US vehicle recalls and complaint patterns, explained

Saab 900 recall history and complaint patterns

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Saab 900, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 44
Total Complaints 549
Years Covered 1979–2000

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Saab 900, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Electrical

5 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1983–1984, 1987–1988, 1995

These campaigns relate to wiring or electrical components that can cause warning lights, loss of function, or fire risk in some cases.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 2 more notices in this theme

Fuel and emissions

5 campaigns · Years: 1980–1982, 1985–1987, 1989

These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.

Official notices (evidence):
  • 88V185000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  • 87V013000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  • 85V060000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
+ 2 more notices in this theme

Seats and restraints

5 campaigns · Years: 1981, 1994–1996

These campaigns relate to seats, belts, airbags restraint integration, or child restraint anchoring components.

Official notices (evidence):
+ 2 more notices in this theme

Steering and suspension

3 campaigns · Years: 1986, 1988, 1995

These campaigns relate to steering or suspension components that can affect vehicle control or stability.

Official notices (evidence):

Visibility and lighting

3 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1989, 1994–1998

These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).

Official notices (evidence):

Airbags

2 campaigns · Years: 1995, 1998

These campaigns relate to airbag system components and deployment/airbag readiness issues.

Official notices (evidence):

Other

2 campaigns · Years: 1979, 1994–1997

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

Powertrain

2 campaigns · Years: 1979–1980, 1994–1995

These campaigns relate to drivetrain or transmission components that can affect shifting, power delivery, or control.

Official notices (evidence):

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Saab 900 in NHTSA complaint data are Power train:manual transmission, Vehicle speed control, Air bags:frontal.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year Recalls Complaints Details
2000 0 1 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Tires:sidewall.
1999 0 4 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:ignition:switch, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl).
1998 3 26 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Air bags, Exterior lighting:turn signal:flasher unit.
1997 3 27 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seats:front assembly:power adjust, Power train:clutch assembly, Air bags.
1996 3 78 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:manual transmission, Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery, Air bags.
1995 7 159 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Power train:manual transmission, Electrical system, Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
1994 8 88 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Power train:manual transmission, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.
1993 0 8 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Structure:body:door, Air bags:frontal, Electrical system:wiring.
1992 0 25 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal, Engine and engine cooling:engine, Tires.
1991 0 15 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Air bags.
1990 0 21 Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Engine and engine cooling:engine.
1989 2 34 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Seat belts, Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator.
1988 2 18 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable, Power train, Electrical system:ignition.
1987 2 12 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor, Tires:sidewall, Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:interior.
1986 2 18 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system, Electrical system:wiring, Engine and engine cooling:cooling system.
1985 1 5 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring, Power train:automatic transmission, Electrical system:wiring:front underhood.
1984 1 4 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:wiring:front underhood, Electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator, Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump.
1983 1 2 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control, Power train:automatic transmission.
1982 1 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Air bags:frontal.
1981 2 1 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline.
1980 2 0 Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1979 4 2 Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm, Seat belts:front:retractor.

What to Do Next

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Fuel system , Exterior lighting and Electrical system

Show recall evidence by year

1998

  • Air bags: Frontal: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (01V222000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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. Most of these inadvertent deployments have occurred in cooler, dry weather, and have generally included dusti
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V038000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."
  • Equipment: Labels: Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V139000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1997

  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V046000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V038000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."
  • Equipment: Labels: Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V139000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1996

  • Seat belts: Anchorage: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V077000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: During static testing of belt anchorage points, the outboard attachment plate being used in the testing deformed and detached from the seat anchorage. This does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies" and no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages."
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V046000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V038000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1995

  • Air bags: Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (02V308000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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. Due to the poss
  • Seats: Recliner: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V226000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.
  • Electrical system: Module: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V066000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Power train: Manual transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V068000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (96V008000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The steering column shaft was incorrectly installed in the vehicle causing the column to be out of alignment.
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V046000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V038000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1994

  • Service brakes, hydraulic: Disc: Safety recall involving the service brakes area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V074000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The original front brake discs and/or pads shields do not protect the assemblies from being coated with a layer of slush, road salt or water while driving in snow or heavy rain. This can result in a delay in braking action that increases normal stopping distance.
  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V110000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: A weld in the seat rails was not made, increasing the risk of fatigue cracks forming around the attachment bushings on the height adjustment mechanism, causing the possibility of the height adjuster breaking in a rear end collision and allowing the seat to fold backwards.
  • Seats: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V127000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Two trigger springs mounted to the fore/aft adjustment lever do not develop sufficient force to properly lock the seat rails. After the seat is adjusted, this does not allow the seat rail lock to properly engage, which can cause the seat to move in a sudden stop or collision.
  • Structure: Door: Safety recall involving the structure area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V174000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The two weld points in the rearward attachment bracket for the side impact protection beam in the rear door may be out of position. If the welds are out of position, the vehicles will not meet the requirements of fmvss 214, s5, "side door strength."
  • Seats: Recliner: Safety recall involving the seats area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (94V226000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.
  • Power train: Manual transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (95V068000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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.
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (97V046000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
  • Exterior lighting: Headlights: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (98V038000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: 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."

1989

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V185000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process.
  • Visibility: Defroster/defogger/hvac system: Safety recall involving the visibility area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (89V104000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Under certain conditions, a reverse current might flow through a wire cable between the air recirculation switch and a microswitch.

1988

  • Suspension: Lower arm: Safety recall involving the suspension area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V149000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Bolts used in the attachments of the front suspension system control arms may be defective.
  • Electrical system: Interior/under dash: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V173000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).

1987

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V013000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress.
  • Electrical system: Interior/under dash: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (88V173000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).

1986

  • Steering: Steering wheel/handle bar: Safety recall involving the steering area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (86V057000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The bolt in the upper steering column u-joint clamp may have been over torqued and may break. Consequence of defect: a broken u-joint clamp may allow the steering shaft to pull out of the joint and result in loss of steering control and possibly an accident.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (87V013000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress.

1985

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V060000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The flexible fuel hose may have been turned out of its normal position and have a sharp bend or twist near one of its fittings. Consequence of defect: this could lead to hose rupture, fuel leakage, and possibly a fire.

1984

  • Electrical system: Front underhood: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (85V036000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The electrical cable between the starter and the alternator can rub against the brake fluid pipe attached to the left inner wheelhouse in the engine compartment. Consequence of defect: rubbing will eventually damage the cable insulation and result in a short circuit which may cause a fire.

1983

  • Electrical system: Wiring: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (84V012000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The electrical cable between the starter and the alternator may rub against a brake line that is attached to the wheel well on the left side of the engine compartment.

1982

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (84V019000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Poor electrical connection at the fuel gauge transmitter may result in a stoppage of the fuel pump and engine stalling. In extreme cases, fuel vapor may leak from the fuel tank.

1981

  • Seat belts: Front: Safety recall involving the seat belts area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (81V147000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: There may be an insufficient permanent lubrication in the buckle/release mechanism of the type 2 seat belt assemblies. This may cause front seat occupants to have difficulty in fully fastening seat belts, although they may seem to be fully fastened.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel pump: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (84V019000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Poor electrical connection at the fuel gauge transmitter may result in a stoppage of the fuel pump and engine stalling. In extreme cases, fuel vapor may leak from the fuel tank.

1980

  • Fuel system, gasoline: Fuel injection system: Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (80V123000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The possibility exists that the mounting collar for the electric fuel pump, submerged in the fuel, could partially detach from the top of the tank and cause a fuel leak.
  • Power train: Automatic transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V068000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: A problem relating to the front exhaust pipe bracket attachment could cause leaking of transmission oil. Transmission could lock up due to lack of proper oil lubrication.

1979

  • Exterior lighting: High/low beam dimmer switch: Safety recall involving the exterior lighting area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V099000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The headlamp relay may fail in such a way as to cause the headlamps to fail to switch from low to high beam (or vice versa) when the control switch is operated. Also, the headlamps may shut off intermittently or completely.
  • Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V206000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: Under certain conditions such as ambient humidity and vehicle pre-conditioning by repeated cold start, and short trip driving cycles in combination with sub-zero temperatures, there exists the possibility for ice to form in the throttle housing and temporarily impede full closure of the throttle
  • Electrical system: Cables: Safety recall involving the electrical system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (79V230000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: The insulation of the positive battery cable may possibly melt or become brittle due to the high temperatures which may be generated in the vicinity of the cable.
  • Power train: Automatic transmission: Safety recall involving the power train area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
    View official NHTSA notice (83V068000) →
    Show official notice text
    Summary: A problem relating to the front exhaust pipe bracket attachment could cause leaking of transmission oil. Transmission could lock up due to lack of proper oil lubrication.

Other Saab Models

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov