Model year record

1995 SAAB 900 recalls & problems

The 1995 SAAB 900 has 7 safety recalls and 100 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (26 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints100filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsNov 14, 2002

Air bags

Recall 02V30800020,476 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingFeb 24, 1998

Headlights

Recall 98V03800092,505 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Fix: 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.

Vehicle speed controlMar 21, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V04600052,500 vehicles

Problem: CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
Risk: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.

SteeringJan 23, 1996

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 96V0080008,988 vehicles

Problem: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE COLUMN TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: IF MISALIGNED, AN ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE CAN FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemMar 29, 1995

Ignition › Module

Recall 95V0660005,383 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REVISED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Power trainMar 29, 1995

Manual transmission

Recall 95V0680008,993 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: 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.

SeatsNov 18, 1994

Front assembly › Recliner

Recall 94V22600010,584 vehicles

Problem: ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1995 Saab 900 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

900 Convertible

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

900

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

900

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

900 Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

900 Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

900 Convertible

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

900

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

900

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

900 Convertible

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

900

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainManual transmission; Clutch assembly	26	2	1	0	110,000 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Module	23	0	3	0	59,250 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor	21	2	1	0	60,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	17	2	0	0	—
StructureBody › Roof and pillars; Frame and members	11	1	0	0	—
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Windshield	8	1	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	8	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlLinkages	8	2	0	2	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Tail lights	7	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	7	0	0	0	103,064 mi
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.	5	0	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Upper arm	5	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
Apr 29, 2012 · 117,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT AND IMMEDIATELY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,785 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,292. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10*JB
Jul 25, 2010 · 160,785 miles
Suspension › Front
1995 SAAB 900 LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. THE BOTTOM HALF OF A TURN BROKE OFF AT A SHALLOW ANGLE SOME TIME AGO. THE BROKEN OFF SECTION STAYED IN THE RING AROUND THE STRUT AND MADE A LOUD THIN METAL RATTLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING IMPORTANT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *TR
May 13, 2009 · 130,000 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE WHILE THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN NEUTRAL. HE CAN ALSO ACCIDENTALLY DISENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR BOX WAS BAD. UPDATED 10/31/08. *JB
Aug 22, 2008 · 130,000 miles
Air bags › Frontal
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Aug 16, 2008 · 80,000 miles
Power train › Manual transmissionCrash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS NUMEROUS TIMES UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO AN INTERSECTION AND STRUCK A STOP SIGN. SHE HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES, HOWEVER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION), ALTHOUGH HER VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO MOVE THE…
Jan 1, 1996 · 150 miles
Power train › Manual transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE GEAR REPAIRED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL # 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 151,000. THE CONSUMER STATED RECEIVED A TICKET AND SUMMONS FOR PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK, THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR BEHIND HIM TAPPED HIS CAR AND THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT…
Jun 8, 2007 · 151,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED SAAB USA AT 1-800-955-9007 AND SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR LEMONT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SAAB DOES NOT COVER COSTS INVOLVED IN REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN BUT ONLY FOR THE BELT AT VERY SPECIFIC MILEAGE POINTS AS TO THE HISTORY OF WIDESPREAD BREAKAGE AND SAFETY PROBLEMS AND SUBSEQUENT COSTLY DAMAGE TO ENGINES. *NM
Dec 17, 2006 · 76,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEYClosed
a
DP00008 · opened Sep 25, 2000 · closed Nov 19, 2001
NEW WHEEL BOLTSClosed
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.
SQ98018 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Oct 27, 1998