VehicleVerdict

1994 Saab 900 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.3 times the median 900 year — the 1994 model ranks #2 of 23 900 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (16), electrical system (12), and transmission (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

88

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

3

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1994 compare to other 900 years?

900 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted159 complaints1978: 0 complaints1979: 2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 5 complaints1986: 18 complaints1987: 12 complaints1988: 18 complaints1989: 34 complaints1990: 21 complaints1991: 15 complaints1992: 25 complaints1993: 8 complaints1994: 88 complaints1995: 159 complaints1996: 78 complaints1997: 27 complaints1998: 26 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 1 complaints
900 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1994 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 900 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1994 Saab 900 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1618%
Electrical System1214%
Transmission1113%
Speed Control910%
Brakes89%
Visibility & Wipers56%
Suspension45%
Other45%
Airbags33%
Fuel System33%
Lighting33%
Seats22%
Steering22%
Body & Structure22%
Seat Belts11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Latches & Locks11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 1994 Saab 900 have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

98V038000LightingFebruary 24, 1998 · 92,505 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

IF THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES ARE REPLACED, CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY AIM THE HEADLIGHTS.

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.

97V046000Speed ControlMarch 21, 1997 · 52,500 units

Defect

CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.

Consequence

THIS BINDING CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.

95V068000TransmissionMarch 29, 1995 · 8,993 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE A SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN THE SHIFT IS MOVED TO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE REVERSE GEAR IS ACTUALLY ENGAGED.

94V226000SeatsNovember 18, 1994 · 10,584 units

Defect

ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.

Remedy

BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS WILL BE INSPECTED WITH THE USE OF A HOOK TO PULL BACK THE SEAT BACK UPHOLSTERY. FOR ANY SEAT WITH MISSING WELDS, THE SEAT BACK FRAME/RECLINER WILL BE REPLACED.

94V174000Body & StructureSeptember 14, 1994 · 9,814 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR SEATS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE COLLISION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUPPORT BRACKETS AT THE SUPPORT WELD LOCATIONS.

94V127000SeatsJuly 8, 1994 · 1,015 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN INCREASE THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO A SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE BOTH FRONT SEATS AND THE TWO SPRINGS ON EACH SEAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW SPRINGS WITH PROPER TENSION TO ENSURE PROPER ENGAGEMENT.

94V110000SeatsJune 13, 1994 · 3,252 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANTS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW FRONT SEAT FRAME RAILS.

94V074000BrakesApril 16, 1994 · 7,443 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL FRONT BRAKE SHIELDS WITH A NEW DESIGN. AN ADDITIONAL HOLE WILL BE DRILLED IN THE STEERING KING PIN HOUSING TO ATTACH A LARGER COVER PLATE. A SMALLER PROTECTION PLATE WILL ALSO BE ATTACHED TO THE EXISTING TWO BOLTS IN THE HUB.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SMELLED SWEET SMELL, THIUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE, NEED A GOOD CLEANING. SMELL NEVER WENT AWAY AND KEPT COMING UP IN INTERVALS. COOLANT KEPT LEAKING INTO THE HEATER CORE AND HEATER BOX. CHANGED FILTERS, NO SMELL FOUND. REPLACED THERMOSTAT. HOWEVER, SMELL STILL APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THROTTLE CONTROL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 7, 1997

“A FIRE STARTED IN THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH OF THE CAR, IN A RAPID SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND THICK SMOKE ENGULFED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE, AS THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ADDING TO THE FLAMES, THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 19, 2001 · fire

“VEHICLE EXPERIENCES ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ALSO VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER/MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THESE MATTERS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 1994

“SMELLED SWEET SMELL, THIUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE, NEED A GOOD CLEANING. SMELL NEVER WENT AWAY AND KEPT COMING UP IN INTERVALS. COOLANT KEPT LEAKING INTO THE HEATER CORE AND HEATER BOX. CHANGED FILTERS, NO SMELL FOUND. REPLACED THERMOSTAT. HOWEVER, SMELL STILL APPEARED. IN ADDITION, THROTTLE CONTROL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · October 7, 1997

“ABS BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND PROPERLY WITH DELAY IN REACTION, VEHICLE PLOWED INTO TRUCK. NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, BUT EXTENSIVE FRONT DAMAGE. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 18, 1995 · crash

1994 Saab 900 — common questions

Is the 1994 Saab 900 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 1994 model at #2 of 23 900 years. It is one of the 900 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1994 900 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (16 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints), transmission (11 complaints).

Does the 1994 Saab 900 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 1994 Saab 900. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1994 Saab 900 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 900 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 900 years to avoid are 1995, 1994, 1996, 1989. The cleanest record among 900 years belongs to 1980.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.