1979 Saab 900: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1979 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 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 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 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 | 1 |
2001: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 741504 · 2001-02-25 (February 25, 2001)
THIS IS IMPORTANT: THE RT PASS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD MY WIFE IN A HEAD ON CRASH, AND SOMEBODY REMOVED THE CAR FROM SALVAGE YARD QUICKLY, INC CO AND YARD OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHO TOOK IT BEFORE INVESTIGATION COULD BE MADE ON BELT FAILURE..SUSPECT SAAB HAD IT PICKED UP IN 7 DAYS AFTER ACCIDENT...WONDER IF THIS IS A PATTERN WHERE THAY TRIED TO HIDE WRECK FROM INVESTIGATION?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741504 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
79V099000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
Reported: 1979-04-17 (April 17, 1979)
THE HEADLAMP RELAY MAY FAIL IN SUCH A WAY AS TO CAUSE THE HEADLAMPS TO FAIL TO SWITCH FROM LOW TO HIGH BEAM (OR VICE VERSA) WHEN THE CONTROL SWITCH IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE HEADLAMPS MAY SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY OR COMPLETELY.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HEADLAMP RELAY, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗79V206000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1979-09-14 (September 14, 1979)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS AMBIENT HUMIDITY AND VEHICLE PRE-CONDITIONING BY REPEATED COLD START, AND SHORT TRIP DRIVING CYCLES IN COMBINATION WITH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, THERE EXISTS THE POSSIBILITY FOR ICE TO FORM IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING AND TEMPORARILY IMPEDE FULL CLOSURE OF THE THROTTLE PLATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. THIS ICE BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CAUSE HESITATION IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE PREHEATING OF INCOMING AIR IN COLD WEATHER. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗79V230000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:Cables
Reported: 1979-10-19 (October 19, 1979)
THE INSULATION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY POSSIBLY MELT OR BECOME BRITTLE DUE TO THE HIGH TEMPERATURES WHICH MAY BE GENERATED IN THE VICINITY OF THE CABLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE "B+" CABLE (POSITIVE CABLE FROM STARTER), ADD PROTECTIVE SLEEVES OVER THE STARTER WIRING HARNESS, AND INSTALL A NEW HEAT GUARD FOR THE BATTERY, WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗83V068000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 1983-07-14 (July 14, 1983)
A PROBLEM RELATING TO THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET ATTACHMENT COULD CAUSE LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION OIL. TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF PROPER OIL LUBRICATION.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET WITH ONE THAT ATTACHES TO THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKET WILL ALSO BE REPLACED, USING SCREWS INSTEAD OF STUDS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗