RoadVitals

1997 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.
21
Latest Aug 4, 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.
3
Latest Jun 23, 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.
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.
0
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Saab 900, most frequently naming the transmission, electrical and interior & seats categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 43 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

  • Transmission311.5%
  • Electrical311.5%
  • Interior & seats311.5%
  • Airbags27.7%
  • Body & structure27.7%
  • Driver assistance27.7%
  • Other / unspecified27.7%
  • Seat belts27.7%

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

3 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
98V139000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jun 23, 1998
39,313 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
The risk: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
The remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View 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 21
Seat belts
Filed Aug 4, 2014

I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618672
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
Mileage
123,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 15, 2012
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10480158
Incident
Aug 28, 2012
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 24, 2009

1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269828
Incident
May 21, 2009
Mileage
107,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Oct 1, 2008

MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244078
Incident
Sep 30, 2008
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 17, 2006

FAILURE IN 1997 SAAB 900 SE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR YEAR MODEL 2000-2002, BUT EARLIER MODEL YEARS FAIL TOO. *JB

NHTSA ID
10162581
Incident
Jul 17, 2006
Airbags
Filed Feb 5, 2006

RE: SAAB 900 1997. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS TENSIONED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND THE RADIO POPPED OUT OF THE DASH. THIS IS EVENT IS VERY MUCH ALIKE TO DEFECTS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS OF SAAB 900 1995 AND 1998 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A REPORT AT SAAB. SAAB HAS INFORMED ME THAT AT THIS TIME THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149473
Incident
Jan 5, 2006
Mileage
59,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Sep 9, 2005

THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135938
Incident
Sep 3, 2005
Mileage
130,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed May 27, 2005
1 injury reported

DURING AN EXTREMELY HARD STOP AND SWERVE TO AVOID A VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF IT'S LANE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT POPPED OUT OF ITS HARNESS AND THE PASENGER WAS PROPELLED IN TO THE DASH.THE SEATBELT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, AND AFTERWARDS WE WERE UNABLE OT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY PULLING HARD ON THE SEATBELT.

NHTSA ID
10122276
Incident
May 25, 2005
Mileage
75,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

16NA260

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

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

8112099

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

CONCERNS WITH CRACKS IN SOFT TOP COVER FOIL STRIP. *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
1997Viewing213254.6
1996483252.9
19951007258.8
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.