- 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
1989 Saab 9000 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 1989 Saab 9000 with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (5) and the engine & cooling (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in November 1990 for the switch. For comparison, the 1988 has 12 and the 1990 has 7.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical 9000 year, for its age
#75 most complained-about 1989 vehicle
- Complaints
- 14
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1989 Saab 9000 problems
Share of all 14 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1989 Saab 9000 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
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- Change cable routing and install new attachment bracket to prevent chafing.
- The problem
- Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process.
- The risk
- Fuel filter may leak creating a potential fire hazard.
- The fix
- REPLACE FUEL FILTER.
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
14 complaints about the 1989 Saab 9000
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Saab customer assist ctr declined all form of assistance. No safety defect listed in the summary. *Ak
While pulling out of a parking space, as soon as the car was put in drive, the vehicle took off. The vehicle hit other cars. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *Ak
Cooling fan relay burned out melting the relay fuse box located under the hood.
According to manufacturers standard equipment, driver side aig bag should have been installed, however it's not.
Vehicle shuts down without warning and can sometime be restarted with a battery boost.
Vehicle engine overheats and the starter will not start. *Ak
Saw smoke, popped hood engine was on fire. Please give more details. Tt
THE VEHICLE BURNED AND WAS TOTALLED. TT
The electrical installation caused the ignition to almost go out. Please describe. Tt
Vehicle stalling due to battery distributor block. *Sd
After driven/parked 30 mins., Vehicle began to smoke and fire started in area of tail lights. Please describe details. Tt
Transmission fails to go into gear, preventing vehicle from starting. *Aw
The fuse box in the glove compartment melt the candy that was in the box smell the smoke in car. Tt
Abs: brakes have gone out 2 times without warning; pedal goes to floor with no braking effect; no warning; extended stopping; 45 mph. Tt
Saab 9000: every year compared
All 9000 years1989 Saab 9000 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 Saab 9000 | 14 | 3 | F | |
| 1989 Saab 900 | 22 | 2 | 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 1989 Saab 9000
Does the 1989 Saab 9000 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1989 Saab 9000: switch (November 1990); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (November 1989); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (November 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 1989 Saab 9000?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (5), engine & cooling (3), brakes (2).
How many complaints has the 1989 Saab 9000 had?
14 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 6, 1995 and the latest on May 31, 2000. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1989 Saab 9000 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 18 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than 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 1989 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