1996 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 48filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 99,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 16 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saab 900. The part named most often is electrical system, with 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (10) and engine cooling (9). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 99,500 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
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 system11 23%
- Engine cooling9 19%
- Fuel system6 13%
- Air bags5 10%
- Equipment5 10%
- Exterior lighting3 6.3%
- Steering3 6.3%
- Vehicle speed control3 6.3%
- Other or unknown2 4.2%
Also reported: Seats (2), Body and structure (2), Suspension (2), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Brakes (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seat belts (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Electrical system: “On april 27, 2003, my Saab 900 se had an electrical failure while driving within a minute had completely destroyed the car. The check battery light came on along with the hazard light. My wife was driving the car in heavy traffic and just escaped the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. The police had to call me to get the license plate number and VIN, as they had melted. The car had 72,000 miles and had been checked twice in the past year. Just months before it had been completely inspected. The car was in show room condition.”
NHTSA complaint #10016693, filed 2003-04, 72,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “This car has been nothing but a nightmare. It has required three tows from june 2001 to february 2002. The most expensive failure occurred the day after I had taken the car to a local dealer for a routine oil change (international motors, falls church, va), and the transmission and clutch failed because there was a transmission fluid leak that was not caught by their mechanics. I have contacted Saab corporate by letter in december 2001 about my multiple problems with this car. Their response by telephone was that there was nothing that they could do.”
NHTSA complaint #758034, filed 2002-02Engine cooling: “While driving ball bearrings exploded in the lower engine. Consumer heard a loud boom. The vehicle was full of clean oil. Consumer contacted the maufacturer and the dealer. Vehicle is currently at dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10103134, filed 2004-12, 100,000 milesFuel system: “In june 2003, a crack was discovered in the fuel tank of my 1996 Saab 900s. The tank was replaced. On 28 july 2004, the replacement tank was discovered to have a leak and was replaced. On 1 september 2005, the second replacement tank was diagnosed as leaking.”
NHTSA complaint #10135288, filed 2005-09, 58,857 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 72,000 and 100,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Saab 900. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 · sedan | not rated | 4 / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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 | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 900 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 FWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 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
- 98V038000Feb 24, 1998Exterior lighting › HeadlightsCovers: Saab 900 1994–1998
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The instructions for properly aiming the headlighting system were omitted. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
- 97V046000Mar 21, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: Saab 900 1994–1997
Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
- 96V077000May 3, 1996Seat belts › Front › AnchorageCovers: Saab 900 1996
During static testing of belt anchorage points, the outboard attachment plate being used in the testing deformed and detached from the seat anchorage. This does not comply with fmvss no. 209, "seat belt assemblies" and no. 210, "seat belt assembly anchorages."
Recall details for the 1996 Saab 900 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
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 1996 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 48 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 11 complaints (23% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 10.
Has the 1996 Saab 900 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Saab 900 (900, 2.3L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 25 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 1996 Saab 900 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 99,500 miles and the middle half falls between 72,000 and 100,000 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.