1998 SAAB 900 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
26
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
9
Service Bulletins
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 SAAB 900
The 1998 SAAB 900 has received a total of 26 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by SAAB CARS USA, INC. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bagsfrontal (7 complaints), Air Bags (5 complaints), and Electrical Systemignition (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 SAAB 900
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1998 SAAB 900, potentially affecting up to 143,854 vehicles.
Recall 01V222000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
| 12,036 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →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 →Owner Complaints for the 1998 SAAB 900
26 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 SAAB 900. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bagsfrontal | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignition | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssidewindow | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical Systemignitionmodule | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmissioncolumn Shift Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seatsfront Assemblypower Adjust | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringlinkagesknucklespindlearm | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheelsrim | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
CAR STARTED AND DRIVEN APPROX 50 YARDS AND THEN CAME TO TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STOPPED. DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE SRS LIGHT ON THE DISPLAY PANEL WAS ILLUMINATED AT STOP LIGHT. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE CAR PROCEEDED. CAR DRIVEN TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF STREET TO PARK AND ASSESS SITUATION. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN ACROSS STREET, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG ALSO DEPLOYED. NO COLLISION WITH AND NO TAPPING OF ANOTHER CAR OCCURRED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND W/O DEBRIS. NO RAIN WAS FALLING AND NO LIGHTING OR THUNDER WAS PRESENT. WHAT APPEAR TO BE FIRST DEGREES BURNS WERE SUSTAINED ON THE LATERAL ASPECT OF THE RIGHT FOREARM AND HAND. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO EYE OR FACE.
WARM ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND CAR DRIVEN TO INTERSECTION ROUGHLY 50 YARDS AWAY. AT STOP LIGHT, SRS LIGHT BECAME ILLUMINATED AND THEN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE CAR STILL STOPPED. CAR THEN TURNED TO GO TO OTHER SIDE OF STREET TO PARK. WHILE CAR BEING DRIVEN CROSSING STREET, APPROX 5 MPH MAX, DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ROAD CONDITIONS WERE DRY AND CLEAN, WITH NO DEBRIS ON ROAD. WEATHER WAS GOOD, WITH NO RAIN, THUNDER OR LIGHTNING PRESENT. DRIVER SUSTAINED SUPERFICIAL BURNS ON LATERAL SIDE OF R FOREARM AND HAND. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO FACE OR EYES.
I OWN A AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS DRIVING A CUSTOMER VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE STREET AT 20-25 MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER AIRBAG EXPLODED. IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A MINUTE I DECIDED I SHOULD PULL THE CAR A LITTLE MORE OFF THE ROAD , AS I WAS DOING THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF.
I HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A STREET, GOING STRAIGHT, AT ABOUT 20 MPH, WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER, THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, HITTING ME. I PULLED OVER. THE CAR HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING PRIOR TO DEPLOYMENT. THE RESULT IS THAT THE WINDSHIELD IS CRACKED, THE INTERIOR OVERHEAD LIGHT DISLODGED AND I WAS DISORIENTED.
I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. THE CAR WAS IN PARK WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. GM WILL NOT FIX THE CAR AND HAS OFFERED A VERY LOW REPURCHASE OFFER ($1100.00 LESS THAN KBB TRADE IN VALUE). *TR
Safety Rating for the 1998 SAAB 900
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 SAAB 900 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 SAAB 900
SAAB CARS USA, INC. has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 SAAB 900. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
8111984 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW
INFORMATION ON REPLACING CONNECTING TAB ON ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW. *TT
8112099 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
CONCERNS WITH CRACKS IN SOFT TOP COVER FOIL STRIP. *TT
8111988 — STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
ON SOME VEHICLES, THE SOFT TOP (TONNEAU) COVER LATCHES MAY NOT OPEN FULLY OR FAST ENOUGH WHEN THE SOFT TOP COVER IS BEING OPENED. *TT
850 — AIR BAGS
SRS (AIRBAG) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES MISSING FROM WORKSHOP INFORMATION. *YC
3832062 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SERVICE INFORMATION DESCRIBING FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTION FOR ANIT-THEFT ALARM. *YC
98071011938 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SERVICE INFORMATION CONTAINS THE ESSENTIAL SPECIAL TOOLS.
3632027 — VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
CONCERNS WITH NUTS ON REAR WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS COME LOOSE. *YC
3512028 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
CONCERNS WITH LOOSE SEAL AROUND FRONT DIRECTION INDICTORS. *YC
8502005 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
RECALL CAMPAIGN INFORMATION ON AFFIXING AIRBAG LABEL. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 SAAB 900
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 SAAB 900.
Other Model Years of the SAAB 900
- 1993 SAAB 900 — 8 complaints
- 1994 SAAB 900 — 88 complaints
- 1995 SAAB 900 — 159 complaints
- 1996 SAAB 900 — 78 complaints
- 1997 SAAB 900 — 27 complaints
- 1998 SAAB 900 (current)
- 1999 SAAB 900 — 4 complaints
- 2000 SAAB 900 — 1 complaint