IllustrationTHE ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TIMING BELT FAILING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
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 reportsNO SUMMARY. DT
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
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES.*AK
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THERE IS VIBRATION COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. SHIFT LEVER LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH PANEL, AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
THE ENGINE ON VEHICLE FAILED AND IS NOW RENDERED USELESS. CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN FAULT WITH THESE VEHICLES AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. THE DEALER HOWEVER, DID NOT INFORM CONSUMER OF THE DEFECT WITH THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES. *JG
FUEL TANK DEVELOPED LEAK AT VENT FITTING. *AK
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
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COMMENTED THAT THE DIGITAL INDICATOR PANEL FELT HOT, CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE WHILE AT DINNER, THEN RETURNED, THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES FAILED AND THEN THE COOLANT LOW LIGHT, HEADLAMP OUT AND WASHER LOW INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, THE NEXT MORNING CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A FIRE HAD OCCURRED, THE …
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WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER COMMENTED THAT THE DIGITAL INDICATOR PANEL FELT HOT, CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE WHILE AT DINNER, THEN RETURNED, THE POWER ASSIST BRAKES FAILED AND THEN THE COOLANT LOW LIGHT, HEADLAMP OUT AND WASHER LOW INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, THE NEXT MORNING CONSUMER RAISED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A FIRE HAD OCCURRED, THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES HAD MELTED, THE ELECTRICAL WIRING BELOW THE HOSES WERE BARE COPPER, THE BATTERY, POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, BATTERY CABLES, VACUUM HOSES AND COOLING FINS ON THE ELECTRICAL COOLING MOTOR HAD ALL MELTED, THE HOOD INSULATION WAS ALSO DAMAGED, THERE WAS ADDITIONAL FIRE DAMAGE UNDER THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER, IT IS UNCERTAIN AS TO WHAT CAUSED THIS FIRE. *SLC
CLUTCH BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. ALSO, THERE WAS A SMALL COMPARTMENT FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
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.