EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1994 Saab 900
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1995 | 2 | 2 |
| May 1995 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun 1995 | 1 | 4 |
| Jul 1995 | 2 | 6 |
| Aug 1995 | 2 | 8 |
| Sep 1995 | 1 | 9 |
| Dec 1995 | 1 | 10 |
| Apr 1996 | 2 | 12 |
| Feb 1997 | 1 | 13 |
| Mar 1997 | 1 | 14 |
| May 1997 | 1 | 15 |
| Jun 1997 | 1 | 16 |
| Aug 1997 | 1 | 17 |
| Nov 1997 | 1 | 18 |
| Dec 1997 | 1 | 19 |
| Jan 1998 | 1 | 20 |
| Feb 1998 | 1 | 21 |
| May 1998 | 1 | 22 |
| Nov 1998 | 1 | 23 |
| Jan 1999 | 1 | 24 |
| Mar 1999 | 1 | 25 |
| May 1999 | 1 | 26 |
| Sep 1999 | 1 | 27 |
| Oct 1999 | 1 | 28 |
| Dec 1999 | 1 | 29 |
| Feb 2000 | 1 | 30 |
| Jul 2000 | 2 | 32 |
| Apr 2001 | 1 | 33 |
| Oct 2001 | 1 | 34 |
| Nov 2001 | 1 | 35 |
| Jan 2002 | 1 | 36 |
| May 2002 | 1 | 37 |
| Nov 2002 | 1 | 38 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 39 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 40 |
| Nov 2003 | 1 | 41 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 42 |
| Nov 2004 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 44 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine1419.7%
- Transmission912.7%
- 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.govVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
a
NEW WHEEL BOLTS
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.
AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS REPAIR KIT. *TT
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
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF NOISES HEARD FROM THE A/C SYSTEM. *TT
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATION FROM CABIN FAN MOTOR. *TT
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 | 3 | — |
| 1998 | 24 | 3 | 4 | 65.3 |
| 1997 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 54.6 |
| 1996 | 48 | 3 | 2 | 52.9 |
| 1995 | 100 | 7 | 2 | 58.8 |
| 1994Viewing | 44 | 8 | 3 | 60.2 |
| 1993 | 6 | 0 | 1 | — |
| 1992 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 39.9 |
| 1991 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 31.3 |
| 1990 | 19 | 0 | 2 | 49.7 |
| 1989 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 52.4 |
| 1988 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 57.3 |
| 1987 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 8 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| 1983 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1979 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1978 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — |
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.