1988 Saab 900: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 16.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 16.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 1 |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor | 1 |
Power Train: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And Cable: 1; Seats: 1; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 1; Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Fan/Motor: 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. 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 | 3 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 1 |
1995: 3; 1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2001: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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 481225 · 1995-02-13 (February 13, 1995)
LOCATION OF DEFROSTER VENTS PREVENT WINDSHIELD FROM DEFROSTING ENTIRELY. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481225 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481590 · 1995-02-20 (February 20, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING, ALSO VEHICLE WON'T START. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 735839 · 2000-11-06 (November 6, 2000)
DRIVER'S SEAT ANCHORING BRACKET WHICH ATTACHES TO SEAT BASE BROKE AWAY FROM THE ATTACHMENT BOLT. ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE ON MOST PRE-1990 MODELS AS STATED BY MECHANIC WHO SPECIALIZES IN SAAB REPAIRS. MECHANIC STATES THAT THIS ISSUE INVOLVES THE GEARING MECHANISM WITHIN THE ODOMETER.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 735839 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 738820 · 2001-01-05 (January 5, 2001)
FRONT LEFT CONTROL ARM BROKE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND CAUSING DAMAGE TO SHOCK, WHEEL BEARING AND C.V. JOINT. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 738820 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965468 · 1995-05-17 (May 17, 1995)
SPEEDOMETER KEEPS BREAKING; REPLACED SIX TIMES WITHIN 6 YEARS; DOES NOT GIVE ACCURATE READINGS; UNSAFE DRIVING. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965468 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978474 · 1996-01-31 (January 31, 1996)
IN THE WINTER TIME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE FREEZES UP . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978474 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.
88V149000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 1988-09-07 (September 7, 1988)
BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
Consequence: IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS SHOULD FAIL, LOWERFRONT CONTROL ARM COULD COME LOOSE LEADING TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AFRONT WHEEL.
Remedy: REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗88V173000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash
Reported: 1988-11-01 (November 1, 1988)
WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.
NHTSA campaign record ↗