1986 Saab 900: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
7 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
203,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 7 complaints (42.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 14.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 14.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 14.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 1 |
| Tires | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Fuel System, Other: 1; Seats: 1; Suspension:Multiple Axle: 1; Tires: 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 | 1 |
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: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 2; 1996: 2; 2000: 1; 2001: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 0 · 2001-01-28 (January 28, 2001)
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE TACHOMETER TO DROP AND THE STEERING TO BECOME HEAVY YET THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY, AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER THE POWER RETURNS BEFORE THE CAR STOPS, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 0 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10037006 · 2003-09-01 (September 1, 2003)
MY 1986 , 8 VALVE, 2.0 LITER SAAB 900 STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER AND WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS AT LEAST 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER,DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 203,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10037006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501917 · 1996-02-26 (February 26, 1996)
WATER PUMP REPLACED DUE TO LEAK. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735910 · 2000-11-07 (November 7, 2000)
I AM AWARE OF THE TIRE RECALL AND QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER MANUFACTURERS. I PURCHASED A SAAB IN 1986 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED WITHIN 15,000, INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT AT 65 MPH. I SENT ONE FO THE TIRES BACK TO PIRELLI FOR EXAMINATION. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO MNAUFACTURING FLAW THAT CAUSED THE SEPARATION. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY 4 NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES COULD ALL SEPARATE WITHOUT A DEFECT. I REALIZE THIS IS AN OLD COMPLAINT BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT OTHER TIRE COMPANIES A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802779 · 1996-09-23 (September 23, 1996)
THE CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962850 · 1995-03-29 (March 29, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS FAILED, INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN STOPPED. HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND OTHER FAILURES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 971653 · 1995-09-06 (September 6, 1995)
CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED WIRING AND SENT SMOKE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 971653 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
86V057000 · Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Reported: 1986-04-28 (April 28, 1986)
THE BOLT IN THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN U-JOINT CLAMP MAY HAVE BEEN OVER TORQUED AND MAY BREAK. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: A BROKEN U-JOINT CLAMP MAY ALLOW THE STEERING SHAFT TO PULL OUT OF THE JOINT AND RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: REPLACE AND PROPERLY TORQUE BOLT.
NHTSA campaign record ↗87V013000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1987-02-10 (February 10, 1987)
THE FUEL HOSE BETWEEN THE PRESSURE REGULATOR AND THE INJECTOR FUEL RAIL MAY RUPTURE DUE TO STRESS.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A FUEL LEAK AND POSSIBLY A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL HOSE WITH NEW PREFORMED PLASTIC HOSE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗