1997 SAAB 900

3 recalls — 27 complaints

98V139000 Jun 23, 1998
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ALERT LABEL TO BE INSTALLED ON THE VISIBLE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SUN VISOR. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
39,313 vehicles affected
98V038000 Feb 24, 1998
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AIMING INSTRUCTIONS, AND DIRECTIONS FOR AFFIXING THESE INSERTS TO THE OWNER GUIDES. IF AN OWNER SO DESIRES, A DEALER CAN AFFIX THE INSERTS IN THEIR OWNER GUIDE FOR THEM.
92,505 vehicles affected
97V046000 Mar 21, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
52,500 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS Aug 4, 2014
I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR
AIR BAGS Oct 15, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE May 24, 2009
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO- DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE FAILURE CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL IN MIDDLE OF ROAD. *TR
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Oct 1, 2008
MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Oct 1, 2008
MY DRIVER SIDE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE, MASSACHUSETTS WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO IT BEING A SAFETY HAZARD. WE TOOK THE DOOR APART FIXED THE DOOR AND THEN TESTED THE LOCKS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL WORK. IT WAS THEN THAT THE DEADLOCK WAS ENGAGED. WE REALIZED THAT LAST NIGHT IF A CHILD WAS IN THE CAR THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LET THEMSELVES OUT OF THE CAR NOR CAN YOU GET IN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS FEATURE FAILING AND NOT RELEASING FROM A KEY. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE Jul 17, 2006
FAILURE IN 1997 SAAB 900 SE OF DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR YEAR MODEL 2000-2002, BUT EARLIER MODEL YEARS FAIL TOO. *JB
AIR BAGS Feb 5, 2006
RE: SAAB 900 1997. UPON TURNING THE IGNITION KEY IN AN ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE SEAT BELTS TENSIONED. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN AND THE RADIO POPPED OUT OF THE DASH. THIS IS EVENT IS VERY MUCH ALIKE TO DEFECTS DESCRIBED IN RECALLS OF SAAB 900 1995 AND 1998 MODEL YEARS. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A REPORT AT SAAB. SAAB HAS INFORMED ME THAT AT THIS TIME THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE. *JB
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY Sep 9, 2005
THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY May 27, 2005
DURING AN EXTREMELY HARD STOP AND SWERVE TO AVOID A VEHICLE PULLING OUT OF IT'S LANE, THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT POPPED OUT OF ITS HARNESS AND THE PASENGER WAS PROPELLED IN TO THE DASH.THE SEATBELT WAS PROPERLY SECURED, AND AFTERWARDS WE WERE UNABLE OT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BY PULLING HARD ON THE SEATBELT.
1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST Apr 20, 2005
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO 2.0, CAR BEGAN TO STALL, AND WOULD ONLY RESTART ONCE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE KEYS REMOVED. STALLING CONTINUED RANDOMLY AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLED AT HIGH SPEEDS - THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT, POWER AND ABS BRAKES - IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED AND ALL POWER CUT TO THE CAR.*AK FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (ELECTRICAL PORTION BELOW KEYS) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, STALLING FIXED. CAR BASICALLY THOUGHT THE KEYS WERE BEING REMOVED (THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE BAD AND WOULD CUT ON AND OFF). ~$400 AFTER PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE SWITCH, HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF A DANGEROUS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Apr 20, 2005
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO 2.0, CAR BEGAN TO STALL, AND WOULD ONLY RESTART ONCE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE KEYS REMOVED. STALLING CONTINUED RANDOMLY AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLED AT HIGH SPEEDS - THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT, POWER AND ABS BRAKES - IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED AND ALL POWER CUT TO THE CAR.*AK FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (ELECTRICAL PORTION BELOW KEYS) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, STALLING FIXED. CAR BASICALLY THOUGHT THE KEYS WERE BEING REMOVED (THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE BAD AND WOULD CUT ON AND OFF). ~$400 AFTER PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE SWITCH, HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF A DANGEROUS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM Apr 20, 2005
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO 2.0, CAR BEGAN TO STALL, AND WOULD ONLY RESTART ONCE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE KEYS REMOVED. STALLING CONTINUED RANDOMLY AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLED AT HIGH SPEEDS - THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT, POWER AND ABS BRAKES - IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED AND ALL POWER CUT TO THE CAR.*AK FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (ELECTRICAL PORTION BELOW KEYS) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, STALLING FIXED. CAR BASICALLY THOUGHT THE KEYS WERE BEING REMOVED (THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE BAD AND WOULD CUT ON AND OFF). ~$400 AFTER PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE SWITCH, HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF A DANGEROUS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Apr 20, 2005
1997 SAAB 900 SE TURBO 2.0, CAR BEGAN TO STALL, AND WOULD ONLY RESTART ONCE BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE KEYS REMOVED. STALLING CONTINUED RANDOMLY AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT STALLED AT HIGH SPEEDS - THE POWER STEERING CUT OUT, POWER AND ABS BRAKES - IT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED AND ALL POWER CUT TO THE CAR.*AK FAULTY IGNITION SWITCH (ELECTRICAL PORTION BELOW KEYS) REQUIRED REPLACEMENT, STALLING FIXED. CAR BASICALLY THOUGHT THE KEYS WERE BEING REMOVED (THE ELECTRICAL CONTACTS ON THE IGNITION SWITCH WERE BAD AND WOULD CUT ON AND OFF). ~$400 AFTER PARTS AND LABOR TO REPLACE SWITCH, HAD TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELLY DUE TO HIGH RISK OF A DANGEROUS FAILURE AT HIGH SPEEDS.
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY Sep 17, 2004
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 1997 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE - THE CLUTCH CABLE HAS BROKEN 3 TIMES IN 3 YEARS. EACH TIME, I HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD ONLY TO HAVE THE CABLE SNAP AND THE CLUTCH GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ON SEPT 8, 2004 - THE CABLE BROKE FOR THE 3RD TIME - MY 5 YEAR OLD AND I WERE ON THE HIGHWAY - NARROWLY ESCAPING A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURING. MY IMPORT MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SAAB MANUFACTURER WHO ATTRIBUTES IT TO A POOR DESIGN. EACH FIX IS COSTING - $300 FOR LABOR AND PARTS AS WELL AS THE USE OF A RENTAL CAR FOR 1 WEEK BECAUSE OF A LONG DELAY IN GETTING PARTS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I AM PURCHASING ANOTHER CAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY CHILD. HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY SAAB (FOR SUNNY DAYS) AS WELL. IS SAAB ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE? APPARENTLY THERE IS A PLASTIC PART AT THE END OF THE CABLE WHICH SNAPS OFF BECAUSE IT CAN'T TAKE THE CONSTANT PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! WHAT IS THE FIX?*AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES Apr 2, 2004
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. *PH WHILE LOOKING AT THE NHTSA WEBSITE, THE CONSUMER SAW THAT THE PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL (97V-046000). IT APPEARED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE ON THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE PRIOR TO HIM PURCHASING IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT IT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER TO MAKE SURE THE RECALL WAS DONE. *NM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Dec 12, 2003
INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED TRANSMISSION CABLE TWICE IN ONE WEEK. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 13, 2003
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED, WHEN THE CONSUMER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT DID NOT WORK. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND HAS NOT SEEN THE VEHICLE. PH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES Nov 14, 2002
MY CONCERN IS NOT ABOUT MY CAR. MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE TYPE OF BRIGHT BLUE/WHITE HEADLAMPS (HALOGEN?) THAT I SEE WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY. I DO A LOT OF HIGHWAY DRIVING, AND WHETHER IN THE CITY OR IN LESS WELL LIT AREAS. WHEN A CAR WITH THESE HEADLIGHTS APPROACHES ME THE EFFECT IS LIKE HAVING FLASHBULBS GO OFF IN FRONT OF MY EYES. I'M LITERALLY BLINDED AND INSTANTLY BECOME A COMPROMISED DRIVER. THE EFFECT IS ONLY SOMEWHAT DIMINISHED WHEN A CAR WITH THESE HEADLAMPS IS BEHIND ME. I CAN SWITCH MY REARVIEW MIRROR TO NIGHT BUT CAN'T DO MUCH ABOUT THE SIDEVIEW MIRRORS. I'VE TAKEN AN INFORMAL POLL WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND THE GREATER PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE HAVE A SIMILAR RESPONSE TO MINE. MY EYE DOCTOR SAID THAT PEOPLE WITH FAIR SKIN AND LIGHT EYES (LIKE ME) HAVE A MUCH GREATER SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT. HELP! I DON'T WANT TO BE AN UNSAFE DRIVER AND I FEEL DEFENSELESS AGAINST THESE PIERCING LIGHTS! THANK YOU. DT
STRUCTURE:BODY Jan 9, 2002
BOTH SUNVISORS BROKE WIHTIN THREE MONTHS. PLASTIC ATTACHMENT FAILED. SAFETY HAZARD FOR DRIVER WITH SUN AT LOW ANGLE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. MANUFACTURER HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR FAILURE.*AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST Nov 20, 2000
VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER SINCE OCTOBER WAITING FOR A PART TO COME IN TO FIX POWER ADJUSTING SEAT. DEALER SAID THERE WAS A NATIONWIDE NEED FOR THE PART. ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER WAS RETOOLING THE PART TO SUPPLY SAAB MANUFACTURER. ELECTRIC MOTOR ON BOTH SIDES MALFUNCTIONED. CABLES MALFUNCTIONED SO THEY COULDN'T BE MOVED. IT WAS REQUIRED AND NEEDED TO BE A CONVERTIBLE.*AK *SLC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE May 24, 2000
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. Apr 2, 1999
CD PLAYER FAILED. *YC
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST Apr 1, 1999
DRIVER'S SEAT RELAY KEEPS FALLING OUT CAUSING SEAT TO NOT MOVE. *YC
WHEELS:RIM Feb 18, 1999
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE RIMS FIVE TIMES. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE GOES TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
SUSPENSION Feb 18, 1999
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE RIMS FIVE TIMES. WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE GOES TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. *AK
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD Feb 9, 1999
WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES, WINDSHIELD IS ABNORMALLY PITTED AND SCRATCHED. THIS CAUSES INCREASED GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT DURING DAYTIME, OR GLARE FROM ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT. *AK
WHEELS Oct 20, 1998
DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM WHEELS FAILED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THEY BENT FROM THESE CONDITION. THE DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED AND SAID THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THESE WHEELS. *AK