VehicleVerdict

1997 Saab 900 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 1997 Saab 900 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other 900 years?

900 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1997 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, 1997 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 900 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Saab 900 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System311%
Transmission311%
Airbags27%
Brakes27%
Seat Belts27%
Seats27%
Speed Control27%
Body & Structure27%
Tires & Wheels27%
Visibility & Wipers14%
Steering14%
Fuel System14%
Latches & Locks14%
Lighting14%
Engine14%
Suspension14%

Does the 1997 Saab 900 have recalls?

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

98V139000OtherJune 23, 1998 · 39,313 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 3, 2005

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 17, 2006

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 19, 2004

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · August 1, 2000

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 28, 2012

1997 Saab 900 — common questions

Is the 1997 Saab 900 reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1997 900 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (3 complaints), transmission (3 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 1997 Saab 900 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Saab 900. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Saab 900 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.