Most common 1997 Saab 9000 problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Saab 9000 complaints by model year
Best 9000 years: 1997. Compare all years →
1997 Saab 9000 recalls (1)
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.
What 1997 Saab 9000 owners say
Speed control & acceleration
While at a stop vehicle revved at a high rate. Consumer switched to neutral/shut off vehicle to temporally stop the problem. On one occasion consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealerships mechanic tried to repair vehicle 3 times, but did not resolve the problem.
I was driving to work going 25mph when the car started accelerating. I stepped on the brake and I was barely able to stop. Since I was in traffic, I continued to a stop sign where the car stopped after a short lunge forward. I checked to be sure that the cruise control was off and I checked the dashboard and there were no warning messages flashing. When I removed my foot from the brake and with my foot off the accelelerator, the car gained speed quickly and I was only able to slow it down by keeping my foot on the brake. I pulled into a parking space, shifted the automatic car into "park" where the car started racing/revving at a very high rate of speed whereby I immediately shut off the car. I had the Saab towed to my dealer. The dealer said that they could find nothing wrong and that they were not able to do anything for me. …
1997 Saab 9000 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 24 / 19 |
| 2.3L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 24 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Saab 9000 a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 9000 rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the 9000 at the same age. It is one of the best 9000 years by this measure. 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 1997 Saab 9000?
The speed control & acceleration — 3 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (2) and brakes (1).
How many recalls does the 1997 Saab 9000 have?
There is 1 recall for the 1997 Saab 9000, the most recent from June 23, 1998 (labels). 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 9000?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997. See the full Saab 9000 years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Saab 9000 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 46,000 miles; 67% 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.