no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.
1996 Saab 900Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 48 owner complaints about the 1996 Saab 900, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 2, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1996 Saab 900 has problems
48 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
10Power train1 crash/fire/injury
9Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
6Fuel system, gasoline
5Air bags
5Equipment
3Steering
3Exterior lighting
3Vehicle speed control
128 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 3 |
| Power train | 10 | 1 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 |
| 8 other systems | 12 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1996 Saab 900 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. 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…
no report yet
Front: anchorage
Risk. CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Saab.
Best & worst years
1996 vs. every other 900 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 900 median. How we score
'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1996 Saab 900 safety ratings
1996 Saab 900 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1996 Saab 900, and the recalls they led to.
- DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEYNo recall
- NEW WHEEL BOLTSNo recall
In owners' words
What 900 owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DRIVING SMOOTHLY AT 50 MPH IN 1996 SAAB 900 SE TURBO, 99K MILES. ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY BUT SMOOTHLY DROPS TO ZERO AND STOPPED IN A VERY UNSAFE PLACE ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. ABSOLUTELY NO FAULTS OF ANY KIND OCCURRED DURING THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS CAR'S DIRECT…
PRIOR TO DI FAILURE, STARTING IMPAIRMENT AND MISFIRES DETECTED WITH CEL. UPON FAILURE, CAR WOULD NOT RUN AND STEERING WAS LOST. TO CORRECT FAILURE, NEW DI WAS FITTED AFTER IT WAS BROKEN. SYMPTOMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REASON ENOUGH TO CHANGE IT EARLY. *NM
ON APRIL 27, 2003, MY SAAB 900 SE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN A MINUTE HAD COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. THE "CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND JUST ESCAPED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE…
Own a 1996 900?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.