Model year record

1997 SAAB 900

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 27 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V139000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
39,313
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-23
Owners notified
1998-09-01

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer 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.

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags259,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2124,719 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust2
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: ignition: switch175,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices1
Fuel system, gasoline1107,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1111,000 mi
Seat belts1123,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly175,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip175,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist175,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system175,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door1120,000 mi
Suspension1
Vehicle speed control1
Vehicle speed control: cables1129,027 mi
Visibility: windshield1
Wheels1
Wheels: rim1

The 1996 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has roughly the same number of 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.