The Saab 9000 has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1987–1998. On average a defect was admitted 1.7 years after the car was built, the slowest took 7 years. The most recalled system is Exterior Lighting (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 101 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Saab 9000
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.
Exterior Lighting 2 Read
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: improper illumination of brake lights during brake application may not signal following drivers of the operator's intent to slow or stop and could result in a vehicle collision
Fix. Dealers will modify the brake light outboard lamp assemblies to meet fmvss requirements
What's wrong. A number of brake light switches have an oval-shaped piston which can get stuck under certain conditions. Other switches were mounted so that both locking tabs are not completely engaged in the mounting bracket. If one side is not engaged, the switch is misaligned with the pedal mechanism and can bind the piston movement, which can cause the brake light switch to stick in the "off" or "on" position
Risk. This results in either the brake lights remaining on constantly or the brake lights not illuminating when the brakes are applied. This results in inaccurate signals of brake operation to other vehicle operators, and could result in an accident
Fix. Dealers will inspect brake light switches. For vehicles with the oval-shaped piston and for vehicles with misaligned brake light switches, the brake light switch will be replaced
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 Read
What's wrong. Moisture can follow the electrical harness and enter the pressure switch connector causing corrosion and malfunction of the switch
Risk. The corrosion causes a deterioration of the electricalswitch connection and can result in false illumination of ABS and/or the brake warning lights and/or the loss of power assistance because of no hydraulic pumpoperation. Loss of power assist increases the driver's brake pedal effort required for stopping which can…
Fix. 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
What's wrong. Moisture can follow the electrical harness and enter the pressure switch connector causing corrosion and malfunction of the switch
Risk. The corrosion causes a deterioration of the electricalswitch connection and can result in false illumination of ABS and/or the brake warning lights and/or the loss of power assistance because of no hydraulic pumpoperation. Loss of power assist increases the driver's brake pedal effort required for stopping which can…
Fix. 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
What's wrong. Moisture can follow the electrical harness and enter the pressure switch connector causing corrosion and malfunction of the switch
Risk. The corrosion causes a deterioration of the electricalswitch connection and can result in false illumination of ABS and/or the brake warning lights and/or the loss of power assistance because of no hydraulic pumpoperation. Loss of power assist increases the driver's brake pedal effort required for stopping which can…
Fix. 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
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 Read
What's wrong. The fuel filler and tank ventilation hoses may develop cracks under the securing hose clamps, resulting in fuel leakage
Risk. Fuel leaks may result in a fire if an ignition sourceis present
Fix. The fuel filler and fuel ventilation hoses will be replaced with new hoses. The five securing hose clamps will be replaced by a new type with a shield that prevents damage to the hose when tightened
What's wrong. The fuel filler and tank ventilation hoses may develop cracks under the securing hose clamps, resulting in fuel leakage
Risk. Fuel leaks may result in a fire if an ignition sourceis present
Fix. The fuel filler and fuel ventilation hoses will be replaced with new hoses. The five securing hose clamps will be replaced by a new type with a shield that prevents damage to the hose when tightened
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
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
Air Bags 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This corrosion can possibly create open connections in circuits which control the restraint deployment, possibly causing inadvertent air bag deployment
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This corrosion can possibly create open connections in circuits which control the restraint deployment, possibly causing inadvertent air bag deployment
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This corrosion can possibly create open connections in circuits which control the restraint deployment, possibly causing inadvertent air bag deployment
Fix. 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
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Oil leaking on these hot engine surfaces can ignite and cause a vehicular fire
Fix. Dealers will install a protective cover which will protect the cooler and hoses from other structural components in low energy front impacts
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Oil leaking on these hot engine surfaces can ignite and cause a vehicular fire
Fix. Dealers will install a protective cover which will protect the cooler and hoses from other structural components in low energy front impacts
What's wrong. 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
Risk. Oil leaking on these hot engine surfaces can ignite and cause a vehicular fire
Fix. Dealers will install a protective cover which will protect the cooler and hoses from other structural components in low energy front impacts
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. Improper assembly could cause the ball of the gear selector arm not to be properly fixed to the socket on the end of the gear selector cable; gear selector arm could separate from the gear selector cable at the ball socket joint
Risk. The gear position could not be selected or determinedusing the selector lever; car could be started in gear other than park orneutral, resulting in sudden unexpected vehicle movement
Fix. Properly seat gear selector arm ball in the selector cable socket and secure by a lock ring inside the socket
Electrical System 1 Read
What's wrong. Abrasion on the printed circuit card in the combination neutral safety/backup lamp switch operated by the automatic transmission gear selector may cause residue to collect in electrical area on the circuit card
Risk. This could cause overheating of the switch assembly withsmoke and possibly a fire in the center console area
Fix. Add an electrical circuit, including a relay, to the backup lamp circuit to reduce the current that can flow through the combination switch
What's wrong. Abrasion on the printed circuit card in the combination neutral safety/backup lamp switch operated by the automatic transmission gear selector may cause residue to collect in electrical area on the circuit card
Risk. This could cause overheating of the switch assembly withsmoke and possibly a fire in the center console area
Fix. Add an electrical circuit, including a relay, to the backup lamp circuit to reduce the current that can flow through the combination switch
What's wrong. Abrasion on the printed circuit card in the combination neutral safety/backup lamp switch operated by the automatic transmission gear selector may cause residue to collect in electrical area on the circuit card
Risk. This could cause overheating of the switch assembly withsmoke and possibly a fire in the center console area
Fix. Add an electrical circuit, including a relay, to the backup lamp circuit to reduce the current that can flow through the combination switch
Vehicle Speed Control 1 Read
What's wrong. The ball chain between the cruise control vacuum regulator and the accelerator pedal arm may catch on the vacuum regulator attachment clip
Risk. If the chain gets caught the throttle could be preventedfrom returning to fully closed position when the accelerator pedal is released
Fix. A plastic cap will be installed over the vacuum regulator clip to cover the openings
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 | 1.7 years |
| Slowest campaign | 7 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 13% |
| Campaigns on record | 12 |
Which 9000 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 | Equipment | |
| 1997 | Equipment | |
| 1994 | Exterior Lighting | |
| 1993 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1992 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1991 | Power Train | |
| 1990 | Electrical System | |
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1987 | Electrical System |
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 9000 have?
12 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1987–1998. 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 9000 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 1.7 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.