPLACED THE TIMING BELT ON MY USED 1994 SAAB 900 (65,000 MILE SERVICE). THE LABOR WAS COMPLIMENTARY AND COVERED UNDER A CHANGE IN SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OUTLINED BY SAAB USA IN A LETTER SENT OUT TO SAAB 900 OWNERS IN JULY 1995. THE LETTER AMENDED INFORMATION IN THE WARRANTIES AND SERVICE RECORD BOOKLET AND OWNER'S MANUAL AND STATED THAT RATHER THAN EVERY 95,000 MILES, SAAB WAS NOW RECOMMENDING THAT THE BELT FOR THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE MECHANISM BE REPLACED BEGINNING WITH THE 35,000 MILE MAJOR SERVICE AND AT INTERVALS OF 30,000 MILES THEREAFTER. AT THE TIME OF SERVICE, IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE TIMING BELT, NON-ROUTINE LABOR WAS DONE ON THE TENSIONERS. THE WORK RECEIPT NOTES THAT OLD-STYLE TENSIONERS WERE NOTED AND REPLACE. LESS THAN 1000 MILES AFTER SAAB OF SANTA MONICA PERFORMED THEIR "COMPLIMENTARY WORK" MY CAR CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. ON OCT. 17, 2003, I LEFT WORK AT AND DROVE ABOUT 1/3 OF A MILE (35 MPH) BEFORE I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO PUTTER AND CLANK AS THE CAR LOST POWER. THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY IT WAS TOWED TO A WELL-RESPECTED INDEPENDENT SAAB MECHANIC, HUNG TAO (A.R.T. SAAB 18440 HART ST. RESEDA, CA (818) 881-7940 ). HUNG TAO LOOKED AT THE CAR AND STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST SAAB DEALER (SHERMAN OAKS, CA). SAAB OF SHERMAN OAKS FIRST SAID THAT THE TIMING BELT HAD SLIPPED, BUT THEN CHANGED THEY'RE STORY AND SAID THE CAMSHAFT HAD ALLEGEDLY SNAPPED, CAUSING $5000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THEY ARGUED THAT THERE WAS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE WORK THEY'D DONE ON THE CAMSHAFT DRIVE BELT AND THE FAILURE OF THE CAMSHAFT. THEY SAY BECAUSE THE CAR ISN'T UNDER WARRANTY THEY CAN'T HELP ME. *LA

NHTSA ID
10047020
Incident
Oct 17, 2003
Mileage
72,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2003

VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE.*MR THE GASKET SURROUNDING THE TIMING BELT COVER BECAME TANGLED WITH THE TIMING BELT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START.*TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10044446
Incident
Aug 14, 2003
Mileage
90,837 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 21, 2003
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND A BUNDLE OF WIRES HELD TOGETHER BY A PLASTIC BINDER WIRE CLIP. THE BUNDLE BECAME LOOSE AND A WIRE WAS EXPOSED TO AND RUBBING ON METAL. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10012206
Engine
Filed Nov 20, 2002

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMMING BELT TENSION ON HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS REPLACED IT ONCE AND IT WAS WARRANTIED FOR 3500 MILES AND IT HAS HAPPEND AGAIN THIS ALSO CAUSES ENGINE FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. TS

NHTSA ID
8023056
Transmission
Filed May 13, 2002

RECALL 95 V 068 000/TRANSMISSION MANUAL: VEHICLE OPERATED IN REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8009679
Incident
May 1, 2000

Manufacturer communications

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

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

3711703E4

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS REPAIR KIT. *TT

831

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

NOTIFICATION TO STOP PERFORMING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN SI-831-1823 TO ADDRESS A COMPLAINT OF REAR DOORS DUFFICULT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE ON MODELS UP TO W2019950. *TT

8542143

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF NOISES HEARD FROM THE A/C SYSTEM. *TT

854

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR

COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATION FROM CABIN FAN MOTOR. *TT

471

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

COMPLAINTS OF NOISE ON DECELERATION IN 1994 AND LATER MODELS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *YC

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
1994Viewing448360.2
1993601
1992210039.9
1991130131.3
1990190249.7
1989222052.4
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.