1990 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 19filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 175,756miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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 · 18 city / 26 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Saab 900. The part named most often is brakes, with 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and air bags (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 175,756 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
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.
- Brakes7 37%
- Air bags2 11%
- Electrical system2 11%
- Engine cooling2 11%
- Seats1 5.3%
- Suspension1 5.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “While driving any speed, lost part of braking ability, brakes hard, vehicle pulls to side, intermittent problem, nearly caused a crash, according to dealer, ABS solenoid failed, needs replacing.”
NHTSA complaint #816853, filed 1997-10Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle's engine would suddenly and unpredictably accelerate as the rpms dropped. After replacement of the idle control valve the problem did not reoccur.”
NHTSA complaint #527552, filed 1997-12Air bags: “Air bag did not deploy in a head-on 35mph crash. Both vehicles, traveling in opposite directions were both traveling at 35mph. Driver fractured sternum and the front end was forced back into the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #536438, filed 1998-06Mileage 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 175,756 and 175,756 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 1990 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 | 18 | 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 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1990 Saab 900 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- EA94011Fuel pump fails/tank leaksClosed · Feb 28, 1994
- PE93087Fuel pump fails/tank leaksClosed · Oct 5, 1993
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 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 1990 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 1990 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 7 complaints (37% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1990 Saab 900 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1990 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Saab 900 (900, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 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 1990 Saab 900 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 175,756 miles and the middle half falls between 175,756 and 175,756 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.