Your vehicle report
1994 Saab 900
The problems owners report. The recalls to check. The evidence behind each.
Your vehicle at a glance
Complaint patterns and official recall records, kept distinct.
- Owner complaints
- 44
- Received Jan 1995 to Jun 2014
Owner reports
Most reported problems
- 1Vehicle catches fire from wiring4 complaints · 9.1% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 2Serpentine belt breaks or slips off3 complaints · 6.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
- 3Timing chain fails and destroys engine3 complaints · 6.8% of this vehicle’s complaints
Official NHTSA records
Recalls to check
- Recall #98V038000Vehicle 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."
- Recall #97V046000Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
BrakeNews signals
Flagged complaint patterns
Unusual complaint patterns with no matched recall yet. A flag does not mean a recall will happen.
No problems currently meet BrakeNews’s flagging criteria. This is not a safety rating.
How flags are identifiedComplaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA, not failure rates or a reliability ranking. Reported in these complaints: 3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 people injured, 0 deaths.
Explore by system
Where do owners report problems?
Choose an area on the car or a system below to explore the reported problems.
Illustrative only; not this vehicle’s exact design. Areas represent complaint categories, not confirmed defective parts.
Showing all 6 listed problems by system.
Engine & powertrain
Brakes
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Electrical & lights
Airbags, belts & seats
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Steering, suspension & tires
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Body, doors & glass
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Driver assistance
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Other
No problems in this category meet this page’s listing criteria. This does not establish that the system is free of problems.
Complaint history
When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.
Show as a table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 10 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 4 |
| 1999 | 6 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 0 |
| 2006 | 0 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 (to Oct 2026) | 0 |
| Total | 44 |
Problems owners report
Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.
| Problem | Complaints | Share | Share ratio | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle catches fire from wiring | 4 | 9.1% | – | |
| Serpentine belt breaks or slips off | 3 | 6.8% | – | |
| Timing chain fails and destroys engine | 3 | 6.8% | – | |
| Engine suddenly shuts off while driving | 3 | 6.8% | – | |
| Head gasket leaks coolant into engine | 3 | 6.8% | – | |
| Transmission will not engage reverse gear | 3 | 6.8% | – | NHTSA recall #95V068000 |
AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.
Recalls
NHTSA recall #98V038000February 24, 199892,505 vehicles affected
exterior lighting: headlights
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."
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Remedy
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.
NHTSA recall #97V046000March 21, 199752,500 vehicles affected
vehicle speed control
Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing Can cause the throttle lever to bind.
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.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt.
NHTSA recall #95V068000March 29, 19958,993 vehicles affected
power train: manual transmission
It is possible to move the shift lever into the reverse gear position, remove the ignition key, and still have the transmission in neutral, or, to accidently disengage reverse by striking the gear lever.
If the parking brake is not applied, the car Can roll from its original parked position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace transmission linkage components and complete a specially developed service adjustment procedure that will ensure that when the shift is moved to the reverse position, the reverse gear is actually engaged.
NHTSA recall #94V226000November 18, 199410,584 vehicles affected
seats: front assembly: recliner
One or more of the arc welds Can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.
This Can result in a seat back falling backwards under a load.
Remedy
Both front seat backs will be inspected with the use of a hook to pull back the seat back upholstery. For any seat with missing welds, the seat back frame/recliner will be replaced.
NHTSA recall #94V174000September 14, 19949,814 vehicles affected
structure: body: door
The two weld points in the rearward attachment bracket for the side impact protection beam in the rear door may be out of position. If the welds are out of position, the vehicles will not meet the requirements of FMVSS 214, S5, "side door strength."
Consequence of non-compliance: passengers sitting in the rear seats will be subject to an increased risk of injury in the event of a side collision.
Remedy
Dealers will install support brackets at the support weld locations.
NHTSA recall #94V127000July 8, 19941,015 vehicles affected
seats
Two trigger springs mounted to the fore/aft adjustment lever do not develop sufficient force to properly lock the seat rails. After the seat is adjusted, this does not allow the seat rail lock to properly engage, which Can cause the seat to move in a sudden stop or collision.
This Can increase the possibility of injury to a seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Remedy
Dealers will remove both front seats and the two springs on each seat will be replaced with new springs with proper tension to ensure proper engagement.
NHTSA recall #94V110000June 13, 19943,252 vehicles affected
seats
A weld in the seat rails was not made, increasing the risk of fatigue cracks forming around the attachment bushings on the height adjustment mechanism, causing the possibility of the height adjuster breaking in a rear end collision and allowing the seat to fold backwards.
This Can increase the risk of injury to seat occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will install new front seat frame rails.
NHTSA recall #94V074000April 16, 19947,443 vehicles affected
service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
The original front brake discs and/or pads shields do not protect the assemblies from being coated with a layer of slush, road salt or water while driving in snow or heavy rain. This Can result in a delay in braking action that increases normal stopping distance.
Increased stopping distance could result in an accident.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the original front brake shields with a new design. An additional hole will be drilled in the steering king pin housing to attach a larger cover plate. A smaller protection plate will also be attached to the existing two bolts in the hub.
Other model years
About this data
NHTSA complaints and recalls through October 2026. Complaints are counted once each, however many components they name. Original complaints are on NHTSA's page for the 1994 Saab 900.
Problem groups are formed by AI and may be approximate. BrakeNews flags unusual complaint patterns; they are not official defect findings. Investigation reports are written and checked by AI, with no human review. Owner reports do not establish that a defect exists.
Read the methodology and track record · Check current recalls by VIN