1994 Saab 900: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 44 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving on the dan ryan expressway at 3:00 p.m. On 4/30/04, I heard a pop and I thought a belt snapped, my car, a 1994 saab s, jerked, it was difficult to gain control. I smelled burning rubber. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a tire role from east to west on the expressway. I thought I ran over it. Further down the road a person on another car told me I didn't have a tire on the passenger side of the car in the rear. When I pulled off the expressay I saw the tire was missing. The middle of the tire had pulled away from the sides. The sides of the tire were left on the wheel. *ak”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2004
“Vehicle stalled in traffic due to engine failure.*mr the gasket surrounding the timing belt cover became tangled with the timing belt which caused the vehicle not to start.*ts *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2003
“A fire started in the passenger side dash of the car, in a rapid sequence of events the windshield cracked, the passenger air bag deployed and thick smoke engulfed the interior of the vehicle, as the driver exited the vehicle the drivers side air bag deployed adding to the flames, the vehicle was totaled. Nlm”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2001
Show 7 more owner reports
“Due to a defective timing chain while driving the vehicle the engine seized which may have caused a crash. There was a safety campaign which the owner was unaware. There a newly design for the timing belt. Please provide further information.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2000
“Recall 95 v 068 000/transmission manual: vehicle operated in reverse intermittently. Dealer notified, and informed consume rthat vehicle was not cover under recall. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · May 2000
“Driving in outside lane of highway -- total, sudden failure of electrical system -- everything stopped working at once (including 4-way flashers, wipers. Lights etc.) -- positive battery cable had corroded -- but the same cable was replaced the year before due to similar, slight intermittent problems with it (engine "catching" tape player ejecting, cd going on "code" clock zeroing, etc.). This is very dangerous.*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2000
“Serpentine belt pulleys broke off twice, in the last few thousand miles, causing destruction of brand new serpentine belts, loss of steering control, loss of heating and air conditioning, loss of battery charge, and overheating. The most recent incident, in which another pulley broke off the system could have caused death, given that the incident occured up north, and the temperature outside was well below freezing. Luckily, a dunkin donuts restaurant was on hand within walking distance of the car's failure.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1999
“Engine timing belt went out, and causing the engine to stall unexpectedly which may have resulted in a crash. Please provide further information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1999
“When applying brakes on wet pavement there is no reponse for a few seconds, then the brakes will engage. Consumer states there is a recall regarding this problem, however his VIN is not included, consumer feels his vehicle should be included in the recall. *slc”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 1999
“Saab provided dealers/mechanics with a technical service bulletin about this problem, but neglected to provide consumers with a safety recall. What could have been a free, 30 minute repair resulted in over $600, 2 days of repairs, and a dangerous situation in which my engine nearly burned out.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1999
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUPPORT BRACKETS AT THE SUPPORT WELD LOCATIONS.
ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.
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.
CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT FRAME RAILS.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE TWO SPRINGS ON EACH SEAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW SPRINGS WITH PROPER TENSION TO ENSURE PROPER ENGAGEMENT.
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."
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKE SHIELDS WITH A NEW DESIGN. AN ADDITIONAL HOLE WILL BE DRILLED IN THE STEERING KING PIN HOUSING TO ATTACH A LARGER COVER PLATE. A SMALLER PROTECTION PLATE WILL ALSO BE ATTACHED TO THE EXISTING TWO BOLTS IN THE HUB.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1994 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 900 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1994 Saab 900 reliable?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Saab 900. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1994 Saab 900 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 1994 Saab 900 have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning structure:body:door. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.