Model year record

1995 SAAB 900

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 159 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V308000

Air bags

Component: Air bags
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 20,476
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-11-14
Owners notified: 2003-04-04

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND PERFORM CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE POSSIBLE INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE BOTTOM OF AN ELECTROLYTE CAPACITOR, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR IT TO LEAK ELECTROLYTE WITHIN THE AIR BAG ECU. ALSO, IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS, THE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER CAN CAUSE RAPID COOLING OF THE ECU, WHICH IN TURN MAY CAUSE THE FORMATION OF CONDENSATION WITH THE UNIT.

Safety risk

IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER THE AIR BAGS AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONERS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V038000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component: Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 92,505
Reported to NHTSA: 1998-02-24
Owners notified: 1998-06-15

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V046000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 52,500
Reported to NHTSA: 1997-03-21
Owners notified: 1997-05-05

Defect description

CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.

Safety 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 CONTROL.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V008000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component: Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 8,988
Reported to NHTSA: 1996-01-23
Owners notified: 1996-02-10

Defect description

THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE COLUMN TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Safety risk

IF MISALIGNED, AN ALUMINUM CONNECTING PIECE CAN FAIL DUE TO FATIGUE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN ALIGNMENT TO ENSURE THAT NO MISALIGNMENT EXISTS. IF A MISALIGNMENT IS FOUND, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY AS A UNIT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V066000

Electrical system: ignition: module

Component: Electrical system: ignition: module
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 5,383
Reported to NHTSA: 1995-03-29
Owners notified: 1995-07-07

Defect description

UPON STARTUP, A VOLTAGE DROP TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION WHERE ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES FROM 600 TO 3,000 RPM FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE NORMAL ENGINE IDLE OF 900 RPM.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REVISED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V068000

Power train: manual transmission

Component: Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 8,993
Reported to NHTSA: 1995-03-29
Owners notified: 1995-07-07

Defect description

IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, OR, TO ACCIDENTLY DISENGAGE REVERSE BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER.

Safety risk

IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE A SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN THE SHIFT IS MOVED TO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE REVERSE GEAR IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED.

Recall campaignNHTSA 94V226000

Seats: front assembly: recliner

Component: Seats: front assembly: recliner
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 10,584
Reported to NHTSA: 1994-11-18
Owners notified: 1995-01-12

Defect description

ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.

Manufacturer remedy

BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS WILL BE INSPECTED WITH THE USE OF A HOOK TO PULL BACK THE SEAT BACK UPHOLSTERY. FOR ANY SEAT WITH MISSING WELDS, THE SEAT BACK FRAME/RECLINER WILL BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

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

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Power train: manual transmission	10	110,000 mi
Electrical system	7	59,250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	6	—
Vehicle speed control	6	—
Air bags	5	114,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	5	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	5	—
Electrical system: ignition	4	—
Electrical system: ignition: module	4	130,500 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	—
Power train: clutch assembly	4	—
Seat belts	4	92,128 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	4	—
Engine and engine cooling	3	9,732 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	3	76,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	3	—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	3	60,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	3	—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	80,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	3	160,785 mi
Structure	3	—
Suspension: front	3	130,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	80,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	—
Interior lighting	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission	2	—
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch	2	—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	2	94,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	2	—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar	2	—
Structure: frame and members	2	—
Unknown or other	2	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	2	125,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	43,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	32,759 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	1	—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	9,732 mi
Exterior lighting	1	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	9,732 mi
Parking brake: conventional	1	—
Parking brake: indicator light	1	9,732 mi
Power train	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft	1	—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly	1	—
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic	1	9,732 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum	1	—
Structure: body	1	—
Structure: body: door	1	—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm	1	—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	1	130,000 mi
Tires	1	9,732 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	—
Visibility: windshield	1	—

The 1994 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has 2 times 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.