IllustrationA FIRE STARTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH OF THE CAR, IN A RAPID SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THICK SMOKE ENGULFED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, AS THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ADDING TO THE FLAMES, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. NLM
1994 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: 4 of 44 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
44 reportsDRIVING IN OUTSIDE LANE OF HIGHWAY -- TOTAL, SUDDEN FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM -- EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING AT ONCE (INCLUDING 4-WAY FLASHERS, WIPERS. LIGHTS ETC.) -- POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE HAD CORRODED -- BUT THE SAME CABLE WAS REPLACED THE YEAR BEFORE DUE TO SIMILAR, SLIGHT INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH IT (ENGINE "CATCHING" …
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DRIVING IN OUTSIDE LANE OF HIGHWAY -- TOTAL, SUDDEN FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM -- EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING AT ONCE (INCLUDING 4-WAY FLASHERS, WIPERS. LIGHTS ETC.) -- POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE HAD CORRODED -- BUT THE SAME CABLE WAS REPLACED THE YEAR BEFORE DUE TO SIMILAR, SLIGHT INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH IT (ENGINE "CATCHING" TAPE PLAYER EJECTING, CD GOING ON "CODE" CLOCK ZEROING, ETC.). THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS.*AK
DUE TO A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE SEIZED WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. THERE WAS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN WHICH THE OWNER WAS UNAWARE. THERE A NEWLY DESIGN FOR THE TIMING BELT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE IN REVERSE GEAR JUMPS INTO NEUTRAL . VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 95V068000. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
SERPENTINE BELT PULLEYS BROKE OFF TWICE, IN THE LAST FEW THOUSAND MILES, CAUSING DESTRUCTION OF BRAND NEW SERPENTINE BELTS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE, AND OVERHEATING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, IN WHICH ANOTHER PULLEY BROKE OFF THE SYSTEM COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH, GIVE…
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SERPENTINE BELT PULLEYS BROKE OFF TWICE, IN THE LAST FEW THOUSAND MILES, CAUSING DESTRUCTION OF BRAND NEW SERPENTINE BELTS, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, LOSS OF HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING, LOSS OF BATTERY CHARGE, AND OVERHEATING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT, IN WHICH ANOTHER PULLEY BROKE OFF THE SYSTEM COULD HAVE CAUSED DEATH, GIVEN THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURED UP NORTH, AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS WELL BELOW FREEZING. LUCKILY, A DUNKIN DONUTS RESTAURANT WAS ON HAND WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CAR'S FAILURE.
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
ENGINE TIMING BELT WENT OUT, AND CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THESE MATTERS. *AK
SAAB PROVIDED DEALERS/MECHANICS WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT NEGLECTED TO PROVIDE CONSUMERS WITH A SAFETY RECALL. WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN A FREE, 30 MINUTE REPAIR RESULTED IN OVER $600, 2 DAYS OF REPAIRS, AND A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH MY ENGINE NEARLY BURNED OUT.
PULLEY ON THE SERPENTINE BELT ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK.ET.
Official recalls
898V038000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Feb 24, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY AIMING THE HEADLIGHTING SYSTEM WERE OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OWNER GUIDES. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN AFFIX THE INSERTS IN THEIR OWNER GUIDE FOR THEM.
97V046000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Mar 21, 1997
CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS BINDING CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
95V068000 · Power Train:manual Transmission
Mar 29, 1995
IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, OR, TO ACCIDENTLY DISENGAGE REVERSE BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE A SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN THE SHIFT IS MOVED TO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE REVERSE GEAR IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED.
94V226000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner
Nov 18, 1994
ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.
Remedy: BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS WILL BE INSPECTED WITH THE USE OF A HOOK TO PULL BACK THE SEAT BACK UPHOLSTERY. FOR ANY SEAT WITH MISSING WELDS, THE SEAT BACK FRAME/RECLINER WILL BE REPLACED.
94V174000 · Structure:body:door
Sep 14, 1994
THE TWO WELD POINTS IN THE REARWARD ATTACHMENT BRACKET FOR THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION BEAM IN THE REAR DOOR MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. IF THE WELDS ARE OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLES WILL NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 214, S5, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR SEATS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE COLLISION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUPPORT BRACKETS AT THE SUPPORT WELD LOCATIONS.
94V127000 · Seats
Jul 8, 1994
TWO TRIGGER SPRINGS MOUNTED TO THE FORE/AFT ADJUSTMENT LEVER DO NOT DEVELOP SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PROPERLY LOCK THE SEAT RAILS. AFTER THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED, THIS DOES NOT ALLOW THE SEAT RAIL LOCK TO PROPERLY ENGAGE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SEAT TO MOVE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE TWO SPRINGS ON EACH SEAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW SPRINGS WITH PROPER TENSION TO ENSURE PROPER ENGAGEMENT.
94V110000 · Seats
Jun 13, 1994
A WELD IN THE SEAT RAILS WAS NOT MADE, INCREASING THE RISK OF FATIGUE CRACKS FORMING AROUND THE ATTACHMENT BUSHINGS ON THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM, CAUSING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER BREAKING IN A REAR END COLLISION AND ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FOLD BACKWARDS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT FRAME RAILS.
94V074000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
Apr 16, 1994
THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND/OR PADS SHIELDS DO NOT PROTECT THE ASSEMBLIES FROM BEING COATED WITH A LAYER OF SLUSH, ROAD SALT OR WATER WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKING ACTION THAT INCREASES NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKE SHIELDS WITH A NEW DESIGN. AN ADDITIONAL HOLE WILL BE DRILLED IN THE STEERING KING PIN HOUSING TO ATTACH A LARGER COVER PLATE. A SMALLER PROTECTION PLATE WILL ALSO BE ATTACHED TO THE EXISTING TWO BOLTS IN THE HUB.
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
3DP00008 · Defective Water Pump Pulley
Opened Sep 25, 2000 · Closed Nov 19, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
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SQ98018 · New Wheel Bolts
Opened Oct 9, 1998 · Closed Oct 27, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels
saab issued a tsb informing dealers about a new wheel mounting bolt.If the issue is loosening of the lug nut, this could lead to bolt fatigue and the potential for a wheel separation.
SQ98006 · Audio System Fires
Opened Apr 22, 1998 · Closed May 8, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.