Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 79 of 100 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Power train
26 complaint records1 fire report2 crash reports
"THE CAR HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN NEUTRAL THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND BEGAIN TO MOVE. THIS OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. PLEASE DESCRIBE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →
Electrical system
23 complaint records3 fire reports
"ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WITHOUT WARNING; SUPPOSELY CORRECTED UNDER RECALL # 95V066000, MFR #294; STALLS WHILE SLOWING DOWN. TT..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
21 complaint records1 fire report2 crash reports
"THE ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPING, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY TIMING BELT FAILING. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP00008 opened Sep 2000 | closed Nov 2001 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY a |
| SQ98018 opened Oct 1998 | closed Oct 1998 | Wheels | NEW WHEEL BOLTS saab issued a tsb informing dealers about a new wheel mounting bolt.If the issue is loosening of the lug nut, this could lead to bolt fatigue and the potential for a wheel separation. |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 02V308000 | Air Bags | ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND... | Normally free |
| 98V038000 | Exterior Lighting | VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY AIMING THE HEADLIGHTING SYSTEM WERE OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. | Normally free |
| 97V046000 | Vehicle Speed Control | CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND. | Normally free |
| 96V008000 | Steering | THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS INCORRECTLY INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE COLUMN TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. | Normally free |
| 95V068000 | Power Train | 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. | Normally free |
| 95V066000 | Electrical System | UPON STARTUP, A VOLTAGE DROP TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION WHERE ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES FROM 600 TO 3,000 RPM FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE NORMAL ENGINE IDLE OF 900 RPM. | Normally free |
| 94V226000 | Seats | ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002212 2002-11-15 | Airbag | 940 | On certain vehicles, an electrical short within the airbag electronic control unit may cause inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and seat belt pretensioners. |
| 1998163 1998-08-20 | Lights And Instruments | 4,340 | THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE SECTION TITLED "HEADLAMP AIMING" WAS OMITTED FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL. |
| 1997099 1997-05-09 | Engine | 2,454 | NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHINGS IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CORRODE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND. |
| 1996046 1996-03-18 | Steering | 192 | On certain Saab 900 convertible, the steering column shaft may have been misaligned at the time of installation. This misalignment could cause a fatigue failure in one section of the shaft, with a subsequent loss of steering control. |
| 1995187 1995-10-20 | Seats And Restraints | 31 | THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 213 - CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT MOUNTING ON THE PARCEL SHELF DOES NOT COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD DUE TO INCORRECT SPOT WELDS. |
Show 3 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995159 1995-09-05 | Engine | 287 | NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 2.3L ENGINES AND BOSCH MOTRONIC 2.10.3 ENGINE CONTROL MODULES. DEFECT: IT IS POSSIBLE THAT AN INTERNAL VOLTAGE DROP CAN RESULT IN AN INTERMITTENT FLUCTUATING IDLE. |
| 1995136 1995-07-21 | Powertrain | 575 | NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION INCLUDES 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLES. DEFECT: IT IS POSSIBLE UNDER CERTAIN PARKING CONDITIONS TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE... |
| 1995028 1995-02-16 | Seats And Restraints | 671 | NOTE: 1994-95 3 AND 5 DOOR MODELS AND 1995 CONVERTIBLES. THE SEAT ASSEMBLIES MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS THAT JOIN THE SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHANISM TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130089009 Sep 2013 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules | |
| 850 Mar 2001 | Air Bags | SUBJECT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SRS WIRING HARNESS. *TT | |
| 8111984 Jan 2000 | Visibility | INFORMATION ON REPLACING CONNECTING TAB ON ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW. *TT | |
| 8112099 Jul 1999 | Structure | CONCERNS WITH CRACKS IN SOFT TOP COVER FOIL STRIP. *TT | |
| 8112156 Jul 1999 | Structure | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT IRRITATING ROAD AND WIND NOISE PENETRATING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE COVER AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. *TT |
Show 42 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 831 Jun 1999 | Structure | NOTIFICATION TO STOP PERFORMING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN SI-831-1823 TO ADDRESS A COMPLAINT OF REAR DOORS DUFFICULT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE ON MODELS UP TO W2019950. *TT | |
| 8542143 Jun 1999 | Equipment | ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF NOISES HEARD FROM THE A/C SYSTEM. *TT | |
| 8111988 Feb 1999 | Structure | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE SOFT TOP (TONNEAU) COVER LATCHES MAY NOT OPEN FULLY OR FAST ENOUGH WHEN THE SOFT TOP COVER IS BEING OPENED. *TT | |
| 850 Nov 1998 | Air Bags | SRS (AIRBAG) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES MISSING FROM WORKSHOP INFORMATION. *YC | |
| 4322024 Nov 1998 | Power Train | IMPROVED BUSH AND GEAR LINKAGE. *YC | |
| 3719008ED2 Nov 1998 | Exterior Lighting | INFORMATION ON DELETING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AT CUSTOMER' REQUEST. *YC | |
| 3832062 Nov 1998 | Unknown Or Other | SERVICE INFORMATION DESCRIBING FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTION FOR ANIT-THEFT ALARM. *YC | |
| 980728870 Oct 1998 | Equipment | ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF NOISY A/C. *YC | |
| 3632027 Sep 1998 | Visibility | CONCERNS WITH NUTS ON REAR WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS COME LOOSE. *YC | |
| 3512028 Sep 1998 | Exterior Lighting | CONCERNS WITH LOOSE SEAL AROUND FRONT DIRECTION INDICTORS. *YC | |
| 440 Aug 1998 | Power Train | REMANUFACTURED AISIN AW TRANSMISSION, NO REVERSE AND / OR ERRATIC SHIFTS. *YC | |
| 231 Jul 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ADDRESSING ENGINE NOISE COMPLAINTS. *YC | |
| 641 Jul 1998 | Steering | COMPLAINTS REGARDING NOISY OR HARD TO OPERATE TELESCOPIC STEERING ACTION. *YC | |
| 3671771 Jul 1998 | Equipment | CONCERNS WHEN ANTENNA FAILS TO GO UP / DOWN COMPLETELY ON VEHICLES WITHIN V2037949 AND V7010251. *YC | |
| 8521878 Jul 1998 | Seats | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT SEAT BACKREST DIFFICULT TO TIP FORWARD. *YC | |
| 8111923ED2 May 1998 | Structure | M95 VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN W7008292 HAVE A NEW SPARE PART FOR SOFT TOP ( TONNEAU ) COVER DRIVE UNIT. *YC | |
| 3911902 Mar 1998 | Electrical System | A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING BATTERY, DISCHARGING THROUGH LIGHT SWITCH IN LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT. *YC | |
| 8111923 Mar 1998 | Structure | ON VEHICLES UP TO AND INCLUDING VIN W7008292 THERE IS A NEW SPARE PART FOR TONNEAU COVER DRIVE UNIT. *TT | |
| 7311821 Mar 1998 | Suspension | EXPERIENCING NOISE FROM FRONT ASSEMBLY, FAULT DIAGNOSIS HINTS. *YC | |
| 3811932 Feb 1998 | Unknown Or Other | INFORMATION ON ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF LOW OIL LEVEL. *TT | |
| 2601803ED2 Jan 1998 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SERVICE INFORMATION ON AGING COOLANT HOSE. *TT | |
| 383 Sep 1997 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE / WARRANTY BROADCAST FOR PREPARING ALARM ECM FOR WARRANTY RETURN. *TT | |
| 8111711 Sep 1997 | Structure | SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING POOR ADHESION BETWEEN REAR WINDOW AND TOP FABRIC. *TT | |
| 870 Aug 1997 | Visibility | TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON CORRECT INSTALLATION OF FAN SPEED CONTROLLER. *TT | |
| 211 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | TEMPERATURE SENDING UNITS FOR REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEADS FOR VEHICLES WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINE. *JD | |
| 210 Feb 1997 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CYLINDER HEAD BOLT TIGHTENING TORQUE. *JD | |
| 870 Feb 1997 | Electrical System | ELECTRONIC ANTIFROST THERMOSTAT. *JD | |
| 811 Feb 1997 | Visibility | ADDRESSING COMPLAINT OF WATER LEAKS FROM AREA AROUND DOOR MIRROR. *JD | |
| 100 Feb 1997 | Unknown Or Other | NEW ESSENTIAL SPECIAL TOOL: TERMINAL REPAIR KIT. *JD | |
| 524 Jan 1997 | Unknown Or Other | PEDAL RAISING KIT. *JD | |
| 01/970731 Jan 1997 | Power Train | ADJUSTMENT OF BEARING TENSION. *TW | |
| 10/960716 Oct 1996 | Structure | IMPROVING TOP STACK OPERATION BY INSTALLING NEW STYLE FIFTH BOW LATCH MOTOR RACKS. *TW | |
| 12/950653 Dec 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | REPLACING CAMSHAFT DRIVE BELT AND WATER PUMP. *SD | |
| 11/95381 Nov 1995 | Unknown Or Other | LOW OIL LEVEL MESSAGE ON SAAB INFORMATION DISPLAY. *SD | |
| 10/950629 Oct 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | SERVICE KIT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED TO ADDRESS A CUSTOMER COMPLIANT OF ENGINE VIBRATION IN DRIVE AT IDLE. AFFECTS 1994095 900 MODELS WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. | |
| 10/950619 Oct 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CORRECTING A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE SYNCHROMESH SLEEVES. *SD | |
| DET914995 Jun 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IMPROVED CYLINDER BLOCKS. *TW | |
| CAMP406 Jun 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT A NUMBER OF 1994 900 5-DOOR MODELS AND 1995 900 CONVERTIBLE MODELS EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES THE BELT TENSIONER MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ALIGNED. | |
| 06/950590 Jun 1995 | Structure | NOISE FROM THE RIGHT-HAND A-PILLAR AREA MAY BE CAUSED BY A BRACKET COMING IN CONTACT WITH EITHER THE INNER FENDER OR FIREWALL. *TW | |
| 05/950579 May 1995 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CORRECTING COMPLAINT O EXHAUST VIBRATION CAUSED BY BROKEN CATALYST SUPPORT BRACKET. *TW | |
| 05/950581 May 1995 | Visibility | NEW WINDSHIELD WASHER NOZZLES HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED THAT PROVIDE ADJUSTABILITY TO THE WASHER STREAM. *TW | |
| 12/940529 Dec 1994 | Power Train | SEAL ON GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT MAY LEAK. *TW |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 7 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Saab 900 →