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: 1 of 7 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
7 reports
230,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Power Train
VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY BE HARD TO START, WHEN DOES START IT MISSES UNTIL REVVED TO CLEAR UP. TUNE UPS ARE PERFORMED AT RECOMMENDED MILEAGE. MY CAR IS A 1990, FIRST YEAR FOR SAAB DIRECT IGNITION. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AGO, STARTING TO GO OUT AGAIN. DURING MY OWNERSHIP I HAVE REPLACED THE DIRECT …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WILL OCCASIONALLY BE HARD TO START, WHEN DOES START IT MISSES UNTIL REVVED TO CLEAR UP. TUNE UPS ARE PERFORMED AT RECOMMENDED MILEAGE. MY CAR IS A 1990, FIRST YEAR FOR SAAB DIRECT IGNITION. REPLACED IGNITION CASSETTE LESS THAN 30,000 MILES AGO, STARTING TO GO OUT AGAIN. DURING MY OWNERSHIP I HAVE REPLACED THE DIRECT IGNITION TWICE, I HAVE OWNED THE CAR APPROX 8 YEARS. I FEEL ALL OWNERS OF VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THIS PART SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. I USED TO BE SAAB TECH AND THESE MODULES GO OUT WAY TOO OFTEN AND ARE EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361579
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 1999
Seat Belts
NO SUMMARY
NHTSA ODI #713123
Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #819313
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND THE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT IT HAS NOT AFFECTED THE BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE JUST YET. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813467
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 1997
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GETS REALLY HARD WHEN IT DOES AND THE BRAKES DO OPERATE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #813322
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 1995
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES PURCHASE CAR NEW ONLY CAN DRIVE IN REVERSE . TT
NHTSA ODI #970521
Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 1995
Electrical SystemFire
CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
ABRASION ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD IN THE COMBINATION NEUTRAL SAFETY/BACKUP LAMP SWITCH OPERATED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR MAY CAUSE RESIDUE TO COLLECT IN ELECTRICAL AREA ON THE CIRCUIT CARD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITHSMOKE AND POSSIBLY A FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA.
Remedy: ADD AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, INCLUDING A RELAY, TO THE BACKUP LAMP CIRCUIT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT THAT CAN FLOW THROUGH THE COMBINATION SWITCH.
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
EA95020 · Passenger Compartment Fire
Opened Jun 30, 1995 · Closed Jul 31, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
PE95009 · Passenger Compartment Fires
Opened Feb 10, 1995 · Closed Jun 30, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
1990 Saab 9000 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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