IllustrationDRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. REPLACED BOTH DRIVER- & PASSENGER-SIDE CONTROL ARMS AS PRECAUTION. MECHANIC HAS PART & SPECULATES DESIGN DEFECT; HAS ONE FROM ANOTHER SAAB HANGING ON WALL AS SOUVENIR! CONTACT PETER'S ZAAB SERVICE, 415.456.0540.*AK
1989 Saab 900
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 900 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 22 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
Suspension complaints
4 reportsTHE DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IS COMMON BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT COMMON. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEND. MAJO…
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THE DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IS COMMON BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT COMMON. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEND. MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS, SUCH AS THE FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SHOULD NOT BREAK. *AK
VEHICLE PARKED IN GARAGE , GOT IN CAR STARTED TO BACK UP AND THE BODY FELL ON THE WHEEL WELL. LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME. THE WELD WAS THE ACTUAL FRACTURE POINT. *AK
WHILE DRIVING, LOWER ARM BROKE, CAUSED VEHICLE TO LURCH TO ONE SIDE, VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE; SPEED 5 MPH; FEW MINUTES BEFORE, WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, NO ACCIDENT. *AK
Official recalls
289V104000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Jun 27, 1989
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A REVERSE CURRENT MIGHT FLOW THROUGH A WIRE CABLE BETWEEN THE AIR RECIRCULATION SWITCH AND A MICROSWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: HEATER FAN RESISTOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND SMOKE IN THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT HEATING SYSTEM, CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND BREATHING HAZARDSTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
Remedy: DISCONNECT ELECTRICAL WIRE CABLE AND SECURE BY TAPE AROUND CABLE HARNESS.
88V185000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 28, 1988
FUEL FILTER MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATION CONCERNING LEAKAGE CRITERIA DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURE DURING THE GLUING PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL FILTER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.