The 1993 SAAB 9000 has 5 safety recalls and 29 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (10 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints29filed by owners
Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
NHTSA recall 99V109000 · May 6, 1999 · 26,116 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Risk: THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
NHTSA recall 95V067000 · Mar 29, 1995 · 12,091 vehicles
Problem: MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Risk: THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
Problem: DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Risk: OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
NHTSA recall 94V108000 · Jun 9, 1994 · 9,747 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: A NUMBER OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES HAVE AN OVAL-SHAPED PISTON WHICH CAN GET STUCK UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. OTHER SWITCHES WERE MOUNTED SO THAT BOTH LOCKING TABS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGED IN THE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF ONE SIDE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE SWITCH IS MISALIGNED WITH THE PEDAL MECHANISM AND CAN BIND THE PISTON MOVEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO STICK IN THE "OFF" OR "ON" POSITION.
Risk: THIS RESULTS IN EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS RESULTS IN INACCURATE SIGNALS OF BRAKE OPERATION TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. FOR VEHICLES WITH THE OVAL-SHAPED PISTON AND FOR VEHICLES WITH MISALIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.
Fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA recall 94V029000 · Feb 3, 1994 · 5,824 vehicles
Problem: THE FUEL FILLER AND TANK VENTILATION HOSES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS UNDER THE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT.
Fix: THE FUEL FILLER AND FUEL VENTILATION HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW HOSES. THE FIVE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW TYPE WITH A SHIELD THAT PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WHEN TIGHTENED.
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
1993 Saab 9000CS 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
9000
21mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
9000
20mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
9000
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
9000
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
9000
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.3 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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 Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Automatic transmission
10
1
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
4
0
1
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline Storage › Tank assembly
4
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
3
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
3
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Front underhood
2
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal › Sensor/control module
2
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist system
1
0
0
0
—
Seats Front assembly › Recliner
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Control arm › Lower arm
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
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
Jul 1, 2005Fuel system, gasoline WE FIXED THE CAR THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL WAS LEAKING, AND IT WAS A BIG SPRAY IN THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT WE HAD TROUBLE WITH TURNING IT ON AND IT STAYING ON. NOW THE CAR ABOUT NOVEMBER '05 IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GAS AGAIN. IT IS NOW MAY 9 2006 AND WE TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSTICS TEST IN MARCH '06 AND THEY WEREN'T TOO SURE WHAT THE MISHAP IS. WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED I AM CURRENTLY 2 MONTHS PREGNANT AND I WILL PRETTY SOON NEED TO CARRY MY CHILD IN THIS VEHICLE BUT I AM REALLY SCARED OF WHAT COULD GO WRONG. I CONSTANTLY GET RIDES FROM MY MOTHER, BECAUSE OF THE CAR DYING ON ME. *NM
Jul 27, 2003 · 55,291 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *AK
Mar 19, 2004Power train › Automatic transmission DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOUR TIMES. *AK
Apr 8, 2003 · 80,000 milesSeat belts THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HAVING TO BE CUT OUT. *JB
Oct 10, 2002Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CUTS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE PEDEL FORCEFUL COMES UP, CAR SLOWS - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TILL FOOT IS LIFTED OF ACCELERATOR AND DEPRESSED AGAIN. PEDAL IS NOW HARD TO DEPRESS AND POWER LOSS IS SIGNIFCANT FROM NORMAL. VERY ENJOYABLE WHEN ACCELERATING AND CHANGING LANES IN FRONT OF A SEMI. THIS WILL HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WHEN ACCELERATING - TRYING TO PASS, GET ON A FREEWAY, ETC. THIS HAPPENS UPON DEPRESSING THE PEDAL ONLY SLIGHTLY. THERE IS NO MODIFICATIONS TO CORRECT AND TURN OFF COMPLETELY. DT
Aug 29, 2002Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module NHTSA RECALL 99V109000, AIR BAG MODULE, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND AT TIMES THE LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *AK *JB
Jun 17, 2002Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN, AND VEHICLE TO BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE; CURRENTLY, IT IS GOING ON THE 3RD TIME, AND HAS NOT REMEDIED THE PROBLEM.*AK THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD REPEATED FAILURES OF THE COMPONENTS RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE EACH TIME. *JG
Aug 17, 1998Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN WITHOUT NEED WHEN THERE ARE NO SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD OR SOME TIMES A BUMP, IT ALSO ACTIVATES AT HIGH SPEEDS.*ET
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
SQ98006 · opened Apr 22, 1998 · closed May 8, 1998AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.