Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Saab 900, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system11
- Power train10
- Engine and engine cooling9
- Fuel system, gasoline6
- Air bags5
- Equipment5
- Vehicle speed control3
- Steering3
- Exterior lighting3
- Visibility2
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 1996 Saab 900 failed the safety check 2.46% of the time — 68% more often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 112,810 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Engines
The most common engines in 1996 Saab 900 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.3 petrol (110 kW, 148 hp), 2.0 petrol (96 kW, 129 hp) and 2.0 petrol (136 kW, 182 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.3 petrol | 110 kW 148 hp | 97 |
| 2.0 petrol | 96 kW 129 hp | 93 |
| 2.0 petrol | 136 kW 182 hp | 41 |
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
265 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 49% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen106
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde77
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse51
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)37
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld36
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect35
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt35
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm30
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
78 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 380 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
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 181 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 62% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 22.7% | 16.1% |
| Brakes | 10.5% | 11.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.3% | 9.7% |
| Suspension | 7.7% | 11.5% |
| Visibility | 7.2% | 6.7% |
| Tyres | 5.5% | 3.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
80 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 266,000 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
4 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 10 variants: combined 11.8–12.2 L/100 km (about 19–20 mpg US), CO₂ 271–281 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 900 S Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| 900 SE Convertible Turbo · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| 900 SE Turbo · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.7 | 9.4 | 11.8 |
| 900 S · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 9.4 | 11.9 |
| 900 S Convertible · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 13.9 | 9.4 | 11.9 |
| 900 S · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.5 | 12.1 |
| 900 S Convertible · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 14.3 | 9.5 | 12.1 |
| 900 S · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.8 | 12.2 |
| 900 SE · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.8 | 12.2 |
| 900 SE Convertible · Subcompact · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 9.8 | 12.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 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… |
| 1996070 7 May 1996 | Seats And Restraints NOTE: 5 DOOR VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 210 - SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES. VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NON HEAT TREATED OUTBOA… |
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.
DURING STATIC TESTING OF BELT ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE OUTBOARD ATTACHMENT PLATE BEING USED IN THE TESTING DEFORMED AND DETACHED FROM THE SEAT ANCHORAGE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
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 1996 Saab 900: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 619558 | SUBJECT REGARDING REPLACEMENT OF SRS WIRING HARNESS. *TT |
| 618667 | CONCERNS WITH CLUNKING / SNAPPING NOISE HEARD WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL. *TT |
| 610141 | INFORMATION ON REPLACING CONNECTING TAB ON ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW. *TT |
| 608359 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT IRRITATING ROAD AND WIND NOISE PENETRATING INTO THE CABIN THROUGH THE COVER AT THE TOP OF THE B-PILLAR. *TT |
| 608358 | CONCERNS WITH CRACKS IN SOFT TOP COVER FOIL STRIP. *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 |
| 607546 | INFORMATION ON DELETING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AT CUSTOMER' REQUEST. *TT |
| 607545 | INFORMATION ON ADDRESSING CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF LOW OIL LEVEL. *TT |
| 607534 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE SEAL AROUND THE FRONT DIRECTION INDICATORS / LIGHT CLUSTER CAN COME LOOSE. *TT |
| 604283 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE SOFT TOP (TONNEAU) COVER LATCHES MAY NOT OPEN FULLY OR FAST ENOUGH WHEN THE SOFT TOP COVER IS BEING OPENED. *TT |
| 604140 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON DIAGNOSING CODES P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304. *TT |
| 604130 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BROADCAST ON CORRECT INSTALLATION OF FAN SPEED CONTROLLER. *TT |
| 604049 | SERVICE INFORMATION DESCRIBING FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF REMOTE CONTROL FUNCTION FOR ANIT-THEFT ALARM. *YC |
| 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 |
| 602974 | INFORMATION ON DELETING DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AT CUSTOMER' REQUEST. *YC |
| 602949 | PROCEDURES FOR REPAIR AND UPDATING OF ISAT. *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 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
NEW WHEEL BOLTS
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation