RoadVitals

1992 Saab 9000

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.
19
Latest Oct 9, 2006
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.
4
Latest May 6, 1999
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.
0
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Saab 9000, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and brakes categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 7 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

  • Fuel system518.5%
  • Electrical414.8%
  • Brakes311.1%
  • Transmission311.1%
  • Powertrain (other)311.1%
  • Airbags27.4%
  • Visibility27.4%
  • Engine13.7%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
99V109000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

May 6, 1999
26,116 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
The risk: THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
95V067000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Mar 29, 1995
12,091 units potentially affected
The defect: MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
The risk: THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
94V126000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Jul 8, 1994
12,040 units potentially affected
The defect: DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
The risk: OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
SAAB CARS USA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 19
BrakesElectricalFuel system+1 more
Filed Oct 9, 2006

ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY LIFE.. I HAVE HAD ABOUT SEVEN.. AND WOULD NEVER BUY A SAAB. THE TRANSMISSION WENT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO THE ABS BRAKES FAILS. THE STEERING IS MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP..ECT...EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR I FEEL LIKE IT'S A DEATH TRAP. THIS IS THE 9000 CD NON TURBO BY THE WAY...JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LET THE NEXT GUY KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME. I HAVE PUT ALMOST 5,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS ALREADY, I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN SELL THIS CAR FOR $500 BUCKS AND I HAVE HAD IT ONLY ONE YEAR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170260
Incident
Jun 3, 2005
Tires & wheels
Filed Mar 10, 2002

THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS BLIZZAK WS-50 WINTER TIRES MANUFACTURED BY BRIDGESTONE AND PURCHASED NEW FROM "THE TIRE RACK" THESE TIRES HAVE NOT EXHIBITED A "FAILURE" IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT DEFALTED, BLOWN OUT, SHREDDED ETC.THE CONCERN WITH THESE TIRES IS THEIR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THEY EXHIBIT EXTREME TREAD SQUIRM AND SIDEWALL FLEX. DURING CORNERING OR LANE CHANGES, THEY GIVE THE SENSATION THAT THEY WILL "TUCK UNDER" THE WHEEL RIM, LEADING TO A TIP OVER.THEY ARE AN EXTREMELY "SOFT" TIRE, WITH NO REASSURING FEELING OF SUPPORT IN THE SIDEWALL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED FOR SAKE OF COMPARISON THAT THE TWO PRIOR SETS OF WINTER TIRES ON THIS SAME VEHICLE WERE BRIDGESTONE WS-15 WHICH DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTICS. I HAVE CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE BOTH BY PHONE AND CERTIFIED LETTER TO EFFECT A REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES, WITHOUT SUCCESS. I WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION BOTH MY COPY OF THIS LETTER AND MY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION LOG IN THIS MATTER. THE VENDOR OFTHESE TIRES WAS "THE TIRE RACK". THIS ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A WEB SITE BULLETIN BOARD FOR ITS CUSTOMERS TO POST COMMENTS REGARDING VARIOUS TIRES. I HAVE DOWNLOADED, PRINTED AND RETAINED SEVERAL CUSTOMER COMMENTS REGARDING THE NEGATIVE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE TIRES ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WILL ALSO MAKE MY VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR TEST DRIVE BY THE LOCAL NHSTA OFFICE IF NECESSARY.PLEASE ADVISE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 19565QR15)

NHTSA ID
759182
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2002

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS RIGHT SIDE OF AXLE BROKE, MAKING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
8003583
Incident
Jan 1, 2002
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2001

PLASTIC FUEL TANK SEVERE LEAK AT 2 INCH CRACK ON BOTTOM RIGHT REAR.

NHTSA ID
750986
Incident
Aug 20, 2001
Seat belts
Filed May 21, 2001

AS I BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE (WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND), THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT TENSIONER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (PART OF THE SRS SYSTEM) DETONATED. IT SOUNDED AS IF A FIRECRACKER EXPLODED IN MY EAR. I HAD NOT YET PUT ON THE SEATBELT, SO I WASN'T INJURED, BUT IT WILL COST $650 FOR A NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAG/SRS SYSTEM HAS NEVER DEPLOYED BEFORE.*AK

NHTSA ID
745620
Incident
May 16, 2001
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Dec 20, 2000

ETS SENDS CAR INTO LIMP HOME MODE MAKING CAR VERY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. BRAKING SYSTEM HYDRUALICS ARE CONTROLED BY THIS UNIT AND ARE LIMITED. CAR STICKS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. SAAB HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE IT. ABS HAS 4 SENSORS ON THIS MODEL 2 FRONT 2 REAR THE 2 IN THE REAR ARE HYDRAULIC AND HAS A PRESSURE SWITCH THE SWITCH GOES WHACKY AND GIVES FALSE READINGS..... THUS PUTTING MY ABS DUMBY LIGHT ON IN MY DASH. HAS A GAS PEDAL POTEINTIOMETER THAT IS VERY TEMPERMENTAL THUS GIVING BAD CODES AND CAUSING MY CAR TO GO HAYWIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ANY OTHER SPEED..... I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH AND THE CAR AND ALL IT'S COMPONETS SHUT DOWN EXCEPT THE MOTOR I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING THINKING MY CAR HAD STALLED AND IT WAS STILL IDLING . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR AND IT'S COMPONENTS WERE MAD BADLY , I FEEL SAAB SHOULD PUT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL TCS COMPONENTS NOT JUST THE HYDRUALIC SWITCH. MY FIGHTINGS WITH SAAB ARE NO OVER AND I'M REPORTING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY. THANKS FOR YOUR REVEIW OF THIS APPLICATION I HOPE TO HEAR FROM A ENGINEER AS SOON AS POSIBLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
738066
Incident
Oct 13, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Nov 29, 2000

THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED HOLES AND BEGAN LEAKING, THE LEAK DEVELOPED ABOVE THE SUPPORT STRAP ON THE RIGHT REAR. NLM

NHTSA ID
558181
Airbags
Filed Sep 25, 2000

CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR FOR RECALL REPAIR 99V109, DEALER IS WAITING ON PARTS. *SLC

NHTSA ID
555388

Manufacturer communications

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

2482035

BACKGROUD INFORMATION IN DIAGNOSING A DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINT OR THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. *YC

01/970731

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ADJUSTMENT OF BEARING TENSION. *TW

11/950640

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

REPLACEMENT OF A/C HOSE. *SD

06/950588

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

IT IS NOW POSSIBLE TO INSTALL AN EXTRA SWITCH THAT WILL ALLOW THE TCS FUNCTION TO BE DISENGAGED ON 1992-1994 9000 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TRACTION CONTROL AND MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TW

03/950557

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CORRECTING COMPLAINTS OF POOR DEFOGGING ON REAR WINDOW. *TW

01/950537

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ACC ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. *TW

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 9000 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1998110—
1997610—
1996100139.1
1995801—
1994144155.4
1993295152.1
1992Viewing194045.3
1991812—
1990712—
1989143266.6
1988123361.3
1987512—
1986323—
1985000—

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.