Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 SAAB 900

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 18 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V173000

Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash

Component
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
70,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-11-01
Owners notified
1989-01-18

Defect description

WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V149000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
3,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-09-07
Owners notified
1988-09-20

Defect description

BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable2—
Power train2—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering: linkages: arm: idler and attachment1—
Suspension: front: control arm1—
Vehicle speed control1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1—

The 1987 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.