1989 SAAB 900 Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
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
Mileage: 85,000
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 KE...
FAILED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE. *AK
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 HEAD GASKET WENT, AND COST ABOUT 1600 CANADIAN. MANUFACTURER DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE.*AK
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...
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.
FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, STARTER JAMMED INTO PLACE, BURNED STARTER UP.
FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. ALSO, STARTER JAMMED INTO PLACE, BURNED STARTER UP.
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
CASING AROUND TRANSMISSION CRACKED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE.
COMPUTER BOX THAT CONTROLS MOTORBELTS FAILED. (MS)
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
WHILE IDLING DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK
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
MOTORIZED SEAT BELT WILL NOT STOP, CONTINUES TO SLIDE UP/DOWN TRACK.
FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.*AK
FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.*AK
FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.*AK
FUEL PUMP FAILED, ALSO REPLACED ALTERNATOR, A/C COMPRESSOR/BACK UP LIGHTS/SUBROOF CABLES.*AK
DRIVERS MOTORBELT STUCK IN CENTER OF TRACK, PASSENGERS MOTORBELT FAILED. *DSH
WHILE DRIVING, DRIVER'S SEAT POSITION ADJUSTMENT LATCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED SEAT TO GO BACKWARDS, RESULT ACCIDENT. *AK
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH
FUEL PUMP FAILURE.
WATER PUMP FAILURE. *AK
SEALING COLLAR/INNER DRIVE/DRIVE MOUNTS FAILED.
REPLACED RADIO ANTENNA.
REPLACED RIGHT DOOR LOCK.
THERMOSTAT FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE FIRE. *AK
REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
REPLACED RIGHT DOOR LOCK.
IN 1990 VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN PASSENAGER COMPARTMENT, POSSIBLE DUE TO DEFAULT IN HEATING SYSTEM. TT
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. *SD
WINDOW LIFT FAILED. *SD