IllustrationFRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO SHOCK, WHEEL BEARING AND C.V. JOINT. *AK
1988 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: 0 of 13 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.
- Power Train. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. 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 reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
13 reportsDRIVER'S SEAT ANCHORING BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO SEAT BASE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ATTACHMENT BOLT. ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE ON MOST PRE-1990 MODELS AS STATED BY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SAAB REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE GEARING MECHANISM WITHIN THE ODOMETER.
MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T ENGAGE, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T RELEASE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK.
THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS DON'T RETRACT. DEALER HAS A FIX. *AK
PARKING BRAKE STICK/FREEZE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS FREEZING. *AK
HEAT SHIELD THAT PROTECTED THE WIRES ROT OUT, REPLACE HEAT SHIELD.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY.
ENGINE MOTOR MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING A FIRE, IN FOR REPAIRS TWICE. *AK
PREMATURE WEAR OF RING & PINION GEAR; ALSO, PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS; CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE AND COOLING FAN/THERMOSTAT FAILURE. *AK
IN THE WINTER TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE FREEZES UP . TT
Official recalls
288V173000 · Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash
Nov 1, 1988
WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.
88V149000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Sep 7, 1988
BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS SHOULD FAIL, LOWERFRONT CONTROL ARM COULD COME LOOSE LEADING TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AFRONT WHEEL.
Remedy: REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
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
2PE93102 · Seat Back Recliner Failure
Opened Dec 8, 1993 · Closed Apr 21, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
There is no summary currently available
PE89008 · Battery Cable Grounding
Opened Oct 21, 1988 · Closed Jan 26, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available