SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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 →
9Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
2
19832
19845
19859
19864
198713
198822
1989
Compare all 900 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
5Engine And Engine Cooling
4Tires
2Equipment
1Fuel System, Other
1
All reported categories
Seats
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Suspension
1

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

Tires complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 7, 2000
Tires

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 …

Read full complaint

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: )

NHTSA ODI #735910

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 1998
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

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…

Read full complaint

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

NHTSA ODI #832060

Official recalls

2

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.