1989 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 21 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Saab 900. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by seat belts (5) and electrical system (4). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 85,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 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.
- Engine cooling5 23%
- Seat belts5 23%
- Electrical system4 18%
- Suspension4 18%
- Equipment2 9.1%
- Exterior lighting2 9.1%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
Also reported: Seats (1), Steering (1).
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Timing chain failed during normal operation at 35 MPH causing engine to stall and $2400 in engine valve damage. Timing chain is not specificed as a normal replacement item.”
NHTSA complaint #706174, filed 1999-05Seat belts: “Right side passive seatbelt system failed motor caused shoulder belt key to go back and forth . Driver side did the same. Repair tech said that it was a short in the system and that it was commom with saabs with this type of safety belts. Cost of repair would be $650 did not repair had tech lock key in a fixed position.”
NHTSA complaint #757751, filed 2002-02Electrical system: “Alternator, carburetor, electrical system, draining of power ; no one has been able to pinpoint the problem, the auto has sat now for two years because I was tired of pouring money into it only to have it unable to repaired properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10151828, filed 2006-03, 85,000 milesSuspension: “The dealer in little rock, ar. Indicated that this type of a problem is common because of the design of the lower control arm. Any problem that causes the driver to lose control of their vehicle is not common. Had I been travelling at freeway speeds I would have lost control and my family would be wondering what happend. Major suspension parts, such as the front left lower control arm, should not break.”
NHTSA complaint #720555, filed 2000-03Mileage 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 85,000 and 85,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 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 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 17 | 22 | 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 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 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
- 89V104000Jun 27, 1989Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac systemCovers: Saab 900 1989
Under certain conditions, a reverse current might flow through a wire cable between the air recirculation switch and a microswitch.
- 88V185000Nov 28, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsCovers: Saab 900 1989, 9000 1989
Fuel filter may not meet the specification concerning leakage criteria due to low temperature during the gluing process.
Recall details for the 1989 Saab 900 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 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 1989 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 1989 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (23% of the total), followed by seat belts with 5.
Has the 1989 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 1989 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Saab 900 (900, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1989 Saab 900 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 85,000 miles and the middle half falls between 85,000 and 85,000 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.