NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
15 reportsClear category filter9,732 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
TIMING BELT ON 1995 SAAB BROKE DESTROYING THE ENGINE. *TS THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK, THE SUN VISOR FELL OFF, THE BATTERY WENT DEAD, THE MOLDING WAS PEELING, THE SRS LIGHTS FLASHED, THERE WAS AN AIR VALVE PROBLEM, CENTER MUFFLER ROTTED AND LEAKED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PARKING …
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TIMING BELT ON 1995 SAAB BROKE DESTROYING THE ENGINE. *TS THERE WAS A COOLANT LEAK, THE SUN VISOR FELL OFF, THE BATTERY WENT DEAD, THE MOLDING WAS PEELING, THE SRS LIGHTS FLASHED, THERE WAS AN AIR VALVE PROBLEM, CENTER MUFFLER ROTTED AND LEAKED, THE WATER PUMP LEAKED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL WAS INOPERATIVE, THE PARKING LAMP HAD GONE OUT, THERE WAS NO HEAT, NO AIR AND NO FREON IN THE SYSTEM, THE REMOTE WAS INOPERATIVE, THERE WAS A SLOW LEAK IN THE SYSTEM, THE REAR MUFFLER BRACKET HAD BROKEN, THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERATIVE, THE EXHAUST HANGER HAD BROKEN, THE WATER TRAY GASKET LEAKED, THERE WAS A BATTERY REMOTE PROBLEM, THERE WAS A PARASITIC CURRENT DRAW, THE GLOVE BOX WOULD NOT OPEN AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE BELTS, MAIN DRIVE BELT, MUFFLER, WATER PUMP, FLEX PIPE, COMPRESSOR, TIRES, FRONT PADS AND ROTORS, VALVE, AIR VALVE, HEAD LIGHT, SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE FILTERS, DE ICE SWITCH, EVAPORATOR CORE, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE ALL REPLACED. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10144254
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2002
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE PROBLEM IS THE LATEST IN A LONG SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED YET. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS $500. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD JUST PASSED OUR CAR FO…
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THE SHIFT LOCK RELEASE PROBLEM IS THE LATEST IN A LONG SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $800 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPAIRED YET. THE NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH REPLACEMENT WAS $500. THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP HAD JUST PASSED OUR CAR FOR INSPECTION THE PREVIOUS DAY. (THEY DID NOT BELIEVE US WHEN WE TOLD THEM THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT WAS LIT.) THESE CARS ARE CALLED SAAB FOR A REASON WE SOB A LOT EVERYTIME WE GET A REPAIR BILL. DT
NHTSA ODI #768891
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 12, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #713172
Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL IN LOW GEAR AND APPLYING BRAKES THEY STARTED SMOKING. VEHICLE LOST BRAKE POWER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826795
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND DEALER INSISTS THAT THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO OCCIR MOST FREQUENTLY ON UNSTABLE SURFACE, SUCH AS GRAVEL/SAND ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA ODI #534246
Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKES ARE WET THEY CAUSE PROBLEMS WHEN STOPPING VEHICLE. ONCE BRAKE PADS HAVE DRIED, BRAKING POWER THEN RETURNS.OWNER ALSO NOTES OF BRAKE REPLACEMENT EVERY 15,000 MILES.DEALERS HAVE BRAKE BOOSTER KIT WHICH DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM.POSSIBLE NEW DESIGN FLAW. *AK
NHTSA ODI #818354
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1996
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER PROTRACTED PERIODS OF DRIVING WITHOUT USING BRAKE, A SHORT DELAY OCCURS WHEN FIRST USING BRAKE. *DSH
NHTSA ODI #503543
Mileage unknown · Nov 28, 1995
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
AFTER RESTING BRAKE VACUUM SYSTEM DROPS IN PRESSURE AND BLEEDS ON INCLINES.REVERSE INCLINE BRAKING DOES NOT STOP PROPERLY.MFR AWARE V6 HAVE THIS PROBLEM/NO FIX.
NHTSA ODI #975616
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1995
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY DID NOT ACTIVATE AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA ODI #973471
Official recalls
7Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗