- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The instructions for properly aiming the headlighting system were omitted. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- The risk
- If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
- The fix
- Owners will be sent aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the owner guides. If an owner so desires, a dealer can affix the inserts in their owner guide for them.
Vehicle safety record
1996 Saab 900 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 48 complaints about the 1996 Saab 900 with NHTSA, most often about the transmission & drivetrain (10) and the electrical system (8). Those complaints describe 3 fires. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 1998 for the headlights. For comparison, the 1995 has 100 and the 1997 has 21.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 900 year, for its age
#91 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 Saab 900 problems
Share of all 48 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1996 Saab 900 recalls 3
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
- Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
- The risk
- This binding can result in the throttle plate not returning to the closed position when the throttle pedal is released and a subsequent loss of throttle control.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt.
- The problem
- During static testing of belt anchorage points, the outboard attachment plate being used in the testing deformed and detached from the seat anchorage. This does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "Seat belt assemblies" and no. 210, "Seat belt assembly anchorages."
- The risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: the belt may not latch properly increasing the risk of injury to an occupant should a vehicle crash occur.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the safety belt assemblies for the date of manufacture. Any assembly with date year 96 week 10 day 2 will be replaced.
What owners say
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48 complaints about the 1996 Saab 900
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Passenger airbag deployed for no reason while driving car, no warning lights on dashboard, no impact, no precipitating event occured
Driving smoothly at 50 mph in 1996 saab 900 se turbo, 99k miles. Engine rpm suddenly but smoothly drops to zero and stopped in a very unsafe place on the highway. Car would not re-start. Absolutely no faults of any kind occurred during the months leading up to this incident. This car's direct ignition cassette was replaced once already in jan. 2000 By the previous owner. *Jb
In june 2003, a crack was discovered in the fuel tank of my 1996 saab 900s. The tank was replaced. On 28 july 2004, the replacement tank was discovered to have a leak and was replaced. On 1 september 2005, the second replacement tank was diagnosed as leaking.*Jb
Prior to di failure, starting impairment and misfires detected with cel. Upon failure, car would not run and steering was lost. To correct failure, new di was fitted after it was broken. Symptoms should have been reason enough to change it early. *Nm
While driving ball bearrings exploded in the lower engine. Consumer heard a loud boom. The vehicle was full of clean oil. Consumer contacted the maufacturer and the dealer. Vehicle is currently at dealer. *Ak
When the rear passenger door was opened front passenger side air bag deployed, and smoke entered the passenger's cabin. *Ak
On april 27, 2003, my saab 900 se had an electrical failure while driving within a minute had completely destroyed the car. The "check battery" light came on along with the hazard light. My wife was driving the car in heavy traffic and just escaped the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. The police had to call me to get the license plate number and vin, as they had melted. The car had 72,000 miles and had been checked twice in the past year. Just months before it had been completely inspected. The car was in show room condition. *Jb
Odometer fraud. The advertised mileage was 55,000 but the carfax reported the mileage at 150,000 miles over a year ago. I reported it to the dealer, took back my deposit and gave back the car. They informed me they already had another buyer for the car and are still advertising it with 55,000 miles. *Jb
THE TIMING BELT FAILED. *JB (SAAB 900 SE)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
While driving heard a raddling noise, had it checked out. Main front left spring had fractured. Spring replacement, 44 83-178.Contacted dealer.*Ak
Will not shift into first, fifth, or reverse. Key cannot be removed since it will not shift into reverse. Saab has refused to pay for repair.*Ak
Plastic fuel tank is leaking, dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.*Ak
S model, consumer smelled fuel, dealer determined the plastic fuel tank was leaking. Part was replaced, new fuel tank has leaked twice.*Jb
Intermittently gearbox light will light, causing vehicle to lose 1st and second gear. This is a safety issue as vehicle may not get up to hightway speeds at ramps, almost causing a rear end collision. This is a know issue w/ saab. I contacted them regarding this problem. They stated there are no safety issues open on this vehicle. Over 25 posts for this same problem on saabnet.Com. Dealer has tried to repair vehicle twice without success. I have spent over $800.00 Trying to repair this safety problem . Please help. *Ak
This car has been nothing but a nightmare. It has required three tows from june 2001 to february 2002. The most expensive failure occurred the day after I had taken the car to a local dealer for a routine oil change (international motors, falls church, va), and the transmission and clutch failed because there was a transmission fluid leak that was not caught by their mechanics. I have contacted saab corporate by letter in december 2001 about my multiple problems with this car. Their response by telephone was that there was nothing that they could do. *Ak
While traveling 60mph transmission became locked in gear. Was not able to shift into another gear. Had remained in 4th gear until able to shift. Took vehicle to service station, and mechanic could not locate any problems. Taking vehicle to dealership.*Ak
Timing chain has to be replaced after 75,000 miles. Vehicle was making a loud warning noise. Saab dealer found problem after doing a routine service check. Although the problem has been found, dealer has never done repairs. *Ak
Saab cars usa refuses to pay for a manufacturer defect. I have had the clutch plate examined by specialists and they all think this is an obvious manufacturer defect. Most experts have never seen a clutch plate split in half like this. The debris from the clutch disintegrating blew into the transmission housing causing a hole. The extended warranty company refuses to pay for the transmission because it was caused by the clutch exploding. I sent photos to saab and three separate letters requesting they fix this problem to no avail. I have all the documentation to support these facts.*Ak
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
After a 30 minutes of driving vehicle was parked in a parking lot. Smoke was noticed coming from underneath the hood area before a fire started. Fire department was on site to put out fire. Saab has been contacted.*Ak vehicle traveling, check the engine light appeared and stayed on the cause was determined to be a sensor. The vehicle slips while in gear and before going into gear due to loss of fluid by lthe leaking transmission. *Yh
Vehicle experienced clutch problem and a transmission failure, consumer wants reimbursement. (Attorney for client) *slc
Safety alert comes on and needs dealer service if battery disconnected. Cannot tell if airbag works - requires dealer service to correct each time. *Ak
While driving about 55 mph, the electric seat on the driver's side started moving to the rear. This happened five times before driver arrived at home, and was causing the driver's feet to be pulled away from the pedals. *Ml
REMOTE ALARM SYSTEM FAILED. NLM
Saab 900: every year compared
All 900 years1996 Saab 900 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 Saab 900 | 48 | 3 | F | |
| 1996 Saab 9000 | 10 | 0 | C | 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 1996 Saab 900
Does the 1996 Saab 900 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1996 Saab 900: headlights (February 1998); vehicle speed control (March 1997); anchorage (May 1996). 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 1996 Saab 900?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the transmission & drivetrain (10), electrical system (8), engine & cooling (8).
How many complaints has the 1996 Saab 900 had?
48 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 22, 1996 and the latest on February 2, 2024. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 Saab 900 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 14 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than 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 1996 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