1996 Saab 900: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (19% of complaints); the 1997 and 1998 model years look more trouble-free.
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 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Passenger airbag deployed for no reason while driving car, no warning lights on dashboard, no impact, no precipitating event occured”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2024
“Driving smoothly at 50 mph in 1996 saab 900 se turbo, 99k miles. Engine rpm suddenly but smoothly drops to zero and stopped in a very unsafe place on the highway. Car would not re-start. Absolutely no faults of any kind occurred during the months leading up to this incident. This car's direct ignition cassette was replaced once already in jan. 2000 by the previous owner. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2005
“While driving ball bearrings exploded in the lower engine. Consumer heard a loud boom. The vehicle was full of clean oil. Consumer contacted the maufacturer and the dealer. Vehicle is currently at dealer. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2004
Show 7 more owner reports
“Prior to di failure, starting impairment and misfires detected with cel. Upon failure, car would not run and steering was lost. To correct failure, new di was fitted after it was broken. Symptoms should have been reason enough to change it early. *nm”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2003
“When the rear passenger door was opened front passenger side air bag deployed, and smoke entered the passenger's cabin. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2003
“In june 2003, a crack was discovered in the fuel tank of my 1996 saab 900s. The tank was replaced. On 28 july 2004, the replacement tank was discovered to have a leak and was replaced. On 1 september 2005, the second replacement tank was diagnosed as leaking.*jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2003
“On april 27, 2003, my saab 900 se had an electrical failure while driving within a minute had completely destroyed the car. The "check battery" light came on along with the hazard light. My wife was driving the car in heavy traffic and just escaped the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. The police had to call me to get the license plate number and VIN, as they had melted. The car had 72,000 miles and had been checked twice in the past year. Just months before it had been completely inspected. The car was in show room condition. *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2003
“Odometer fraud. The advertised mileage was 55,000 but the carfax reported the mileage at 150,000 miles over a year ago. I reported it to the dealer, took back my deposit and gave back the car. They informed me they already had another buyer for the car and are still advertising it with 55,000 miles. *jb”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2003
“While driving heard a raddling noise, had it checked out. Main front left spring had fractured. Spring replacement, 44 83-178.contacted dealer.*ak”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2002
“Will not shift into first, fifth, or reverse. Key cannot be removed since it will not shift into reverse. Saab has refused to pay for repair.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2002
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES FOR THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. ANY ASSEMBLY WITH DATE YEAR 96 WEEK 10 DAY 2 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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 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 1996 Saab 900 reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Saab 900. The most complained-about area is electrical system (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Saab 900 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 99,500 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Saab 900 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:anchorage. 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.