RoadVitals

1995 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.
100
Latest Apr 30, 2012
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.
7
Latest Nov 14, 2002
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.
10
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 100 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1995 Saab 900, most frequently naming the transmission, electrical and brakes categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 50 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

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

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

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
02V308000

AIR BAGS

Nov 14, 2002
20,476 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND PERFORM CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE BOTTOM OF AN ELECTROLYTE CAPACITOR, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR IT TO LEAK ELECTROLYTE WITHIN THE AIR BAG ECU. ALSO, IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS, THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CAN CAUSE RAPID COOLING OF THE ECU, WHICH IN TURN MAY CAUSE THE FORMATION OF CONDENSATION WITH THE UNIT.
The risk: IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.Manufacturer number 15012View on NHTSA.gov
98V038000

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
97V046000

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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 100
Airbags
Filed Apr 30, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10456948
Incident
Apr 29, 2012
Mileage
117,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Aug 6, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT AND IMMEDIATELY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,785 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,292. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10347824
Incident
Jul 25, 2010
Mileage
160,785 mi
Suspension
Filed May 14, 2009

1995 SAAB 900 LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. THE BOTTOM HALF OF A TURN BROKE OFF AT A SHALLOW ANGLE SOME TIME AGO. THE BROKEN OFF SECTION STAYED IN THE RING AROUND THE STRUT AND MADE A LOUD THIN METAL RATTLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING IMPORTANT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268755
Incident
May 13, 2009
Mileage
130,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 15, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE WHILE THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN NEUTRAL. HE CAN ALSO ACCIDENTALLY DISENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR BOX WAS BAD. UPDATED 10/31/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10242290
Incident
Aug 22, 2008
Mileage
130,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10238763
Incident
Aug 16, 2008
Mileage
80,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 26, 2007
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS NUMEROUS TIMES UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO AN INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A STOP SIGN. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION), ALTHOUGH HER VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10204132
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
Mileage
150 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 8, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE GEAR REPAIRED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL # 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 151,000. THE CONSUMER STATED RECEIVED A TICKET AND SUMMONS FOR PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK, THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR BEHIND HIM TAPPED HIS CAR AND THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED ONTO THE SIDEWALK. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL PERTAINING TO HIS DEFECT, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ID
10192746
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
151,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 21, 2006

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED SAAB USA AT 1-800-955-9007 AND SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR LEMONT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SAAB DOES NOT COVER COSTS INVOLVED IN REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN BUT ONLY FOR THE BELT AT VERY SPECIFIC MILEAGE POINTS AS TO THE HISTORY OF WIDESPREAD BREAKAGE AND SAFETY PROBLEMS AND SUBSEQUENT COSTLY DAMAGE TO ENGINES. *NM

NHTSA ID
10176735
Incident
Dec 17, 2006
Mileage
76,000 mi

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

850

AIR BAGS

SUBJECT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SRS WIRING HARNESS. *TT

8111984

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

INFORMATION ON REPLACING CONNECTING TAB ON ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW. *TT

8112156

STRUCTURE

SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT IRRITATING ROAD AND WIND NOISE PENETRATING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE COVER AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. *TT

8112099

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

CONCERNS WITH CRACKS IN SOFT TOP COVER FOIL STRIP. *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

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
1995Viewing1007258.8
1994448360.2
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.