- The problem
- Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).
- The risk
- This could cause a short circuit; the resulting heatbuildup could cause smoke or a fire in the passenger compartment.
- The fix
- Install rubber protective strips to sharp edges and completely encase wire harness in a protective plastic tube.
Vehicle safety record
1988 Saab 900 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1988 Saab 900 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (3) and the seats & seat belts (3). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 1988 for the interior / under dash. For comparison, the 1987 has 4 and the 1989 has 22.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 900 year, for its age
#66 most complained-about 1988 vehicle
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1988 Saab 900 problems
Share of all 13 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1988 Saab 900 recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Bolts used in the attachments of the front suspension system control arms may be defective.
- The 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.
- The fix
- REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
What owners say
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13 complaints about the 1988 Saab 900
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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
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.
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.
The lap and shoulder belts don't retract. Dealer has a fix. *Ak
Parking brake stick/freeze when outside temperature is freezing. *Ak
Heat shield that protected the wires rot out, replace heat shield.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING ACCIDENT/INJURY.
Engine motor mounts broke, causing a fire, in for repairs twice. *Ak
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
In the winter time the emergency brake cable freezes up . Tt
Speedometer keeps breaking; replaced six times within 6 years; does not give accurate readings; unsafe driving. Tt
Intermittent stalling, also vehicle won't start. *Skd
Location of defroster vents prevent windshield from defrosting entirely. *Skd
Saab 900: every year compared
All 900 years1988 Saab 900 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Saab 900 | 13 | 2 | C | |
| 1988 Saab 9000 | 12 | 3 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1988 Saab 900
Does the 1988 Saab 900 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1988 Saab 900: interior / under dash (November 1988); lower arm (September 1988). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Saab 900?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (3), seats & seat belts (3), transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many complaints has the 1988 Saab 900 had?
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 13, 1995 and the latest on January 5, 2001. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1988 Saab 900 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saab 900 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Saab 900 years have the most complaints?
1995 (100), 1996 (48), 1994 (44). See every Saab 900 year compared.
What should I do if my 1988 Saab 900 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data