1989 Saab 9000 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1989 Saab 9000, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical627.3%
- Engine418.2%
- Transmission313.6%
- Driver assistance29.1%
- Brakes29.1%
- Exterior lighting29.1%
- Body & structure14.5%
- Fuel system14.5%
- Airbags14.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND CAN SOMETIME BE RESTARTED WITH A BATTERY BOOST.
VEHICLE ENGINE OVERHEATS AND THE STARTER WILL NOT START. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAAB CUSTOMER ASSIST CTR DECLINED ALL FORM OF ASSISTANCE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
COOLING FAN RELAY BURNED OUT MELTING THE RELAY FUSE BOX LOCATED UNDER THE HOOD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAAB CUSTOMER ASSIST CTR DECLINED ALL FORM OF ASSISTANCE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
VEHICLE STALLING DUE TO BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS PUT IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF. THE VEHICLE HIT OTHER CARS. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLE STALLING DUE TO BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
SAAB CUSTOMER ASSIST CTR DECLINED ALL FORM OF ASSISTANCE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
ABS: BRAKES HAVE GONE OUT 2 TIMES WITHOUT WARNING; PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING EFFECT; NO WARNING; EXTENDED STOPPING; 45 MPH. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLING DUE TO BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. *SD
AFTER DRIVEN/PARKED 30 MINS., VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND FIRE STARTED IN AREA OF TAIL LIGHTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLING DUE TO BATTERY DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK. *SD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE VEHICLE BURNED AND WAS TOTALLED. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURERS STANDARD EQUIPMENT, DRIVER SIDE AIG BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, HOWEVER IT'S NOT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .