Known Recalls

Model year record

1996 SAAB 900

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 78 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

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 96V077000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component
Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
1,058
Reported to NHTSA
1996-05-03
Owners notified
1996-05-15

Defect description

DURING STATIC TESTING OF BELT ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE OUTBOARD ATTACHMENT PLATE BEING USED IN THE TESTING DEFORMED AND DETACHED FROM THE SEAT ANCHORAGE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES FOR THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. ANY ASSEMBLY WITH DATE YEAR 96 WEEK 10 DAY 2 WILL BE REPLACED.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: manual transmission5—
Air bags4—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery4—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly458,857 mi
Electrical system372,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Power train: automatic transmission3—
Electrical system: ignition: module299,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Power train2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Unknown or other2—
Vehicle speed control2—
Air bags: side/window1100,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling1100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1—
Equipment158,857 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seats1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Wheels1—

The 1995 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1997 model has 3 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.