1988 SAAB 9000

3 recalls, 17 complaints - 4 TSBs

90V001000 Nov 2, 1990
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Defect Description
ABRASION ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD IN THE COMBINATION NEUTRAL SAFETY/BACKUP LAMP SWITCH OPERATED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR MAY CAUSE RESIDUE TO COLLECT IN ELECTRICAL AREA ON THE CIRCUIT CARD.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITHSMOKE AND POSSIBLY A FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA.
Remedy
ADD AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, INCLUDING A RELAY, TO THE BACKUP LAMP CIRCUIT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT THAT CAN FLOW THROUGH THE COMBINATION SWITCH.
24,379 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
89V191000 Nov 6, 1989
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Description
THE ROUTING OF THE THROTTLE KICKDOWN CABLE COULD ALLOW CHAFING TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE CABLE AND ANY ONE OF THREE STEEL BRAKE FLUID LINES NEAR THE VALVE BLOCK OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE UNIT.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE; THUS, THE BRAKECIRCUIT SUPPLIED BY THAT LINE WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND RESULT IN DECREASEDBRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
CHANGE CABLE ROUTING AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT CHAFING.
14,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
88V057000 Apr 5, 1988
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE BALL CHAIN BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM REGULATOR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY CATCH ON THE VACUUM REGULATOR ATTACHMENT CLIP.
Consequence
IF THE CHAIN GETS CAUGHT THE THROTTLE COULD BE PREVENTEDFROM RETURNING TO FULLY CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
Remedy
A PLASTIC CAP WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE VACUUM REGULATOR CLIP TO COVER THE OPENINGS.
7,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

17 total complaints 3 fires

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
INTERIOR LIGHTING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Mar 22, 2000
Incident date: Feb 1, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Jan 17, 1996
Incident date: Aug 12, 1994
THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENGULF IN FLAMES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EA95-0920A. TT
Fire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Sep 11, 1995
Incident date: Mar 11, 1993
DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BURN. RESULTING IN OCCUPANTS CLOTHES CATCHING ON FIRE. ALSO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
Fire
SEATS Sep 11, 1995
Incident date: Mar 11, 1993
DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BURN. RESULTING IN OCCUPANTS CLOTHES CATCHING ON FIRE. ALSO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
Fire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER Sep 7, 1995
DRIVERS SEAT BACK IS ADJUSTABLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS BACK COLLAPSED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Jun 27, 1995
Incident date: Jun 19, 1995
THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED, AND PRIOR TO THAT THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN APPLIED, DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Jun 15, 1995
Incident date: May 1, 1995
FUEL LINE LEAK UNDER VENT OF FUEL TANK AND NEAR CENTER OF UNDER CARRIAGE. *SKD
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Oct 21, 1994
POWER ANTENNA FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Oct 21, 1994
SPEED CONTROL REGULATOR FAILED. *SKD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Oct 21, 1994
TIMING BELT CHAIN FAILED.
INTERIOR LIGHTING Mar 23, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1995
LIGHTS FREQUENTLY GO OUT ON DASH AND DASH MAKES CRACKLING NOISE, ALSO TOXIC ODOR COMING FROM DASH AREA.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Mar 23, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1995
FUEL SYSTEM SHORTS OUT.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Mar 23, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1995
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. *SKD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Mar 14, 1995
Incident date: Dec 11, 1994
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASH BOARD. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Feb 28, 1995
Incident date: Feb 19, 1993
UPON RETURNING TO PARKED CAR OWNER SMELLED SMOKE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POINT OF ORIGIN CONSOLE AREA BEHIND HEATING CONTROL/DASHBOARD ELEMENT. TT
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Feb 27, 1995
Incident date: Feb 27, 1995
POWER WINDOWS CEASE TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, NOW QUITTING ALTOGETHER. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS Feb 21, 1995
Incident date: Feb 21, 1995
FUSE BOX BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT. TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1988 SAAB 9000

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 17.0 24.0 19.0 Regular $3,300
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 15.0 22.0 18.0 Regular $3,450
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 26.0 21.0 Regular $2,950
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) 19.0 24.0 21.0 Regular $2,950

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Large Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1988 SAAB 9000

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
124100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH1
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
071000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE1
2482035 Nov 1, 1998
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BACKGROUD INFORMATION IN DIAGNOSING A DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINT OR THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. *YC
234 Sep 2, 1997
071000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
INFORMATION ON INSTALLING LARGER FUEL SYSTEM NON-RETURN VALVES. *TT
364 Feb 1, 1997
124100 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS:SWITCH
RECALL 278 - OVERHEATING OF BACK-UP LIGHT SWITCH- SAAB CARS USA, INC HAS NOTIFIED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY MAY EXIST IN CERTAIN 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 AN
01/970731 Jan 1, 1997
102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ADJUSTMENT OF BEARING TENSION. *TW

NHTSA Safety Investigations, SAAB 9000

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

SQ98006 Opened: Apr 22, 1998 , Closed: May 8, 1998
SQ, Closed , Model Year: 1993
AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES
SEE RESUME FOR DETAILS.
EA95020 Opened: Jun 30, 1995 , Closed: Jul 31, 1996
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1986
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE
There is no summary currently available
PE95009 Opened: Feb 10, 1995 , Closed: Jun 30, 1995
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES
There is no summary currently available
PE88081 Opened: Jul 6, 1988 , Closed: Aug 25, 1988
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1988
WIRE HARNESS CHAFING
SUMMARY:===
PE86064 Opened: Jul 7, 1986 , Closed: Sep 9, 1986
PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986
SEAT TRACK/BELT FAILURE
ANALYSIS:A COMPLIANCE INFORMATION REQUEST (CIR) DATED MAY 30, 1986, HASBEEN SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER.NO RESPONSE HAS AS YET BEEN RECEIVED.THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION IS INTERESTED IN LEARNING WHETHER THEFAILURE DURING TEST REPRESENTS A DEFECT IN DESIGN, MATERIAL OR MANUFACTUREWHICH MANIFESTS... Read more

SAAB 9000 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the SAAB 9000 across all model years (1986, 1998).

26 Total Recalls
197 Total Complaints
5 Investigations
5 Reported Crashes
17 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

SAAB 9000 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1998 1 1 View
1997 1 8 View
1996 0 23 View
1995 0 10 View
1994 4 20 View
1993 5 34 View
1992 4 32 View
1991 1 11 View
1990 1 8 View
1989 3 24 View
1988 (current) 3 17
1987 1 5 View
1986 2 3 View

Other SAAB Models

Model Recalls Complaints
9-3 47 1,689 View
900 44 552 View
99 31 0 View
9-5 30 662 View
9-7X 16 237 View
9-2X 11 148 View
96 11 0 View
95 10 62 View