1989 Saab 900: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
85,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 13 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 15.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 1 |
Seat Belts: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 12 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 | 4 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 4; 1996: 3; 2000: 3; 2001: 1; 2002: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10151828 · 2006-03-05 (March 5, 2006)
ALTERNATOR, CARBURETOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DRAINING OF POWER ; NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM, THE AUTO HAS SAT NOW FOR TWO YEARS BECAUSE I WAS TIRED OF POURING MONEY INTO IT ONLY TO HAVE IT UNABLE TO REPAIRED PROPERLY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151828 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483726 · 1995-09-06 (September 6, 1995)
SEALING COLLAR/INNER DRIVE/DRIVE MOUNTS FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483726 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484065 · 1995-07-17 (July 17, 1995)
WINDOW LIFT FAILED. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484065 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 490699 · 1995-08-04 (August 4, 1995)
REPLACED RIGHT DOOR LOCK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 490699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502287 · 1996-01-02 (January 2, 1996)
WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *DH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502287 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503060 · 1996-03-28 (March 28, 1996)
DRIVERS MOTORBELT STUCK IN CENTER OF TRACK, PASSENGERS MOTORBELT FAILED. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503060 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 720555 · 2000-03-24 (March 24, 2000)
THE DEALER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM IS COMMON BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ANY PROBLEM THAT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLE IS NOT COMMON. HAD I BEEN TRAVELLING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND MY FAMILY WOULD BE WONDERING WHAT HAPPEND. MAJOR SUSPENSION PARTS, SUCH AS THE FRONT LEFT LOWER CONTROL ARM, SHOULD NOT BREAK. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 720555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722265 · 2000-05-04 (May 4, 2000)
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WENT, AND COST ABOUT 1600 CANADIAN. MANUFACTURER DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722265 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.
88V185000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1988-11-28 (November 28, 1988)
FUEL FILTER MAY NOT MEET THE SPECIFICATION CONCERNING LEAKAGE CRITERIA DUE TO LOW TEMPERATURE DURING THE GLUING PROCESS.
Consequence: FUEL FILTER MAY LEAK CREATING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD.
Remedy: REPLACE FUEL FILTER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗89V104000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Reported: 1989-06-27 (June 27, 1989)
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A REVERSE CURRENT MIGHT FLOW THROUGH A WIRE CABLE BETWEEN THE AIR RECIRCULATION SWITCH AND A MICROSWITCH.
Consequence: HEATER FAN RESISTOR WOULD OVERHEAT AND SMOKE IN THEPASSENGER COMPARTMENT HEATING SYSTEM, CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND BREATHING HAZARDSTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS.
Remedy: DISCONNECT ELECTRICAL WIRE CABLE AND SECURE BY TAPE AROUND CABLE HARNESS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗