Model year record

1998 SAAB 900

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 26 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V222000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Vehicles affected
12,036
Reported to NHTSA
2001-07-02
Owners notified
2001-09-24

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. STATIC ELECTRICITY CAN BUILD UP WITHIN THE PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE AND CREATE ENOUGH OF A CHARGE TO CAUSE AN INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MOST OF THESE INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENTS HAVE OCCURRED IN COOLER, DRY WEATHER, AND HAVE GENERALLY INCLUDED DUSTING OR WIPING OF THE DASHBOARD, STARTING THE CAR, OR CLOSING THE DOOR.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE GROUNDING STRAP. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 24, 2001. 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 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal7169,000 mi
Air bags5130,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition250,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: module162,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger150,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission: column shift assembly1
Seat belts131,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Steering1
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1155,285 mi
Wheels: rim1

The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 7 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.