vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

1997 Saab 900 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

17 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

111,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 17 complaints (11.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation211.8%
Braking behavior211.8%
Transmission and shifting15.9%
Electrical and battery issues15.9%
Steering behavior15.9%

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.

Air Bags
2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module
1
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices
1
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
Latches/Locks/Linkages
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags2
Power Train:Clutch Assembly2
Electrical System:Ignition:Module1
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Latches/Locks/Linkages1

Air Bags: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:Concealment Devices: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Latches/Locks/Linkages: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
2
100,000 to 149,999
7
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9992
75,000 to 99,9992
100,000 to 149,9997
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 0

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 6 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.

2000
2
2001
1
2002
1
2003
2
2004
2
2005
3
2006
2
2008
1
2009
1
2012
1
2014
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20002
20011
20021
20032
20042
20053
20062
20081
20091
20121
20141

2000: 2; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 2; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2012: 1; 2014: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 10118144 · 2005-04-20 (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 BA…

Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118144 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10269828 · 2009-05-24 (May 24, 2009)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 107,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269828 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003689 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED, WHEN THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT WORK. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAS NOT SEEN THE VEHICLE. PH

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003689 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10050456 · 2003-12-12 (December 12, 2003)

INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED TRANSMISSION CABLE TWICE IN ONE WEEK. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10050456 at NHTSA ↗