Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 24 | −61% | 3 | Airbag | Good |
| 1997 | 21 | −61% | 3 | Transmission | Good |
| 1996 | 48 | 2.6× | 3 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 1995 | 100 | 4.7× | 7 | Transmission | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median 900 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Saab 900 problems
Latest Saab 900 recalls
Air bags
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.
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…
Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap. Owner notification began September 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Equipment › Other › Labels
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."
Remedy: 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
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."
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.
Vehicle speed control
Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Saab 900 should you avoid?
1995 and 1996 — these years have the most complaints relative to other 900 years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 1995.
What is the best year for the Saab 900?
1997 has the fewest complaints compared with other 900 years at the same age, followed by 1998. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Saab 900 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (35), electrical system (35) and engine & cooling (29). Transmission complaints peak in the 1995 model year.
How many recalls has the Saab 900 had?
10 recalls across 1995–1998. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Saab 900 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.