1996 Saab 900 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
26 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
99,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 26 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 26.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 15.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 3; Air Bags: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 20 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
1996: 3; 2000: 4; 2001: 3; 2002: 7; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 555074 · 2000-09-21 (September 21, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED CLUTCH PROBLEM AND A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, CONSUMER WANTS REIMBURSEMENT. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 555074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 739164 · 2001-01-10 (January 10, 2001)
SAAB CARS USA REFUSES TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I HAVE HAD THE CLUTCH PLATE EXAMINED BY SPECIALISTS AND THEY ALL THINK THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. MOST EXPERTS HAVE NEVER SEEN A CLUTCH PLATE SPLIT IN HALF LIKE THIS. THE DEBRIS FROM THE CLUTCH DISINTEGRATING BLEW INTO THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING CAUSING A HOLE. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COMPANY REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY THE CLUTCH EXPLODING. I SENT PHOTOS TO SAAB AND THREE SEPARATE LETTERS REQUESTING THEY FIX THIS PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 739164 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135288 · 2005-09-04 (September 4, 2005)
IN JUNE 2003, A CRACK WAS DISCOVERED IN THE FUEL TANK OF MY 1996 SAAB 900S. THE TANK WAS REPLACED. ON 28 JULY 2004, THE REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE A LEAK AND WAS REPLACED. ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2005, THE SECOND REPLACEMENT TANK WAS DIAGNOSED AS LEAKING.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 58,857 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507382 · 1996-08-14 (August 14, 1996)
FUEL FILTER FAILED, CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016693 · 2003-04-29 (April 29, 2003)
ON APRIL 27, 2003, MY SAAB 900 SE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING WITHIN A MINUTE HAD COMPLETELY DESTROYED THE CAR. THE "CHECK BATTERY" LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE HAZARD LIGHT. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND JUST ESCAPED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE HAD TO CALL ME TO GET THE LICENSE PLATE NUMBER AND VIN, AS THEY HAD MELTED. THE CAR HAD 72,000 MILES AND HAD BEEN CHECKED TWICE IN THE PAST YEAR. JUST MONTHS BEFORE IT HAD BEEN COMPLETELY INSPECTED. THE CAR WAS IN SHOW ROOM CONDITION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721932 · 2000-04-25 (April 25, 2000)
SAFETY ALERT COMES ON AND NEEDS DEALER SERVICE IF BATTERY DISCONNECTED. CANNOT TELL IF AIRBAG WORKS - REQUIRES DEALER SERVICE TO CORRECT EACH TIME. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10130620 · 2005-07-29 (July 29, 2005)
PRIOR TO DI FAILURE, STARTING IMPAIRMENT AND MISFIRES DETECTED WITH CEL. UPON FAILURE, CAR WOULD NOT RUN AND STEERING WAS LOST. TO CORRECT FAILURE, NEW DI WAS FITTED AFTER IT WAS BROKEN. SYMPTOMS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REASON ENOUGH TO CHANGE IT EARLY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130620 at NHTSA ↗