I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 38,324 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS A SEIZED BEARING/BUSHING THAT SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE CLUTCH CABLE TO BREAK WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS (I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT ON NJ STATE HIGHWAY 46E AT TIME OF FAILURE). REPAIR COST WAS ~$1K, BUT UPON COMPLAINING, T…
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I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 38,324 MILES. THE CAUSE WAS A SEIZED BEARING/BUSHING THAT SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE CLUTCH CABLE TO BREAK WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS (I WAS ACCELERATING AWAY FROM A STOPLIGHT ON NJ STATE HIGHWAY 46E AT TIME OF FAILURE). REPAIR COST WAS ~$1K, BUT UPON COMPLAINING, THE DEALERSHIP PROVIDED THE PARTS (GOODWILL) AND I PAID THE LABOR: $600 OUT-OF-POCKET. THEIR RECEIPT COPY INDICATED THAT THE PARTS WERE BEING REPORTED AS A WARRANTY REPAIR.*AK
NHTSA ODI #746553
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 1999
Power Train
STOPPED CAR AT GAS STATION, PLACED SHIFTER IN REVERSE POSITION (SUPPOSED TO BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REMOVE KEY), APPLIED PARKING BRAKE, TOOK KEY OUT OF LOCK, GOT OUT OF CAR TO PUMP GAS. AS I WALKED AROUND THE CAR TO GET TO THE GAS PUMP, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD WITH MY 6 YR OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. I RAN AFTER THE CA…
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STOPPED CAR AT GAS STATION, PLACED SHIFTER IN REVERSE POSITION (SUPPOSED TO BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO REMOVE KEY), APPLIED PARKING BRAKE, TOOK KEY OUT OF LOCK, GOT OUT OF CAR TO PUMP GAS. AS I WALKED AROUND THE CAR TO GET TO THE GAS PUMP, THE CAR BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD WITH MY 6 YR OLD CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. I RAN AFTER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, JUMP IN, AND STOP IT, BEFORE IT HIT A TRUCK WHICH WAS PARKED AT THE GAS STATION. THE CAR IS DESIGNED SO THAT THE SHIFTER MUST BE IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE KEY. HOWEVER, OCCASIONALLY THE KEY CAN BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER IS IN THE REVERSE POSITION BUT THE REVERSE GEAR IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN "ADJUSTED" TWICE. IT CONTINUES TO RECUR. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE FIXED OR DISABLED. THE PROBLEM WAS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702903
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 1998
Power Train
THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN THE REVERSE POSITION, AND THE KEY WILL BE OUT OF THE IGNITION WHICH MAY CAUSE A ROLL AWAY. ALSO WHEN IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE IN NEUTRAL JUST AS THE RECALL 95V068000 INDICATES. MFR STATED THAT THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830764
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1998
Power Train
CLUTCH FAILED CATASTROPHICALLY LATE AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON A RURAL ROAD. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BY A SAAB MECHANIC.
NHTSA ODI #534156
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 1997
Power Train
VEHICLE VIBRATES UPON STARTING IGNITION.
NHTSA ODI #521001
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 1997
Power Train
TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN STICK SHIFT IS LIGHTLY TOUCHED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #518333
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 1995
Power Train
THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN NEUTRAL THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAIN TO MOVE. THIS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA ODI #971497
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingParking BrakePower Train
PROBLEM WITH GEAR SHIFTER.
NHTSA ODI #484727
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 1995
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeats
AXLE BEARING HOUSE CRACKED, CAUSING REAR NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #479686
Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1995
Power Train
5 SPEED TRANSMISSION LINKAGE BROKE, RESULTING IN STALLED VEHICLE IN MIDDLE OF BUSY INTERSECTION. AFTER REPLACEMENT PROBLEM REPEATED IN 2 DAYS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1995 Saab 900 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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