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1995 Saab 900

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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: 22 of 100 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

100 reports
117,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA ODI #10456948

160,785 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT AND IMMEDIATELY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT AND IMMEDIATELY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,785 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 161,292. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10347824

130,000 miles · May 14, 2009
Suspension

1995 SAAB 900 LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. THE BOTTOM HALF OF A TURN BROKE OFF AT A SHALLOW ANGLE SOME TIME AGO. THE BROKEN OFF SECTION STAYED IN THE RING AROUND THE STRUT AND MADE A LOUD THIN METAL RATTLE. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING IMPORTANT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268755

130,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE WHILE THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN NEUTRAL. HE CAN ALSO ACCIDENTALLY DISENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED I…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE WHILE THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN NEUTRAL. HE CAN ALSO ACCIDENTALLY DISENGAGE THE REVERSE GEAR BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 10-30-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR BOX WAS BAD. UPDATED 10/31/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10242290

80,000 miles · Aug 18, 2008
Air Bags

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10238763

150 miles · Sep 26, 2007
Power TrainCrash

TL*THE 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, HOWE…

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TL*THE 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 *BF 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 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10204132

151,000 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE GEAR REPAIRED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL # 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE GEAR REPAIRED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT FOUND RECALL # 95V068000 (POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT HELP. THE CONTACT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 151,000. THE CONSUMER STATED RECEIVED A TICKET AND SUMMONS FOR PARKING ON THE SIDEWALK, THE CONSUMER STATED THE CAR BEHIND HIM TAPPED HIS CAR AND THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED ONTO THE SIDEWALK. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE RECALL PERTAINING TO HIS DEFECT, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE VIN NUMBER DOES NOT APPLY TO THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/18/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192746

76,000 miles · Dec 21, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED SAAB USA AT 1-800-955-9007 AND SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR LEMONT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SAAB DOES NOT COVER COSTS INVOLVED IN REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN BUT ONLY FOR THE BELT AT VERY SPECIFIC MILEAGE POINTS AS TO…

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CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED SAAB USA AT 1-800-955-9007 AND SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR LEMONT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SAAB DOES NOT COVER COSTS INVOLVED IN REPLACEMENT OF TIMING CHAIN BUT ONLY FOR THE BELT AT VERY SPECIFIC MILEAGE POINTS AS TO THE HISTORY OF WIDESPREAD BREAKAGE AND SAFETY PROBLEMS AND SUBSEQUENT COSTLY DAMAGE TO ENGINES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10176735

60,137 miles · Apr 30, 2006
Electrical System

WE WERE DRIVING ON I-680, HERE IN OMAHA, WHEN WE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EVERYTHING WENT DARK FOR A SECOND AND THEN STARTED UP AGAIN. A FEW SECONDS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME WE DID NOT REGAIN POWER AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE ODD THING IS THAT, ALTHOUGH WE HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, NO LIGHTS AND SEEMINGLY NO P…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON I-680, HERE IN OMAHA, WHEN WE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. EVERYTHING WENT DARK FOR A SECOND AND THEN STARTED UP AGAIN. A FEW SECONDS LATER IT DID IT AGAIN, THIS TIME WE DID NOT REGAIN POWER AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE ODD THING IS THAT, ALTHOUGH WE HAD NO ABILITY TO ACCELERATE, NO LIGHTS AND SEEMINGLY NO POWER AT ALL, WE STILL LUCKILY HAD POWER STEERING SO WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OF THE INTERSTATE SAFELY. I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF AND RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE. WE WERE NOT FAR FROM HOME AND WE DID NOT HAVE FURTHER INSTANCES LIKE THIS UNTIL WE GOT THERE. WE WERE BOTH VERY SCARED BUT GLAD THAT THE POWER LOSS DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10156453

9,732 miles · Nov 15, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

TIMING BELT ON 1995 SAAB BROKE DESTROYING THE ENGINE. *TS 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 …

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TIMING BELT ON 1995 SAAB BROKE DESTROYING THE ENGINE. *TS 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. THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE BELTS, MAIN DRIVE BELT, MUFFLER, WATER PUMP, FLEX PIPE, COMPRESSOR, TIRES, FRONT PADS AND ROTORS, VALVE, AIR VALVE, HEAD LIGHT, SPARK PLUGS, ENGINE FILTERS, DE ICE SWITCH, EVAPORATOR CORE, BRAKE LIGHT, BATTERY, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE ALL REPLACED. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10144254

Official recalls

7

02V308000 · Air Bags

Nov 14, 2002

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 POSSIBLE INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE BOTTOM OF AN ELECTROLYTE CAPACITOR, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR IT TO LEAK ELECTROLYTE WITHIN THE AIR BAG ECU. ALSO, IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS, THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CAN CAUSE RAPID COOLING OF THE ECU, WHICH IN TURN MAY CAUSE THE FORMATION OF CONDENSATION WITH THE UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.

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 REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

98V038000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Feb 24, 1998

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

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.

97V046000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Mar 21, 1997

CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS BINDING CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.

96V008000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Jan 23, 1996

THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE COLUMN TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF MISALIGNED, AN ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE CAN FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

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.

95V066000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Mar 29, 1995

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REVISED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

95V068000 · Power Train:manual Transmission

Mar 29, 1995

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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 ENGAGED.

94V226000 · Seats:front Assembly:recliner

Nov 18, 1994

ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.

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.

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

2

DP00008 · Defective Water Pump Pulley

Opened Sep 25, 2000 · Closed Nov 19, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

a

SQ98018 · New Wheel Bolts

Opened Oct 9, 1998 · Closed Oct 27, 1998

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Wheels

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.