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1995 Saab 900

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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: 22 of 100 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 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

7 reports
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117,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456948

80,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238763

114,000 miles · Feb 2, 2005
Air Bags

I WAS DRIVING MY SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE PASSANGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATLY PULLED OVER AND AS I WAS CHECKING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG BROKE MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATLY AFTER THEY DEPLOYED THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDIC…

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I WAS DRIVING MY SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE PASSANGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I IMMEDIATLY PULLED OVER AND AS I WAS CHECKING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE NOISE WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG BROKE MY WINDSHIELD AND IMMEDIATLY AFTER THEY DEPLOYED THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON. I WILL BE TAKING THE CAR TO HAVE IT INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED SAAB REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC IS GUESSING AT THIS POINT THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON A BUSY ROAD OR A HIGHWAY THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY BEEN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INCIDENT. FORTUNATLY FOR ME AND OTHERS TRAVELING THIS WAS NOT THE CASE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10108466

92,128 miles · Sep 2, 2003
Air BagsSeat Belts

WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE VEHICLES PASSENGERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE TO LET THE SMOKE CLEAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND DROVE ABOUT 40 YARDS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELTS ALSO LOCKED . *AK *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031240

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2003
Air Bags

SAAB REFUSES TO FOLLOW UP ON A CONFIRMED (MEDIA-PUBLISHED) RECALL ANNOUNCED IN NOV 2002 (3 MONTHS AGO) CONCERNING RANDOM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SAAB CORPORATE REFUSES TO SPECIFY VINS OR GIVE ANY PLANNED RESOLUTION, AND THE SAAB DEALERS CONFIRM THAT MY CAR IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED, BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE ANY ACTION YET, AND SAAB IS DR…

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SAAB REFUSES TO FOLLOW UP ON A CONFIRMED (MEDIA-PUBLISHED) RECALL ANNOUNCED IN NOV 2002 (3 MONTHS AGO) CONCERNING RANDOM AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. SAAB CORPORATE REFUSES TO SPECIFY VINS OR GIVE ANY PLANNED RESOLUTION, AND THE SAAB DEALERS CONFIRM THAT MY CAR IS LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED, BUT NO ONE WILL TAKE ANY ACTION YET, AND SAAB IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET! ISN'T THEIR A TIME LIMIT FOR THEM TO START THIS RECALL? HOW DO WE ESCALATE THIS SITUATION, PLS?

NHTSA ODI #10007869

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemInterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS ARE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND NOTHING WAS REMEDIED. MAIN COMPUTER MAY BE THE REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ALSO, BRAKES ARE FAILING AND AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK. *JG

NHTSA ODI #8005444

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Air Bags

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, A STRANGE ODOR COULD BE SMELLED IN THE CAR. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO DETERMINE IF THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE CAR. AS I REALIZED THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR, THE BOTTOM TWO OR THREE INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE MAIN…

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AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, A STRANGE ODOR COULD BE SMELLED IN THE CAR. I OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW TO DETERMINE IF THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE THE CAR. AS I REALIZED THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM INSIDE THE CAR, THE BOTTOM TWO OR THREE INCHES OF THE WINDSHIELD BEGAN TO FOG UP. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE MAIN STREET TO PARK THE CAR AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. JUST AFTER I TURNED THE CORNER, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EXPLODED. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. WHEN THE AIR BAG EXPLODED IT RIPPED APART THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD, IT SHATTERED THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND IT FILLED THE CAR WITH FUMES (EVENTHOUGH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WAS STILL ALL THE WAY DOWN). THE EXPLOSION OCCURED AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 P.M. ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2000. THE AIRBAG EXPLODED AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF A MILE. BECAUSE IT WAS FRIDAY EVENING, I HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME. CARTER SAAB WAS CONTACTED ON MONDAY AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON TUESDAY. THE CAR HAS VERY FEW MILES ON IT AND HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAR. ALL SERVICING TO THIS CAR HAS BEEN PERFORMED BY CARTER SAAB, AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP AND REPAIR SHOP. ALL MANUFACTURER'S SERVICE AND WARRANTY WORK WAS PERFORMED BY CARTER. ALL MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED BY CARTER. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE SRS WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. BEFORE DRIVING THE CAR, I READ THE SECTION CONCERNING THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUAL CONTAINS THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT THE DRIVER IS TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST DEALER IMMEDIATELY BECAUSE THE AIR BAR MAY NOT ACTIVATE IN CASE OF A COLLISION.

NHTSA ODI #733623

Official recalls

7

02V308000 · Air Bags

Nov 14, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND PERFORM CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE BOTTOM OF AN ELECTROLYTE CAPACITOR, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR IT TO LEAK ELECTROLYTE WITHIN THE AIR BAG ECU. ALSO, IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS, THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CAN CAUSE RAPID COOLING OF THE ECU, WHICH IN TURN MAY CAUSE THE FORMATION OF CONDENSATION WITH THE UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

98V038000 · 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.

96V008000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Jan 23, 1996

THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE COLUMN TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF MISALIGNED, AN ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE CAN FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN ALIGNMENT TO ENSURE THAT NO MISALIGNMENT EXISTS. IF A MISALIGNMENT IS FOUND, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT.

95V066000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Mar 29, 1995

UPON STARTUP, A VOLTAGE DROP TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION WHERE ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES FROM 600 TO 3,000 RPM FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE NORMAL ENGINE IDLE OF 900 RPM.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REVISED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

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.

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

2

DP00008 · Defective Water Pump Pulley

Opened Sep 25, 2000 · Closed Nov 19, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

a

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.