1996 Saab 900 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 23%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Saab 900, 23% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 3 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.
“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 miles“Prior to di failure, starting impairment and misfires detected with cel. Upon failure, car would not run and steering was lost. To correct failure, new di was fitted after it was broken. Symptoms should have been reason enough to change it early.”
NHTSA complaint #10130620, filed 2005-07, 100,000 miles“After a 30 minutes of driving vehicle was parked in a parking lot. Smoke was noticed coming from underneath the hood area before a fire started. Fire department was on site to put out fire. Saab has been contacted. Vehicle traveling, check the engine light appeared and stayed on the cause was determined to be a sensor. The vehicle slips while in gear and before going into gear due to loss of fluid by lthe leaking transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #873699, filed 2000-10“Vehicle idling in parked position, occupants smelled funny odor, smell got wqrse, subsequently fire started coming from underhood, vehicle available for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #807075, filed 1997-01Electrical 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 1996 Saab 900
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 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