NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
19 reportsClear category filter60,137 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…
Read full complaint
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 …
Read full complaint
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
130,500 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Electrical System
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 95V066000 CONCERNING IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER STARTING UP. THE MOTOR WAS IDLING HIGH AND THE RPMS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER F…
Read full complaint
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 95V066000 CONCERNING IGNITION MODULE FAILURE. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS AFTER STARTING UP. THE MOTOR WAS IDLING HIGH AND THE RPMS WERE ALL OVER THE PLACE. HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE OWNER DID STOP BY AND SAW IF HER CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND IT WAS NOT. WANTED TO WAIT TO AND SEE IF NHTSA OR SABB EXPANDED THE RECALL BEFORE SHE HAD IT CHECKED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10130790
59,250 miles · Sep 1, 2004
Electrical System
RECALL 95V066000 CONCERNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. DUE TO THE VIN THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT BECAUSE THE …
Read full complaint
RECALL 95V066000 CONCERNING ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. DUE TO THE VIN THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL REPAIRS. HOWEVER, BASED ON THE SYMPTOMS IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DEFECT THIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL INFORMATION DID NOT APPEAR ON THE SAAB WEB PAGE THEY WILL NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10090195
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2003
Electrical System
1995 SAAB 900 SE STALLS UPON COLD START AND ALSO CUTS OFF (STALLS) WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS TOTALLY TUNED AND ALL THROTTLE, FUEL INJECTORS ARE CLEAN ETC. I CONTACTED DEALER AND SAAB WEB-SITE TO INQUIRE ABOUT RECALL 95V066000 BUT I WAS TOLD THIS WAS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10025197
43,000 miles · Feb 25, 2003
Electrical System
THE ALTERNATOR FROZE, WHICH CAUSED THE TIMING BELT TO BREAK.*JB *TS
NHTSA ODI #10009289
Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2002
Air BagsElectrical SystemInterior Lighting
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS ARE CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND NOTHING WAS REMEDIED. MAIN COMPUTER MAY BE THE REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION. ALSO, BRAKES ARE FAILING AND AIRBAGS DO NOT WORK. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8005444
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2002
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFire
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 …
Read full complaint
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. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #758837
Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Electrical SystemPower TrainFire
CLUTCH BECAME INOPERABLE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. ALSO, THERE WAS A SMALL COMPARTMENT FIRE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #8003217
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2000
Electrical SystemFire
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 …
Read full complaint
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. THEY SHOULD PROVIDE ME WITH A NEW REPLACEMENT AND HAVE THEIR ENGINEERS GO THROUGH TO FIND OUT CAUSE AND MAKE REMEDIES. WHY DOES IT TAKE A LOSS OF LIFE TO GET ACTION? MY DEALERSHIP PEOPLE MENTIONED THAT THIS IS THE 4TH ELECTRICAL HARNESS THAT HAS NEEDED REPLACING AND THIS IN ONLY ONE DEALER. I KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST FIRE THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS SEEN. DO THE PUBLIC A SERVICE AND TAKE SAAB TO TASK. AS MY NEW WEB PAGE STATES, A FIRE SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I CAN ONLY THINK YOU WILL AGREE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #721453
Official recalls
7Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗