1986 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 9filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 203,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1986 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1986 Saab 900. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and tires (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 203,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system5 56%
- Engine cooling4 44%
- Tires2 22%
- Brakes1 11%
- Equipment1 11%
- Fuel system1 11%
- Seats1 11%
- Suspension1 11%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “My 1986 , 8 valve, 2.0 liter Saab 900 stalls out in hot weather and will not restart unless at least 15 minutes have passed. I have replaced the fuel filter,distributor cap, ignition coil, spark plugs, and the problem still exists.”
NHTSA complaint #10037006, filed 2003-09, 203,000 milesEngine cooling: “When driving at 65 MPH there was noise coming from the steering column, and when applying the brakes, consumer heard a loud knocking noise coming from the brakes. Also, battery kept going dead/ air conditioning went out/the temperature gauge stopped working/brake pads wore out and replaced four times/ spare tire kept getting a flat/control unit had to be replaced four times/ replaced a crack in exhaust system, as well as other parts in the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #832060, filed 1998-12Tires: “I am aware of the tire recall and questions about other manufacturers. I purchased a Saab in 1986 equipped with pirelli tires. All four of the tire treads separated within 15,000, including one incident at 65 MPH. I sent one fo the tires back to pirelli for examination. They claimed there was no mnaufacturing flaw that caused the separation. There is absolutely no way 4 new tires with less than 15,000 miles could all separate without a defect. I realize this is an old complaint but I think it is important to know that other tire companies are also producing shoddy tires.( DOT number: )”
NHTSA complaint #735910, filed 2000-11Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 203,000 and 203,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1986 Saab 900 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 87V013000Feb 10, 1987Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Saab 900 1986–1987
The fuel hose between the pressure regulator and the injector fuel rail may rupture due to stress.
- 86V057000Apr 28, 1986Steering › Steering wheel/handle barCovers: Saab 900 1986
The bolt in the upper steering column u-joint clamp may have been over torqued and may break. Consequence of defect: a broken u-joint clamp may allow the steering shaft to pull out of the joint and result in loss of steering control and possibly an accident.
Recall details for the 1986 Saab 900 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1986 Saab 900.
Other model years of the Saab 900
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 24 | 96,000 | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 21 | 111,000 | 3 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1996 | 48 | 99,500 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1995 | 100 | 86,064 | 7 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 44 | 75,000 | 8 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 6 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 21 | 299,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 13 | — | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 19 | 175,756 | 0 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1989 | 22 | 85,000 | 2 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 13 | — | 2 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 9 | 203,000 | 2 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
All Saab 900 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1986 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1986 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1986 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (56% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.
Has the 1986 Saab 900 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1986 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1986 Saab 900 (900, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 18 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1986 Saab 900 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 203,000 miles and the middle half falls between 203,000 and 203,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.