1986 Saab 900 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 56%of 9 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 203,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 1986 Saab 900, 56% of the 9 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 203,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The vehicle loses power abruptly causing the tachometer to drop and the steering to become heavy yet the engine continues to run smoothly, as the consumer attempts to pull to the shoulder the power returns before the car stops, the dealer has been unable to duplicate or reproduce the problem. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #0, filed 2001-01“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 1998-12Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 3 | 13% |
| 1997 | 2 | 10% |
| 1996 | 11 | 23% |
| 1995 | 19 | 19% |
| 1994 | 9 | 20% |
| 1993 | 2 | 33% |
| 1992 | 1 | 5% |
| 1991 | 1 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 4 | 18% |
| 1988 | 2 | 15% |
| 1986 | 5 | 56% |
| 1985 | 3 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1986 Saab 900
4 complaintsTires
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1986 Saab 900
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology