Saab 9000 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
88 owner complaints analyzed
13 distinct recall campaigns
100,350 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 1998 model years. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 88 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 17 | 19.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 4 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Electrical System: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Fuses And Circuit Breakers: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm): 4
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 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 5
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 72 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 28 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 11 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 10 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2006 | 4 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
1995: 28; 1996: 10; 2000: 11; 2001: 7; 2002: 10; 2003: 5; 2004: 8; 2006: 4; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2012: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 7 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 858984 · 2000-03-22 (March 22, 2000)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 858984 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967784 · 1995-06-27 (June 27, 1995)
THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED, AND PRIOR TO THAT THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN APPLIED, DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969012 · 1995-07-18 (July 18, 1995)
THE ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION CAUSED THE IGNITION TO ALMOST GO OUT. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969012 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969669 · 1995-08-01 (August 1, 1995)
CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE FROM UNDER THE HOOD FROM THE WIRING HARNESS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 970521 · 1995-08-14 (August 14, 1995)
THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWO TIMES PURCHASE CAR NEW ONLY CAN DRIVE IN REVERSE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 970521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10170260 · 2006-10-09 (October 9, 2006)
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY LIFE.. I HAVE HAD ABOUT SEVEN.. AND WOULD NEVER BUY A SAAB. THE TRANSMISSION WENT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO THE ABS BRAKES FAILS. THE STEERING IS MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP..ECT...EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR I FEEL LIKE IT'S A DEATH TRAP. THIS IS THE 9000 CD NON TURBO BY THE WAY...JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LET THE NEXT GUY KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME. I HAVE PUT ALMOST 5,…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170260 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 482213 · 1995-03-15 (March 15, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN ENGINE WAS COLD AND OPERATING AT LOW SPEEDS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482213 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489144 · 1995-04-17 (April 17, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489144 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 486246 · 1995-05-11 (May 11, 1995)
FUEL LINE LEAK UNDER VENT OF FUEL TANK AND NEAR CENTER OF UNDER CARRIAGE. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 486246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738066 · 2000-12-20 (December 20, 2000)
ETS SENDS CAR INTO LIMP HOME MODE MAKING CAR VERY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. BRAKING SYSTEM HYDRUALICS ARE CONTROLED BY THIS UNIT AND ARE LIMITED. CAR STICKS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. SAAB HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE IT. ABS HAS 4 SENSORS ON THIS MODEL 2 FRONT 2 REAR THE 2 IN THE REAR ARE HYDRAULIC AND HAS A PRESSURE SWITCH THE SWITCH GOES WHACKY AND GIVES FALSE READINGS..... THUS PUTTING MY ABS DUMBY LIGHT ON IN MY DASH. HAS A GAS PEDAL POTEINTIOMETER THAT IS VERY TEMPERMENTAL THUS GIVING BAD CODES AND CAUSING MY CAR TO GO HAYW…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738066 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 3 |
| 1989 | 3 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 5 |
| 1994 | 4 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
1986: 2; 1987: 1; 1988: 3; 1989: 3; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 4; 1993: 5; 1994: 4; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 1; 1998: 1