The Saab 900 has 25 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1998. On average a defect was admitted 1.06 years after the car was built, the slowest took 7 years. The most recalled system is Electrical System (4 campaigns). Owners also filed 257 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Saab 900
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Electrical System 4 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Unexpected movement of the vehicle may cause the driver to lose control and increase the potential of a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will install a new revised electronic control module
What's wrong. Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only)
Risk. This could cause a short circuit; the resulting heatbuildup could cause smoke or a fire in the passenger compartment
Fix. Install rubber protective strips to sharp edges and completely encase wire harness in a protective plastic tube
What's wrong. Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only)
Risk. This could cause a short circuit; the resulting heatbuildup could cause smoke or a fire in the passenger compartment
Fix. Install rubber protective strips to sharp edges and completely encase wire harness in a protective plastic tube
Fuel System, Gasoline 4 Read
What's wrong. Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process
Risk. Fuel filter may leak creating a potential fire hazard
Fix. Replace fuel filter
What's wrong. The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress
Risk. This could result in a fuel leak and possibly a fire
Fix. Replace fuel hose with new preformed plastic hose
What's wrong. The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress
Risk. This could result in a fuel leak and possibly a fire
Fix. Replace fuel hose with new preformed plastic hose
Seats 3 Read
What's wrong. One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner
Risk. This can result in a seat back falling backwards under a load
Fix. 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
What's wrong. One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner
Risk. This can result in a seat back falling backwards under a load
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This can increase the possibility of injury to a seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or accident
Fix. 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
Air Bags 2 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment. Most of these inadvertent deployments have occurred in cooler, dry weather, and have generally included dusting or wiping of the dashboard, starting the car, or closing the door
Risk. Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury
Fix. Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap. Owner notification began september 24, 2001. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. 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
Fix. 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
Seat Belts 2 Read
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: the belt may not latch properly increasing the risk of injury to an occupant should a vehicle crash occur
Fix. 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
What's wrong. There may be an insufficient permanent lubrication in the buckle/release mechanism of the type 2 seat belt assemblies. This may cause front seat occupants to have difficulty in fully fastening seat belts, although they may seem to be fully fastened
Fix. A special wax lubricant will be sprayed into the buckle receptacle slot to remedy defect and prevent reoccurance. This will be done without charge to owner
Steering 2 Read
What's wrong. The steering column shaft was incorrectly installed in the vehicle causing the column to be out of alignment
Risk. If misaligned, an aluminum connecting piece can fail due to fatigue, resulting in a loss of steering control and an accident
Fix. 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
What's wrong. The bolt in the upper steering column u-joint clamp may have been over torqued and may break. Consequence of defect: a broken u-joint clamp may allow the steering shaft to pull out of the joint and result in loss of steering control and possibly an accident
Fix. Replace and properly torque bolt
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights
Fix. 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
Equipment 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk. The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts
Fix. Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk. The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts
Fix. Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them
Vehicle Speed Control 1 Read
What's wrong. Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt
What's wrong. Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt
What's wrong. Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. If the parking brake is not applied, the car can roll from its original parked position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. If the parking brake is not applied, the car can roll from its original parked position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident
Fix. 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
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 1.06 years |
| Slowest campaign | 7 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 2.8% |
| Campaigns on record | 25 |
Which 900 years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Air Bags | |
| 1997 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1996 | Seat Belts | |
| 1995 | Air Bags | |
| 1994 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Suspension | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Steering | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Electrical System | |
| 1983 | Electrical System | |
| 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1981 | Seat Belts |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Saab 900 have?
25 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1998. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my 900 still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 1.06 years, and the slowest campaign came 7 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.