Most common 1995 Saab 900 problems
Share of the 100 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saab 900 complaints by model year
Best 900 years: 1997, 1998. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1995 Saab 900 recalls (7)
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…
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.
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
The steering column shaft was incorrectly installed in the vehicle causing the column to be out of alignment.
Remedy: 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 system › Ignition › Module
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.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new revised electronic control module.
Power train › Manual transmission
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.
Remedy: 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…
Show 1 more recall
Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
One or more of the ARC welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 1995 Saab 900:
New 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.
Defective water pump pulley
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What 1995 Saab 900 owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 21 →
Tl 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 the consumer stated it is impossible to move the shift lever into the reverse gear position, remove the key from the ignition and still have the transmission in neutral. Updated 12/12/07
NHTSA id#: 95V068000 recall issued 3/20/95 for manufacturing dates aug 1993 - sep 1994 was determined not to be applicable for my car, [redacted] but it should have applicable because the result of the defect is exactly what happened to my car. Additionally, NHTSA id#: 95vo68000 should have been applicable because NHTSA id#95V066000 issued 3/20/94 for manufacturing dated July 1994 - dec 1994 was applicable. A mistake was made. NHTSA id#: 95V068000 should have included my car because my car rolled from its original parked position after moving the gear into the reverse position and removing the ignition key. My car is totaled. But it was not my fault. It was parked on a flat service in my garage. There is no other damage but I do not want this to be considered "my fault" and I want my deductible. …
Electrical system
Started automobile and went 2 car lengths and saw smoke coming from under hood. Shut engine down and opened hood. Cause of smoke was a cable that was on fire. Not hugh, but like bic lighter flames. About 3 to 5. Blew out fire. Went into office got some bottled water. Came back. Restarted auto. Got out and looked at engine. Fire again. Put out with water. Nothing on electronic infor display indicated fire. Called dealer and mechanic advised to have car towed in, which I did. At first Saab rep did not even wish to pay for cause of problem, the electical harness. Finally did, but this is a fire. I have drove cars for the past 40 years. They (Saab) should not take a fire lightly. I think they should recall the car and investigate why it caught on fire. They elected easy way out. …
Timing belt on 1995 Saab broke destroying the engine. There was a coolant leak, the sun visor fell off, the battery went dead, the molding was peeling, the SRS lights flashed, there was an air valve problem, center muffler rotted and leaked, the water pump leaked, the driver's side turn signal was inoperative, the parking lamp had gone out, there was no heat, no air and no freon in the system, the remote was inoperative, there was a slow leak in the system, the rear muffler bracket had broken, the cd player was inoperative, the exhaust hanger had broken, the water tray gasket leaked, there was a battery remote problem, there was a parasitic current draw, the glove box would not open and the engine completely destroyed. …
Engine & cooling
Timing belt on 1995 Saab broke destroying the engine. There was a coolant leak, the sun visor fell off, the battery went dead, the molding was peeling, the SRS lights flashed, there was an air valve problem, center muffler rotted and leaked, the water pump leaked, the driver's side turn signal was inoperative, the parking lamp had gone out, there was no heat, no air and no freon in the system, the remote was inoperative, there was a slow leak in the system, the rear muffler bracket had broken, the cd player was inoperative, the exhaust hanger had broken, the water tray gasket leaked, there was a battery remote problem, there was a parasitic current draw, the glove box would not open and the engine completely destroyed. …
While driving, consumer commented that the digital indicator panel felt hot, consumer parked vehicle while at dinner, then returned, the power assist brakes failed and then the coolant low light, headlamp out and washer low indicators illuminated, the next morning consumer raised the hood and discovered a fire had occurred, the upper and lower radiator hoses had melted, the electrical wiring below the hoses were bare copper, the battery, power steering reservoir, plastic engine cover, battery cables, vacuum hoses and cooling fins on the electrical cooling motor had all melted, the hood insulation was also damaged, there was additional fire damage under the plastic engine cover, it is uncertain as to what caused this fire.
1995 Saab 900 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 16 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 Saab 900 a good car?
Based on 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 900 rates avoid: 4.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the 900 at the same age. It is one of the 900 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 Saab 900?
The transmission & drivetrain — 21 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about manual transmission. Next are the electrical system (19) and engine & cooling (17).
How many recalls does the 1995 Saab 900 have?
There are 7 recalls for the 1995 Saab 900, the most recent from November 14, 2002 (air bags). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Saab 900?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997 and 1998. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Saab 900 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1995 Saab 900 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 92,000 miles; 18% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.