The most-reported 900 run is YS3DD35B9S2 (1995 builds) with 4 complaints, 3.3× the typical run. Power train problems make up 17% of reports; 1995 is the worst model year at 1.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 25 recall campaigns for 900 model years 1981–1998.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Saab 900 has 220 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every 900 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YS3DD35B9S2•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| YS3DD55B6S2•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| YS3DD58B9T2•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| YS3DF58V4S2•••••• | 1995 | 1 | — | |
| YS3DF75N1W7•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| YS3DN35N9R2•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| YS3DM58V6R2•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| YS3DD55B8S2•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| YS3DM55V4R2•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| YS3DM58V8R2•••••• | 1994 | — | — | |
| YS3DD58B9S2•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| YS3DD55B3S2•••••• | 1995 | — | — |
Each of the other 208 900 runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Saab 900 the gap between build years is 1.4×: a 1995 car draws 1.4 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 20 | 17 | — | |
| 1997 | 13 | 12 | — | |
| 1996 | 33 | 28 | — | |
| 1995 | 80 | 59 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 35 | 30 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 4 | 4 | 1 | |
| 1992 | 14 | 13 | 1 | |
| 1991 | 8 | 8 | — | |
| 1990 | 16 | 16 | 4 | |
| 1989 | 14 | 14 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 8 | 8 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 1985 | 3 | 3 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1995 at 1.4 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Saab 900 owners report: Power Train, 41 of 257 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | 9 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 5 | 1 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 25 recall campaigns on the Saab 900; the 6 below cover build years 1987 to 1998. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 98V038000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1994–1998 |
| 97V046000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1994–1997 |
| 98V139000 | Equipment:other:labels | 1997–1998 |
| 95V068000 | Power Train:manual Transmission | 1994–1995 |
| 94V226000 | Seats:front Assembly:recliner | 1994–1995 |
| 88V173000 | Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash | 1987–1988 |
98V038000 was opened in 1998 on cars built from 1994: 4 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
Of the 257 reports on the Saab 900, 6.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Saab 900 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 257 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 17 (6.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 12 (4.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Saab 900 share of that is 257 complaints over 220 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Saab 900 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 257 NHTSA complaints from 220 900 runs and 25 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which 900 production run has the most complaints?
YS3DD35B9S2, a 1995 build, with 4 complaints. The typical 900 run has 1.2.
Which 900 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1995 is heaviest at 1.4 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
How many 900 complaints involve a crash?
6.6% of 257 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 12 involved a fire.
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