1988 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Saab 900. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and electrical system (2). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, 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.
- Brakes3 23%
- Electrical system2 15%
- Engine cooling2 15%
- Seat belts2 15%
- Seats1 7.7%
- Steering1 7.7%
- Suspension1 7.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.7%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Premature wear of ring & pinion gear; also, premature wear of front brake rotors; cruise control failure, causing vehicle to surge and cooling fan/thermostat failure.”
NHTSA complaint #509766, filed 1996-10Transmission and drivetrain: “Driver's seat anchoring bracket which attaches to seat base broke away from the attachment bolt. Odometer became inoperable and this seems to be the case on most pre-1990 models as stated by mechanic who specializes in Saab repairs. Mechanic states that this issue involves the gearing mechanism within the odometer.”
NHTSA complaint #735839, filed 2000-11Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 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 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 20 | 19 | $3,550 |
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
- 88V173000Nov 1, 1988Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dashCovers: Saab 900 1987–1988
Wiring harness may chafe against sharp edges under the dashboard and against a support under the rear seat (1988 models only).
- 88V149000Sep 7, 1988Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower armCovers: Saab 900 1988
Bolts used in the attachments of the front suspension system control arms may be defective.
Recall details for the 1988 Saab 900 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE93102Seat back recliner failureClosed · Dec 8, 1993
- PE89008Battery cable groundingClosed · Oct 21, 1988
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 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 1988 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1988 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 1988 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 1988 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Saab 900 (900, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.