NHTSA vehicle safety data

1997 Saab 900 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1997 Saab 900 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 21 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Saab dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 Saab 900, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1997 Saab 900 owner complaints

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 Saab 900, describing incidents dated June 1, 1997 to April 2, 2014.

Most-cited components

Power Train 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints
Seat Belts 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 2 complaints

Together, the 21 complaints on file report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10618672 · Filed August 4, 2014
I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR
ODI #10480158 · Filed October 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS…
ODI #10269828 · Filed May 24, 2009
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR

Read all 21 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 1997 Saab 900 in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP00-008: DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
Closed November 19, 2001
Service Query SQ98-018: NEW WHEEL BOLTS
Closed October 27, 1998

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

SAAB/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #98V139000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported June 23, 1998 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 39,313 vehicles

Owners notified September 1, 1998 · Vehicles built February 25, 1997 – December 21, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety consequence

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATIONBEGAN SEPTEMBER 1,1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE ALERT LABEL WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONBLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SAAB/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #98V038000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported February 24, 1998 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 92,505 vehicles

Owners notified June 15, 1998 · Vehicles built September 6, 1993 – December 21, 1997 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1998.OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SAAB/THROTTLE CONTROL

NHTSA #97V046000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice

Reported March 21, 1997 · SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Potentially affected: 52,500 vehicles

Owners notified May 5, 1997

Defect description

CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 1, 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

1997 Saab 900 4-DR

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2 investigations

21 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Saab 900.

Seat Belts

ODI #10618672

Incident: April 2, 2014 · Filed: August 4, 2014

I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10480158

1 injury

Incident: August 28, 2012 · Filed: October 15, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline

ODI #10269828

Incident: May 21, 2009 · Filed: May 24, 2009

1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR

Structure; Latches/Locks/Linkages

ODI #10244078

Incident: September 30, 2008 · Filed: October 1, 2008

MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR

Electrical System

ODI #10162581

Incident: July 17, 2006 · Filed: July 17, 2006

FAILURE IN 1997 SAAB 900 SE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR YEAR MODEL 2000-2002, BUT EARLIER MODEL YEARS FAIL TOO. *JB

Air Bags

ODI #10149473

Incident: January 5, 2006 · Filed: February 5, 2006

RE: SAAB 900 1997. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS TENSIONED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND THE RADIO POPPED OUT OF THE DASH. THIS IS EVENT IS VERY MUCH ALIKE TO DEFECTS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS OF SAAB 900 1995 AND 1998 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A REPORT AT SAAB. SAAB HAS INFORMED ME THAT AT THIS TIME THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. *JB

Power Train

ODI #10135938

Incident: September 3, 2005 · Filed: September 9, 2005

THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM

Seat Belts

ODI #10122276

1 injury

Incident: May 25, 2005 · Filed: May 27, 2005

DURING AN EXTREMELY HARD STOP AND SWERVE TO AVOID A VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF IT'S LANE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT POPPED OUT OF ITS HARNESS AND THE PASENGER WAS PROPELLED IN TO THE DASH.THE SEATBELT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, AND AFTERWARDS WE WERE UNABLE OT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY PULLING HARD ON THE SEATBELT.

Steering; Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System

ODI #10118144

Incident: February 10, 2005 · Filed: April 20, 2005

1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO 2.0, CAR BEGAN TO STALL, AND WOULD ONLY RESTART ONCE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE KEYS REMOVED. STALLING CONTINUED RANDOMLY AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLED AT HIGH SPEEDS - THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT, POWER AND ABS BRAKES - IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED AND ALL POWER CUT TO THE CAR.*AK FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (ELECTRICAL PORTION BELOW KEYS) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, STALLING FIXED. CAR BASICALLY THOUGHT THE KEYS WERE BEING REMOVED (THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE BAD AND WOULD CUT ON AND OFF). ~$400 AFTER PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE SWITCH, HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF A DANGEROUS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS.

Power Train

ODI #10091174

Incident: September 8, 2004 · Filed: September 17, 2004

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE - THE CLUTCH CABLE HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD ONLY TO HAVE THE CABLE SNAP AND THE CLUTCH GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ON SEPT 8, 2004 - THE CABLE BROKE FOR THE 3RD TIME - MY 5 YEAR OLD AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY - NARROWLY ESCAPING A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURING. MY IMPORT MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WHO ATTRIBUTES IT TO A POOR DESIGN. EACH FIX IS COSTING - $300 FOR LABOR AND PARTS AS WELL AS THE USE OF A RENTAL CAR FOR 1 WEEK BECAUSE OF A LONG DELAY IN GETTING PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I AM PURCHASING ANOTHER CAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILD. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY SAAB (FOR SUNNY DAYS) AS WELL. IS SAAB ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? APPARENTLY THERE IS A PLASTIC PART AT THE END OF THE CABLE WHICH SNAPS OFF BECAUSE IT CAN'T TAKE THE CONSTANT PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! WHAT IS THE FIX?*AK

Other Saab 900 model years

Check your 1997 Saab 900 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Saab 900 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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