1998 Saab 900 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
96,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 18 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit | 1 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 6; Air Bags: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Air Bags:Side/Window: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger: 1; Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Flasher Unit: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
2001: 3; 2002: 1; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10131011 · 2005-08-02 (August 2, 2005)
1998 SAAB 900SE CONVERTIBLE - HAS HAD A CHRONIC PROBLEM 1YR+ OF VEHICLE ABRUPTLY STALLING WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. USUALLY COULD BE RESTARTED AFTER A MINUTE, BUT NOW IS DIFFICULT TO RE-START ONCE IT STALLS. THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AS WELL AND IS DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO CONTROL WHEN STALLS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES 10+ RETURNS; VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED AND/OR REPLACED. SENSORS, MAIN COMPUTER CHIP, REWIRING, ETC.. THE PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND IS GETTING MUCH WORSE. THE V…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10131011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184358 · 2007-03-06 (March 6, 2007)
CHRONIC, ABRUPT STALLING PROBLEMS FOR 3+ YEARS. DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TO REPAIR ON AT LEAST, 15+ OCCASIONS. DEALERSHIP HAD IT AT THEIR FACILITY FOR OVER 3 MONTHS ONE PERIOD, CONDUCTING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. PARTS CHANGED: SENSORS; MULTIPLE TIMES, WIRING HARNESS, "MAIN COMPUTER CHIP" AND VARIOUS OTHER PARTS. THE CAR ABRUPTLY STALLS. IT WILL STALL AT ANYTIME - WHETHER DRIVING, COASTING, AT A STOP, OR ON THE EXPRESSWAY. IT WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE ROADSIDE MULTIPLE TIMES OVER AND OVER WITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184358 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121692 · 2005-05-20 (May 20, 2005)
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A 1998 900 SAAB SINCE IT WAS NEW. IT HAD ABOUT 155,500 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED BELOW. RECENTLY, I WAS GOING TO REMOVE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPRIGHTS TO REPLACE THE SHOCK ABSORBER INSERTS. AFTER REMOVING THE WHEEL ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE "STEERING PIVOT ARM" (A HOLLOW CLAM-SHELL STAMPING WELDED TO THE UPRIGHT) WAS SO SEVERELY RUSTED OUT THAT I COULD ACTUALLY SLIP MY HAND INSIDE THE ARM. (APPROXIMATELY, 1/2 OF ITS TOTAL SURFACE AREA WAS GONE AND FATIGUE CRACKS WERE DEVELOPING IN THE R…
Owner-reported narrative. 155,285 miles reported. Look up ODI 10121692 at NHTSA ↗