- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- This could cause overheating of the switch assembly withsmoke and possibly a fire in the center console area.
- The fix
- Add an electrical circuit, including a relay, to the backup lamp circuit to reduce the current that can flow through the combination switch.
Vehicle safety record
1986 Saab 9000 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1986 Saab 9000 with NHTSA, most often about the equipment & accessories (1) and the fuel system (1). Those complaints describe 2 fires. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in November 1990 for the switch. For comparison, the 1987 has 5.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 9000 year, for its age
#106 most complained-about 1986 vehicle
- Complaints
- 3
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1986 Saab 9000 problems
Share of all 3 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1986 Saab 9000 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
- The wiring harness may chafe against the windshield wiper motor bracket. Consequence of defect: if a short circuit develops, it could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Affix two rubber strips to the vertical edges of the windshield wiper motor bracket.
What owners say
Be the first 9000 owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
3 complaints about the 1986 Saab 9000
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Front seat backs have almost an inch of free-play front to rear. This free play is felt on stops, flopping back to front, particularly on downhill stops. May cause back injury and road distraction.
When putting a match in the ashtray the match continued to burn and the whole dash went up in flames. Please describe.
Vehicle caught fire while parked and inoperative.The fire began under the hood it caused an explosion.The car was started by itself.(Ea95-020). Tt
Saab 9000: every year compared
All 9000 years1986 Saab 9000 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Saab 9000 | 3 | 2 | C | |
| 1986 Saab 900 | 9 | 2 | 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 1986 Saab 9000
Does the 1986 Saab 9000 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1986 Saab 9000: switch (November 1990); interior / under dash (October 1986). 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 1986 Saab 9000?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the equipment & accessories (1), fuel system (1), seats & seat belts (1).
How many complaints has the 1986 Saab 9000 had?
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on August 14, 1995 and the latest on October 10, 1998. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1986 Saab 9000 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Saab 9000 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 9000 years have the most complaints?
1993 (30), 1992 (19), 1994 (15). See every Saab 9000 year compared.
What should I do if my 1986 Saab 9000 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