ON JULY 22, 2005 I WAS DRIVING MY '95 SAAB ON THE A1 MOTORWAY IN UNITED KINGDOM. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 70 MPH (POSTED SPEED LIMIT) I HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THIS VEHICLE BEFORE. (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR HEADING TOWARD LONDON. AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN, I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO…
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ON JULY 22, 2005 I WAS DRIVING MY '95 SAAB ON THE A1 MOTORWAY IN UNITED KINGDOM. I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 70 MPH (POSTED SPEED LIMIT) I HAD NEVER USED THE CRUISE CONTROL IN THIS VEHICLE BEFORE. (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THE INCIDENT HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR HEADING TOWARD LONDON. AS I HAD TO SLOW DOWN, I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES! I NEVER HAD ANY ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES PRIOR. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND I WAS HEADING TOWARD THE REAR END OF A CAR AT 70 MPH. I QUICKLY SWERVED TO THE LEFT LANE, THEN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLES AND CAUSING A MULTI-CAR PILE UP AND POTENTIALLY MANY DEATHS. I FLEW OFF THE ROAD, THROUGH A 5" STEEL SIGN POST AND ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES IN A FIELD. AMAZINGLY, I WAS ONLY BRUISED AND BATTERED, BUT OF COURSE THE CAR IS TOTALED. THIS IS A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DEFECT! EVEN IF THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD, IF THERE IS SOME TYPE OF CORROSION THAT HAPPENS TO CAUSE A FAILURE OF BRAKES TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL, MANY LIVES WILL BE LOST. IRONICALLY, IT WAS SAAB ENGINEERING THAT ALLOWED ME TO WALK OUT OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. POLICE AND WITNESSES WERE ON SCENE WHO SAW MY BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, YET NOT SLOW DOWN. AS I SAID, THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND I CAN ONLY ASSUME THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CAR WILL BE INSPECTED BY UK'S VOSA. PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU CHARLES EARHART. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10132332
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
AT ABOUT 1000 A.M. ,MY DAUGHTER JENNIFER AGE 19 WAS DRIVING MY 1995 SAAB 900SE CONVERTIBLE ON THE NYS THRUWAY FROM ALBANY TO OUR HOME IN UTICA , NY WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING THE HERKIMER T-WAY EXIT. SHE WAS GOING TO EXIT THE T-WAY THERE , SO SHE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE RE…
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AT ABOUT 1000 A.M. ,MY DAUGHTER JENNIFER AGE 19 WAS DRIVING MY 1995 SAAB 900SE CONVERTIBLE ON THE NYS THRUWAY FROM ALBANY TO OUR HOME IN UTICA , NY WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING THE HERKIMER T-WAY EXIT. SHE WAS GOING TO EXIT THE T-WAY THERE , SO SHE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. SHE TOLD ME THAT WHEN SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO SLOW DOWN AND BEGAN TO GAIN SPEED. SHE SAYS THAT WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN FROM 55 MPH TO 85 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS . SHE SAYS SHE BECAME HYSTERICAL AND BEGAN TO PLACE ALL OF HER WEIGHT ON HER FOOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES FULLY ,BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE SAYS THAT THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND WHEN THE BRAKES FINALLY SLOWED THE VEHICLE JUST ENOUGH WHERE SHE GAINED A LITTLE BIT OF CONTROL, SHE THREW THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF, STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AS YOU CAN SEE THIS COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC RESULTS IN ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE. THANK GOD THAT MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT INJURED IN ANY WAY OTHER THAN HER INSTANT FEAR OF DRIVING A CAR AGAIN. THE VEHICLE NOW IS AT THE PLACE OF BUSINESS WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED AND INQUIRIES ARE BEING MADE AT THIS TIME TO SEE IF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WITH THIS SAAB PRODUCT. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME , BUT SUFFICE TO SAY THAT THE BRAKES WERE PRETTY MUCH BURNED UP. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER THAT YOU COULD GIVE US. SINCERELY, ROSE MARY DOUGHERTY *LA
NHTSA ODI #10054892
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #8016579
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlInjury
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES, WHICH DRIVER JUST HAD FIXED, CAR ONLY SLOWED DOWN BUT WOULD NOT STOP.
NHTSA ODI #9003851
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE THE CAR IS IN THE GEAR POSITION ON LEVEL GROUND THE CAR WILL START TO ROLL. ,AS A RESULT, THE CAR ROLLED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AS WELL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847922
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 1997
Vehicle Speed Control
RECALL NOTICE (97V-046) THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL, NOT RECEIVED BY CONSUMER IN A TIMELY MANOR. (MJS)
NHTSA ODI #523164
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1996
Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION TWICE, ONCE CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #513343
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1995
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
1) CRUISE CONTROL W/5 SPD TRANSMISSION; SYSTEM FAILED TO DISENGAGE WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL. 2) SYSTEM DISENGAGED BUT SPEED DROPPED TO ZERO. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
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