VehicleVerdict

1993 Saab 9000 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 34 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median 9000 year — the 1993 model ranks #1 of 13 9000 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 10 reports (29% of the total).

34

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1993 compare to other 9000 years?

9000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted34 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 5 complaints1988: 17 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 8 complaints1991: 11 complaints1992: 32 complaints1993: 34 complaints1994: 20 complaints1995: 10 complaints1996: 23 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 1 complaints
9000 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1993 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 9000 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1993 Saab 9000 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1029%
Engine412%
Fuel System412%
Seat Belts39%
Brakes39%
Tires & Wheels39%
Electrical System26%
Airbags26%
Seats13%
Steering13%
Suspension13%

Does the 1993 Saab 9000 have recalls?

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

99V109000AirbagsMay 6, 1999 · 26,116 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.

Consequence

THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.

95V067000BrakesMarch 29, 1995 · 12,091 units

Defect

MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.

Consequence

THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.

94V126000EngineJuly 8, 1994 · 12,040 units

Defect

DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.

Consequence

OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.

94V108000LightingJune 9, 1994 · 9,747 units

Defect

A NUMBER OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES HAVE AN OVAL-SHAPED PISTON WHICH CAN GET STUCK UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. OTHER SWITCHES WERE MOUNTED SO THAT BOTH LOCKING TABS ARE NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGED IN THE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF ONE SIDE IS NOT ENGAGED, THE SWITCH IS MISALIGNED WITH THE PEDAL MECHANISM AND CAN BIND THE PISTON MOVEMENT, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH TO STICK IN THE "OFF" OR "ON" POSITION.

Consequence

THIS RESULTS IN EITHER THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINING ON CONSTANTLY OR THE BRAKE LIGHTS NOT ILLUMINATING WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS RESULTS IN INACCURATE SIGNALS OF BRAKE OPERATION TO OTHER VEHICLE OPERATORS, AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES. FOR VEHICLES WITH THE OVAL-SHAPED PISTON AND FOR VEHICLES WITH MISALIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WILL BE REPLACED.

94V029000Fuel SystemFebruary 3, 1994 · 5,824 units

Defect

THE FUEL FILLER AND TANK VENTILATION HOSES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS UNDER THE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT.

Remedy

THE FUEL FILLER AND FUEL VENTILATION HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW HOSES. THE FIVE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW TYPE WITH A SHIELD THAT PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WHEN TIGHTENED.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE TRACATION CONTROL GOES ON AND OFF UNRELATED TO ANY ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE CANNOT BE ADEQUATELY CONTROLLED NOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS SMOOTH ENOUGH FOR MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE ROAD. IT IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT ALMOST DID SEVERAL TIMES. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 1, 1998 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING, CLUTCH PEDAL STUCK/DID NOT DISENGAGE; VEHICLE KEPT GOING FORWARD, KILLED ENGINE BY APPLYING EMERGENCY BRAKES/FOOT BRAKE; NO WARNING, NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENT, ALSO REPLACED WORN/CRACKED ENGINE BELT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 3, 1996

“RECALL 94V029000, FUEL SYSTEM. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL OR THE WORK WAS ALREADY DONE. DEALER. ALSO INDICATES THAT THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE. SOMEONE DID THE WORK AND DID NOT REPORT IT. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND IS CHARGING THE CONSUMER TO REMEDY THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 29, 1998

“WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 27, 2003

“ONE WHEEL WAS ORIGINALLY REPLACED AT 20000 MILES BY DEALER. IT WAS NOT ROUND. SRS (RESTRAINT SYSTEM) WAS RECALLED AND WORKED ON IN AUGUST OF 1999, BUT HAS FAILED ALREADY (SEPTEMBER OF 1999).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 15, 1993

1993 Saab 9000 — common questions

Is the 1993 Saab 9000 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 34 complaints put the 1993 model at #1 of 13 9000 years. It is one of the 9000 years to avoid.

What are the most common 1993 9000 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (10 complaints), engine (4 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints).

Does the 1993 Saab 9000 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1993 Saab 9000. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1993 Saab 9000 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Saab 9000 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 9000 years to avoid are 1993, 1992. The cleanest record among 9000 years belongs to 1998.

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.