1997 SAAB 900 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
27
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
8
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1997 SAAB 900
The 1997 SAAB 900 has received a total of 27 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 8 technical service bulletins have been issued by SAAB CARS USA, INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (2 complaints), Power Trainclutch Assembly (2 complaints), and Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 SAAB 900
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 SAAB 900, potentially affecting up to 184,318 vehicles.
Recall 98V139000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 39,313 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 98V038000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 92,505 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
Consequence: IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 97V046000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 52,500 vehicles affected
Defect: CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 SAAB 900
27 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 SAAB 900. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Trainclutch Assembly | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionmodule | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionswitch | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipmentelectricalradiotape Deckcd Etc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlightsconcealment Devices | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assist | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebodydoor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Controlcables | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywindshield | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR
MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR
MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1997 SAAB 900
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 SAAB 900 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 SAAB 900
SAAB CARS USA, INC. has issued 8 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1997 SAAB 900. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
8112156 — STRUCTURE
SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT IRRITATING ROAD AND WIND NOISE PENETRATING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE COVER AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. *TT
231 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ADDRESSING ENGINE NOISE COMPLAINTS. *YC
8111859 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
COMPLAINTS OF WEAR MARKS ON SOFT-TOP CLOTH. *YC
8111951 — STRUCTURE:BODY
HEADLINING FASTENS TO THE FRONT SIDE RAILS. *YC
3911968 — INTERIOR LIGHTING
SUBJECT ON INTERIOR LIGHTING NOT WORKING SATISFACTORILY ON VEHICLES FROM VIN V2039303 TO VIN V2043433. *YC
931 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CD PLAYER LOCKING UP/RADIO WILL NOT POWER UP ON NEW STYLE 900 MODELS. *JD
211 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TEMPERATURE SENDING UNITS FOR REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEADS FOR VEHICLES WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. *JD
01/970732 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
LOOSENING REAR WINDOW RUBBER MOLDING. *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 SAAB 900
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 900
- 1992 SAAB 900 — 25 complaints
- 1993 SAAB 900 — 8 complaints
- 1994 SAAB 900 — 88 complaints
- 1995 SAAB 900 — 159 complaints
- 1996 SAAB 900 — 78 complaints
- 1997 SAAB 900 (current)
- 1998 SAAB 900 — 26 complaints
- 1999 SAAB 900 — 4 complaints
- 2000 SAAB 900 — 1 complaint