1994 Saab 9000: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 14 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 1999
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 14 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 saab 9000 cse. The contact stated that while traveling 15-20 mph, the driver side air bag deployed erroneously. The failure caused injuries to the contact's head, leg and shoulders. The police were contacted and a report was filed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 173,899.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2012
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 saab 9000. The contact noticed that the dashboard was cracked and had other unsightly damage. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection and they stated that the top surface of the dashboard needed to be replaced. The repair cost was estimated at $750. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 178,000.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1994 saab 9000. The contact attempted to start the vehicle, but it failed to engage. He pushed the vehicle to the mechanic who diagnosed the cause of failure as the ignition module. The contact believes his vehicle should be a part of recall # 05v399000 (electrical system:ignition:module). The VIN, engine size, and # of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 210,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2007
Show 7 more owner reports
“Srs light came on within 1 day spontaneous driver side air bag deployed at hwy. Speed, able to get car to shoulder slight burns inside right forearm, clear and dry day. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2007
“Consumer received NHTSA recall 99v109000 concerning air bag module. After having the ecm replaced and installed a cover over the ecm srs light appeared on the dashboard. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The cause had not been determined. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2004
“Consumer applied brakes at 55-60 mph, there was a loud noise and pedal went to the floor. Dealer determined that brake line was crushed due to engine movement.*ak”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2002
“Consumer noticed a gasoline odor in back of vehicle along with a sudden loss of fuel, dealer replaced the fuel pump sender assembly, dealer stated this failure could have caused an explosion. *slc”Owner report · Fuel System, Other · Jan 2001
“This is the second time for the same pulley/ball bearing to fail. It first happened during the third year of operation; approx 30 000 miles. I'm stationed in vienna, austria.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 1999
“The heater core was found leaking. Anti-freeze was found on both the passenger and driver side floor, but could not determine the exact cause. The problem was confirmed this week when the car was taken to the dealer for check up. I was told this was a common problem among saab, and it is not covered by major component warranty. A car only 5 year old should not have this problem.”Owner report · Visibility · Jan 1999
“The defective throttle system froze in an open postion, causing the vehicle to speed up to 75 mph. The occupant pressed the brakes and emergency parking brake to stop the vehicle. Dealer is replacing the throttle housing unit. *ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 1998
When filing, owners marked a crash in 0 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
ONE OF THE BULBS IN EACH OF THE BRAKE LIGHT LOWER OUTBOARD LAMP ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY WIRED, RESULTING IN IMPROPER TAIL LIGHT ILLUMINATION ON BRAKE APPLICATION. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE BRAKE LIGHT OUTBOARD LAMP ASSEMBLIES TO MEET FMVSS REQUIREMENTS.
MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
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 9000 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 9000 reliable?
NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1994 Saab 9000. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 1994 Saab 9000 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive. 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.