1988 SAAB 900 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
18
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1988 SAAB 900
The 1988 SAAB 900 has received a total of 18 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. The most commonly reported problems involve the Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable (2 complaints), Power Train (2 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1988 SAAB 900
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1988 SAAB 900, potentially affecting up to 73,000 vehicles.
Recall 88V173000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
| 70,000 vehicles affected
Defect: WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.
View full details →Recall 88V149000 — SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
| 3,000 vehicles affected
Defect: BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Consequence: IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS SHOULD FAIL, LOWERFRONT CONTROL ARM COULD COME LOOSE LEADING TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AFRONT WHEEL.
Remedy: REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1988 SAAB 900
18 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1988 SAAB 900. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemwiring | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontretractor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringlinkagesarmidler And Attachment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemfanmotor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO SHOCK, WHEEL BEARING AND C.V. JOINT. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT ANCHORING BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO SEAT BASE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ATTACHMENT BOLT. ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE ON MOST PRE-1990 MODELS AS STATED BY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SAAB REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE GEARING MECHANISM WITHIN THE ODOMETER.
DRIVER'S SEAT ANCHORING BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO SEAT BASE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ATTACHMENT BOLT. ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE ON MOST PRE-1990 MODELS AS STATED BY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SAAB REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE GEARING MECHANISM WITHIN THE ODOMETER.
MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS ARE DEFECTIVE. SOMETIMES THEY DON'T ENGAGE, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T RELEASE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND I FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK.
THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS DON'T RETRACT. DEALER HAS A FIX. *AK
View all Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1988 SAAB 900
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1988 SAAB 900 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1988 SAAB 900
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1988 SAAB 900
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1988 SAAB 900.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 900
- 1983 SAAB 900 — 2 complaints
- 1984 SAAB 900 — 4 complaints
- 1985 SAAB 900 — 5 complaints
- 1986 SAAB 900 — 18 complaints
- 1987 SAAB 900 — 12 complaints
- 1988 SAAB 900 (current)
- 1989 SAAB 900 — 34 complaints
- 1990 SAAB 900 — 21 complaints
- 1991 SAAB 900 — 15 complaints
- 1992 SAAB 900 — 25 complaints
- 1993 SAAB 900 — 8 complaints