IllustrationMY 1986 , 8 VALVE, 2.0 LITER SAAB 900 STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER AND WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS AT LEAST 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER,DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
1986 Saab 900
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 900 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 9 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reportsTHE VEHICLE LOSES POWER ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE TACHOMETER TO DROP AND THE STEERING TO BECOME HEAVY YET THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY, AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER THE POWER RETURNS BEFORE THE CAR STOPS, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. NLM
I AM AWARE OF THE TIRE RECALL AND QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER MANUFACTURERS. I PURCHASED A SAAB IN 1986 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED WITHIN 15,000, INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT AT 65 MPH. I SENT ONE FO THE TIRES BACK TO PIRELLI FOR EXAMINATION. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO MNAUFACTURING FLAW THAT CAUSED …
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I AM AWARE OF THE TIRE RECALL AND QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER MANUFACTURERS. I PURCHASED A SAAB IN 1986 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED WITHIN 15,000, INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT AT 65 MPH. I SENT ONE FO THE TIRES BACK TO PIRELLI FOR EXAMINATION. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO MNAUFACTURING FLAW THAT CAUSED THE SEPARATION. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY 4 NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES COULD ALL SEPARATE WITHOUT A DEFECT. I REALIZE THIS IS AN OLD COMPLAINT BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT OTHER TIRE COMPANIES ARE ALSO PRODUCING SHODDY TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: )
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTIN…
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WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE.
THE CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
WHEEL BEARING REPAIRED DUE TO FAILURE. *SD
CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED WIRING AND SENT SMOKE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TT
WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS FAILED, INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN STOPPED. HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND OTHER FAILURES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Official recalls
287V013000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Feb 10, 1987
THE FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND THE INJECTOR FUEL RAIL MAY RUPTURE DUE TO STRESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLY A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL HOSE WITH NEW PREFORMED PLASTIC HOSE.
86V057000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
Apr 28, 1986
THE BOLT IN THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TORQUED AND MAY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BROKEN U-JOINT CLAMP MAY ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFT TO PULL OUT OF THE JOINT AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: REPLACE AND PROPERLY TORQUE BOLT.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.