1988 Saab 900
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1988 Saab 900. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1988 Saab 900. Newest first.
Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause a short circuit; the resulting heatbuildup could cause smoke or a fire in the passenger compartment.
Remedy
Install rubber protective strips to sharp edges and completely encase wire harness in a protective plastic tube.
Bolts used in the attachments of the front suspension system control arms may be defective.
Risk and remedy
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.
Remedy
Replace bolts with proper specification bolts.
Owner complaints
13 complaints1 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Front left control arm broke pulling out of driveway causing loss of steering control, wheel to fall off and causing damage to shock, wheel bearing and c.v. Joint. *Ak
- Power train · Seats
Driver's seat anchoring bracket which attaches to seat base broke away from the attachment bolt. odometer became inoperable and this seems to be the case on most pre-1990 models as stated by mechanic who specializes in saab repairs. mechanic states that this issue involves the gearing mechanism within the odometer.
- Seat belts
Motorized seat belts are defective. sometimes they don't engage, sometimes they don't release. this IS a serious safety issue, and I feel the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. *ak.
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
The lap and shoulder belts don't retract. Dealer has a fix. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring
Heat shield that protected the wires rot out, replace heat shield.
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
Parking brake stick/freeze when outside temperature IS freezing. *ak
- Vehicle speed control
Sudden acceleration, causing accident/injury.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine motor mounts broke, causing a fire, in for repairs twice. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor · Steering › Linkages › Arm › Idler and attachment
Premature wear of ring & pinion gear; also, premature wear of front brake rotors; cruise control failure, causing vehicle to surge and cooling fan/thermostat failure. *ak
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and cable
In the winter time the emergency brake cable freezes up . tt
- Electrical system › Ignition
Intermittent stalling, also vehicle won't start. *skd
- Power train
Speedometer keeps breaking; replaced six times within 6 years; does not give accurate readings; unsafe driving. tt
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
Location of defroster vents prevent windshield from defrosting entirely. *skd
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Seat back recliner failure
There is no summary currently available
- Battery cable grounding
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 604154Information on installing larger fuel system non-return valves.
Every Saab 900 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.