Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1994 Saab 900, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Power train10
- Electrical system9
- Vehicle speed control7
- Service brakes, hydraulic6
- Unknown or other4
- Suspension4
- Visibility4
- Air bags3
- Equipment2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1994 Saab 900 failed the safety check 0.78% of the time — 41% less often than the average 1994 passenger car (1.33%). Median odometer at inspection: 124,314 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1994 Saab 900 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (104 kW, 139 hp), 2.3 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp) and 2.5 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 104 kW 139 hp | 53 |
| 2.3 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 36 |
| 2.5 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
198 first registered in 1994 are on Dutch roads; 65% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen70
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde37
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse20
- Stofhoes aandrijfas beschadigd en dicht niet af14
- Band onvoldoende profiel14
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar14
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld13
- Band beschadigd12
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
33 cars built in 1994 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 127 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
48 of these cars first registered in 1994 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 231,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
14 1994 cars are on the New Zealand register; 50% arrived as used imports, 43% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 1994 Saab 900.
| 1998163 20 Aug 1998 | Lights And Instruments THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 108 - LIGHTING SYSTEM AND RETROREFLECTIVE DEVICES. THE SECTION TITLED "HEADLAMP AIMING" WAS OMITTED FROM THE OWNER… |
| 1997099 9 May 1997 | Engine NOTE: VEHICLES WITH 4-CYLINDER ENGINES. THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHINGS IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CORRODE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND… |
| 1995136 21 Jul 1995 | Powertrain NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION INCLUDES 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLES. DEFECT: IT IS POSSIBLE UNDER CERTAIN PARKING CONDITIONS TO MOVE THE SHI… |
| 1995028 16 Feb 1995 | Seats And Restraints NOTE: 1994-95 3 AND 5 DOOR MODELS AND 1995 CONVERTIBLES. THE SEAT ASSEMBLIES MAY BE MISSING ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS THAT JOIN THE SEAT BACK RECLINER MECHA… |
| 1994127 8 Aug 1994 | Seats And Restraints On certain vehicles equipped with manually adjusted front seats, it is possible that the two (2) trigger springs mounted to the fore/aft adjustment lever on bot… |
| 1994121 29 Jul 1994 | Seats And Restraints THERE IS A RISK OF FATIGUE CRACKS AROUND THE ATTACHMENT BUSHINGS ON THE HEIGHT ADJUSTING MECHANISM IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION, T… |
| 1994105 3 Jun 1994 | Brakes THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND/OR PADS CAN BE COATED WITH A LAYER OF SLUSH, ROAD SALT OR WATER WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN A SHORT DELAY … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPERLY AIMING THE HEADLIGHTING SYSTEM WERE OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, OR, TO ACCIDENTLY DISENGAGE REVERSE BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER.
ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.
THE TWO WELD POINTS IN THE REARWARD ATTACHMENT BRACKET FOR THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION BEAM IN THE REAR DOOR MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. IF THE WELDS ARE OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLES WILL NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 214, S5, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."
TWO TRIGGER SPRINGS MOUNTED TO THE FORE/AFT ADJUSTMENT LEVER DO NOT DEVELOP SUFFICIENT FORCE TO PROPERLY LOCK THE SEAT RAILS. AFTER THE SEAT IS ADJUSTED, THIS DOES NOT ALLOW THE SEAT RAIL LOCK TO PROPERLY ENGAGE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE SEAT TO MOVE IN A SUDDEN STOP OR COLLISION.
A WELD IN THE SEAT RAILS WAS NOT MADE, INCREASING THE RISK OF FATIGUE CRACKS FORMING AROUND THE ATTACHMENT BUSHINGS ON THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM, CAUSING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE HEIGHT ADJUSTER BREAKING IN A REAR END COLLISION AND ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FOLD BACKWARDS.
THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKE DISCS AND/OR PADS SHIELDS DO NOT PROTECT THE ASSEMBLIES FROM BEING COATED WITH A LAYER OF SLUSH, ROAD SALT OR WATER WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW OR HEAVY RAIN. THIS CAN RESULT IN A DELAY IN BRAKING ACTION THAT INCREASES NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Saab told its dealers about the 1994 Saab 900: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 621491 | SERVICE INFORMATION REGARDING THE WIRING HARNESS REPAIR KIT. *TT |
| 608082 | NOTIFICATION TO STOP PERFORMING PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN SI-831-1823 TO ADDRESS A COMPLAINT OF REAR DOORS DUFFICULT TO OPEN FROM OUTSIDE ON MODELS UP TO W2019950. *TT |
| 608075 | ADDRESSING CONCERNS WITH VARIOUS TYPES OF NOISES HEARD FROM THE A/C SYSTEM. *TT |
| 607550 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF BATTERY, DISCHARGING THROUGH LIGHT SWITCH IN LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT. *TT |
| 607545 | INFORMATION ON ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF LOW OIL LEVEL. *TT |
| 607544 | SERVICE INFORMATION ON AGING COOLANT HOSE. *TT |
| 607534 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE FRONT DIRECTION INDICATORS / LIGHT CLUSTER CAN COME LOOSE. *TT |
| 604280 | COMPLAINTS OF VIBRATION FROM CABIN FAN MOTOR. *TT |
| 604135 | INFORMATION ON HOW TO OPERATE OUTSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLES. *TT |
| 604130 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON CORRECT INSTALLATION OF FAN SPEED CONTROLLER. *TT |
| 603361 | CONCERNS WITH LOOSE SEAL AROUND FRONT DIRECTION INDICTORS. *YC |
| 603360 | CONCERNS WITH NUTS ON REAR WINDOW AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS COME LOOSE. *YC |
| 603060 | SRS (AIRBAG) DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES MISSING FROM WORKSHOP INFORMATION. *YC |
| 603058 | COMPLAINTS OF NOISE ON DECELERATION IN 1994 AND LATER MODELS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *YC |
| 602950 | SERVICE INFORMATION ON WIRING HARNESS REPAIR KIT. *YC |
| 602948 | IMPROVED BUSH AND GEAR LINKAGE. *YC |
| 602797 | REMANUFACTURED AISIN AW TRANSMISSION, NO REVERSE AND / OR ERRATIC SHIFTS. *YC |
| 602371 | ADDRESSING ENGINE NOISE COMPLAINTS. *YC |
| 602370 | ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS OF NOISY A/C. *YC |
| 602369 | COMPLAINTS REGARDING NOISY OR HARD TO OPERATE TELESCOPIC STEERING ACTION. *YC |
| 602305 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT SEAT BACKREST DIFFICULT TO TIP FORWARD. *YC |
| 602299 | CONCERNS WHEN ANTENNA FAILS TO GO UP / DOWN COMPLETELY ON VEHICLES WITHIN V2037949 AND V7010251. *YC |
| 600950 | EXPERIENCING NOISE FROM FRONT ASSEMBLY, FAULT DIAGNOSIS HINTS. *YC |
| 600947 | A CUSTOMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING BATTERY, DISCHARGING THROUGH LIGHT SWITCH IN LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT. *YC |
| 52448 | ADJUSTMENT OF BEARING TENSION. *TW |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
NEW WHEEL BOLTS
AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation