1988 Saab 9000
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1988 Saab 9000. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1988 Saab 9000. Newest first.
Abrasion on the printed circuit card in the combination neutral safety/backup lamp switch operated by the automatic transmission gear selector may cause residue to collect in electrical area on the circuit card.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause overheating of the switch assembly withsmoke and possibly a fire in the center console area.
Remedy
Add an electrical circuit, including a relay, to the backup lamp circuit to reduce the current that can flow through the combination switch.
The routing of the throttle kickdown cable could allow chafing to occur between the cable and any one of three steel brake fluid lines near the valve block of the hydraulic brake unit.
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause brake fluid leakage; thus, the brakecircuit supplied by that line would become inoperative and result in decreasedbraking effectiveness and an accident.
Remedy
Change cable routing and install new attachment bracket to prevent chafing.
The ball chain between the cruise control vacuum regulator and the accelerator pedal arm may catch on the vacuum regulator attachment clip.
Risk and remedy
Risk
If the chain gets caught the throttle could be preventedfrom returning to fully closed position when the accelerator pedal IS released.
Remedy
A plastic cap will be installed over the vacuum regulator clip to cover the openings.
Owner complaints
12 complaints2 involved a fire
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Vehicle experiencing ongoing problem with brake failure. Provide further details. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline
The vehicle quickly engulf in flames, the vehicle was parked ea95-0920a. tt
- Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood · Seats
Drivers seat started to burn. Resulting in occupants clothes catching on fire. Also engine compartment fire. Explain in more detail. tt
- Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
Drivers seat back IS adjustable. On two occasions back collapsed with no warning. Please describe details. tt
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
The ABS system failed, and prior to that the ABS light comes on and the brakes make noise when applied, dealer can find nothing wrong. tt
- Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
Fuel line leak under vent of fuel tank and near center of under carriage. *skd
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Vehicle speed control
Timing belt chain failed.
- Fuel system, gasoline · Interior lighting · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Lights frequently go out on dash and dash makes crackling noise, also toxic odor coming from dash area.
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Consumer was driving and smoke came from the dash board. tt
- Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
Upon returning to parked car owner smelled smoke and vehicle caught on fire. Point of origin console area behind heating control/dashboard element. tt
- Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Power windows cease to operate intermittently, now quitting altogether. tt
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Fuse box becomes extremely hot. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Passenger compartment fire
There is no summary currently available
- Passenger compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
- Wire harness chafing
Summary:===
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.
- 604046Backgroud information in diagnosing a driveability complaint or the check engine lamp coming on.
- 52448Adjustment of bearing tension.
- 52045Recall 278 - overheating of back-up light switch- saab cars USA, inc has notified the national highway traffic safety administration (nhtsa) that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in certain 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and early 1990 9000 models with automatic transmission- approximately 24,000 vehicles were originally affected- the defect consists of the possibility that the combination neutral safety/back-up light switch may overheat from the current flow through the back-up lamp circuit when the ignition IS switched on and the automatic transmission selector lever IS in the reverse (r) position for long periods of time- if overheating of the switch assembly does occur, smoke, or possibly, fire could develop in the center console area of the passenger compartment even if the engine has been switched off- these cars were recalled to modify the back-up light wiring circuit to reduce the maximum electrical current flow through the neutral safety/back-up light switch, and to replace the switch- recall 278.
Every Saab 9000 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.