1996 Saab 900 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 19%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1996 Saab 900, 19% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 1 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.
“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 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“Timing chain has to be replaced after 75,000 miles. Vehicle was making a loud warning noise. Saab dealer found problem after doing a routine service check. Although the problem has been found, dealer has never done repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #888235, filed 2001-05“Vehicle does not start first thing in morning. Would jerk after starting, for 1/2 hour. The engine check light comes on after the jerking motion. Stayed on until vehicle put in the garage, then went off. Came back on 2 days later.”
NHTSA complaint #844456, filed 1999-08Related service bulletins
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 8% |
| 1997 | 1 | 5% |
| 1996 | 9 | 19% |
| 1995 | 17 | 17% |
| 1994 | 14 | 32% |
| 1992 | 3 | 14% |
| 1991 | 1 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 5 | 23% |
| 1988 | 2 | 15% |
| 1986 | 4 | 44% |
Other parts of the 1996 Saab 900
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 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