1997 Saab 900 Problems
- Complaints
- 21filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 111,000miles, 11 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns 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
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Saab 900 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1997 Saab 900. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (14% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and electrical system (2). 11 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 111,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 3 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.
- Air bags2 9.5%
- Electrical system2 9.5%
- Seat belts2 9.5%
- Seats2 9.5%
- Body and structure2 9.5%
- Vehicle speed control2 9.5%
- Wheels2 9.5%
- Brakes1 4.8%
- Engine cooling1 4.8%
Also reported: Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Fuel system (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Three times in the past year, the clutch cable on my car has broken. Thankfully, each time I was within four miles of my home. Without the ability to shift, I was required to attempt to drive home or to the service station with no stopping. Luckily, I was able to blow through stop signs and avoid traffic. I do not look forward to three months from now when the cable breaks again leaving me stranded in a less convenient location.”
NHTSA complaint #10135938, filed 2005-09, 130,000 milesAir bags: “Re: Saab 900 1997. Upon turning the ignition key in an attempt to start the car the airbags deployed and the seat belts tensioned. The windshield was broken and the radio popped out of the dash. This is event is very much alike to defects described in recalls of Saab 900 1995 and 1998 model years. I have already filed a report at Saab. Saab has informed me that at this time they have no intention of addressing the issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10149473, filed 2006-02, 59,000 milesElectrical system: “1997 Saab 900 se turbo 2.0, car began to stall, and would only restart once brought to a complete stop and the keys removed. Stalling continued randomly at high or low speeds. Very dangerous when it stalled at high speeds - the power steering cut out, power and ABS brakes - it was as if the key had been removed and all power cut to the car. Faulty ignition switch (electrical portion below keys) required replacement, stalling fixed. Car basically thought the keys were being removed (the electrical contacts on the ignition switch were bad and would cut on and off). …”
NHTSA complaint #10118144, filed 2005-04, 75,000 milesSeat belts: “I went to put my seat belt on and it caught on something and wouldn't let me extract the belt from the retractor. This vehicle registration is not-operative.”
NHTSA complaint #10618672, filed 2014-08, 123,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 11 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,000 and 124,719 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 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 1997 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 | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 900 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 FWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 900 Convertible FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 19 | $3,550 |
| 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 | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 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
- 98V139000Jun 23, 1998Equipment › Other › LabelsCovers: Saab 900 1997–1998, 9000 1997–1998, 9-3 1999 +1 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
- 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.
Recall details for the 1997 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. 3 on record; the latest 3 are shown.
- 10082506Aug 26, 2016Equipment. This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in…
- 10248444Jun 30, 2014Equipment. Vehicle Recalls
- 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 1997 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 1997 Saab 900 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1997 Saab 900 is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (14% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.
Has the 1997 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 1997 Saab 900 get?
The EPA rates the 1997 Saab 900 (900, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Saab 900 reported?
Among the 11 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 111,000 miles and the middle half falls between 75,000 and 124,719 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.