The 1997 SAAB 900 has 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (3 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints21filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Equipment › Other › Labels
NHTSA recall 98V139000 · Jun 23, 1998 · 39,313 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
NHTSA recall 98V038000 · Feb 24, 1998 · 92,505 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 control
NHTSA recall 97V046000 · Mar 21, 1997 · 52,500 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.
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
1997 Saab 900 4-DR
Overall
Not 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
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
900 Convertible
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 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
17 / 25 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
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
900
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
900 Convertible
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
900 Convertible
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
900
19mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
900
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-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 train Clutch assembly; Automatic transmission
3
0
0
0
124,719 mi
Wheels Rim
2
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Power adjust
2
0
0
0
—
Structure Body; Body › Door
2
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control Cables
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition › Switch; Ignition › Module
2
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Power assist
2
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
2
0
0
1
—
Air bags
2
0
0
1
—
Visibility Windshield
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension
1
0
0
0
—
Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 2, 2014 · 123,000 milesSeat belts I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR
Aug 28, 2012 · 70,000 miles · 1 injuryAir bags TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
May 21, 2009 · 107,000 milesFuel system, gasoline 1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR
Sep 30, 2008 · 120,000 milesStructure › Body › Door MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR
Jul 17, 2006Electrical system › Ignition › Module FAILURE IN 1997 SAAB 900 SE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR YEAR MODEL 2000-2002, BUT EARLIER MODEL YEARS FAIL TOO. *JB
Jan 5, 2006 · 59,000 milesAir bags RE: SAAB 900 1997. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS TENSIONED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND THE RADIO POPPED OUT OF THE DASH. THIS IS EVENT IS VERY MUCH ALIKE TO DEFECTS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS OF SAAB 900 1995 AND 1998 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A REPORT AT SAAB. SAAB HAS INFORMED ME THAT AT THIS TIME THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. *JB
Sep 3, 2005 · 130,000 milesPower train › Clutch assembly THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM
May 25, 2005 · 75,500 miles · 1 injurySeat belts › Front › Buckle assembly DURING AN EXTREMELY HARD STOP AND SWERVE TO AVOID A VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF IT'S LANE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT POPPED OUT OF ITS HARNESS AND THE PASENGER WAS PROPELLED IN TO THE DASH.THE SEATBELT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, AND AFTERWARDS WE WERE UNABLE OT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY PULLING HARD ON THE SEATBELT.
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
DP00008 · opened Sep 25, 2000 · closed Nov 19, 2001DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY a
SQ98018 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Oct 27, 1998NEW WHEEL BOLTS 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.