IllustrationBOUGHT CAR WITH UNDISCLOSED PROBLEMS. TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS WITH SELLER WITHOUT SUCCESS.
1995 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: 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
What owners actually said
100 reportsI OWN A 1995 SAAB 900 SE WITH A MANNUAL TRANSMISSION. I WOULD GUESS AS A SAFTEY FEATURE, THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE IN THE REVERSE POSITION TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS INSURES THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE WHEN NOT OCCUPIED IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN ENGAGED. ON MY VEHICLE THE SHIFT LEVER CAN BE IN THE RE…
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I OWN A 1995 SAAB 900 SE WITH A MANNUAL TRANSMISSION. I WOULD GUESS AS A SAFTEY FEATURE, THIS VEHICLE REQUIRES THE SHIFT LEVER TO BE IN THE REVERSE POSITION TO REMOVE THE KEY. THIS INSURES THAT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE WHEN NOT OCCUPIED IF THE PARKING BRAKE HAS NOT BEEN ENGAGED. ON MY VEHICLE THE SHIFT LEVER CAN BE IN THE REVERSE POSITION AND THE KEY REMOVED, BUT THE REVERSE GEAR IS NEVER ACTUALLY ENGAGED OR CAN BE EASILY MOVED OUT OF REVERSE. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WAS WHEN I FOUND MY VEHICLE HAD ROLLED FORWARD AND WAS RESTING AGAINST THE BUMPER OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT. THE SECOND TIME I NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WAS WHEN I CLOSED THE HOOD, HEARD A CLICK SOUND AND FOUND MY VEHICLE ROLLING FORWARD TOWARDS ME. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST 30 FEET AWAY AT THE BOTTOM OF SMALL SLOPE ABOUT 5 FEET FROM THE NEIGHBORS HOUSE. IT HAS HAPPENED A COUPLE TIME SINCE THEN, BUT I AM UNSURE OF THE FREQUENCY BECAUSE I NOW ALMOST ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BRAKE.
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
WHILE DRIVING, THE FAN BELT BROKE, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THIS WAS THE THIRD FAILURE UNDER 50,000 MILES. *AK PH *JB
1995 SAAB 900 SE STALLS UPON COLD START AND ALSO CUTS OFF (STALLS) WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS TOTALLY TUNED AND ALL THROTTLE, FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLEAN ETC. I CONTACTED DEALER AND SAAB WEB-SITE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL 95V066000 BUT I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE.
ENGINE SPROCKET AND BALANCE CHAIN FAILURE. *MR *PH
NAR 03-24-2003 MR WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING. WHEN THERE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THERE WERE NO ABNORMALITIES FOUND IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BUT THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT IF PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED …
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NAR 03-24-2003 MR WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER SUSPECTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM IN THE STEERING. WHEN THERE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, THERE WERE NO ABNORMALITIES FOUND IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED BUT THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID THAT IF PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED IT MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND ENDANGER OTHERS. *CB *JB
THE ALTERNATOR FROZE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK.*JB *TS
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?
I AM CONTACTING YOU REGARDING SAAB CARS USA INABILITY TO NOTIFY ME OF A TIMING BELT RECALL RELATING TO CERTAIN PULLEYS. PURSUANT TO A CONVERSATION WITH MR. GRANT HESSMAN OF SAAB CARS USA (SAAB COMPLAINT # 1-57069705), I WAS NOTIFIED THAT SAAB WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PART NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE DEALER S…
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I AM CONTACTING YOU REGARDING SAAB CARS USA INABILITY TO NOTIFY ME OF A TIMING BELT RECALL RELATING TO CERTAIN PULLEYS. PURSUANT TO A CONVERSATION WITH MR. GRANT HESSMAN OF SAAB CARS USA (SAAB COMPLAINT # 1-57069705), I WAS NOTIFIED THAT SAAB WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PART NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE DEALER SINCE MY CAR HAS GONE OVER THE SAAB IMPOSED MILEAGE LIMIT. IT IS MY INTENTION TO DETERMINE WHY SAAB WILL NOT PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT IS THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND THEIR INABILITY TO NOTIFY ME OF THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW AND I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTHORIZED SAAB DEALERS FOR MAINTENANCE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, WHICH WAS CONFIRMED BY MR. HESSMAN. IT IS DISTURBING THAT SAAB CAN VIEW RECENT MAINTENANCE INFORMATION YET CLAIM THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO MY MAILING ADDRESS THAT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT FOR 6 YEARS. IT IS THIS REASON THEY CLAIM THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. IT WOULD ALSO BE HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHY SAAB CONTACTS ME VIA MY MAILING ADDRESS FOR SALES AND SERVICE MATERIAL YET CAN'T FOR RECALL INFORMATION.
Official recalls
702V308000 · 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
2DP00008 · 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.