1989 Saab 900
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1989 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 1989 Saab 900. Newest first.
Under certain conditions, a reverse current might flow through a wire cable between the air recirculation switch and a microswitch.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Heater fan resistor would overheat and smoke in thepassenger compartment heating system, causing discomfort and breathing hazardsto the driver and passengers.
Remedy
Disconnect electrical wire cable and secure by tape around cable harness.
Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Fuel filter may leak creating a potential fire hazard.
Remedy
Replace fuel filter.
Owner complaints
22 complaints1 involved a crash4 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
Alternator, carburetor, electrical system, draining of power ; no one has been able to pinpoint the problem, the auto has sat now for two years because I was tired of pouring money into it only to have it unable to repaired properly. *jb
- Seat belts
Right side passive seatbelt system failed motor caused shoulder belt key to go back and forth . Driver side did the same. Repair tech said that it was a short in the system and that it was commom with saabs with this type of safety belts. Cost of repair would be $650 did not repair had tech lock key in a fixed position.*ak
- Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Failed as I was backing out of parking space. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Driver's side control arm broke while parking vehicle. replaced both driver- & passenger-side control arms as precaution. mechanic has part & speculates design defect; has one from another saab hanging on wall as souvenir! contact peter's zaab service, 415.456.0540.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head gasket went, and cost about 1600 canadian. Manufacturer declined any assistance.*ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
The dealer in little rock, ar. Indicated that this type of a problem IS common because of the design of the lower control arm. any problem that causes the driver to lose control of their vehicle IS not common. had I been travelling at freeway speeds I would have lost control and my family would be wondering what happend. major suspension parts, such as the front left lower control arm, should not break. *Ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing chain failed during normal operation at 35 mph causing engine to stall and $2400 in engine valve damage. timing chain IS not specificed as a normal replacement item.
- Seat belts
Computer box that controls motorbelts failed. (Ms)
- Electrical system › Starter assembly · Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
Faulty brake light switch. Also, starter jammed into place, burned starter up.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Casing around transmission cracked, causing oil to leak out onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in an engine fire.
- Seat belts
The driver's and passenger's motorized shoulder seatbelts would not retract, resulting in both shoulder belts becoming inoperative. Will not protect the occupants in event of an accident. *ak
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Vehicle parked in garage , got in car started to back up and the body fell on the wheel well. lower control arm had fractured from the frame. The weld was the actual fracture point. *ak
- Seats
While idling driver's seat position adjustment latch malfunctioned, caused seat to go backwards, resulting in an accident. *ak
- Seat belts
Motorized seat belt will not stop, continues to slide up/down track.
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
While driving, lower arm broke, caused vehicle to lurch to one side, vehicle became uncontrollable; speed 5 mph; few minutes before, was driving on highway at 65 mph, no accident. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Exterior lighting › Back up lights · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Fuel pump failed, also replaced alternator, a/c compressor/back up lights/subroof cables.*ak
- Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Visibility › Windshield
Window lift failed. *Sd
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Wiring harness under dash shorted, causing fire. (Attorney for client) *dh
- Seat belts
Drivers motorbelt stuck in center of track, passengers motorbelt failed. *Dsh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Power train › Automatic transmission
Thermostat failed, causing vehicle fire. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Power train › Driveline
Water pump failure. *ak
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
In 1990 vehicle caught on fire in passenager compartment, possible due to default in heating system. tt
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.