Saab 9000 Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 132 consumer complaints across the 11 model years of the Saab 9000 (1987–1997) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 29. Across all years, the part named most often is transmission and drivetrain (29 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All 9000 model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 6 | 45,900 | 1 | 3 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 10 | 55,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 8 | — | 0 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 14 | 191,950 | 4 | 1 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 29 | 67,646 | 5 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 19 | — | 4 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 8 | 112,000 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 7 | 230,000 | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 14 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 12 | — | 3 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Transmission and drivetrain29 20%
- Electrical system25 18%
- Brakes22 15%
- Engine cooling20 14%
- Fuel system18 13%
- Air bags10 7.0%
- Vehicle speed control9 6.3%
- Seat belts9 6.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1990: “Vehicle will occasionally be hard to start, when does start it misses until revved to clear up. Tune ups are performed at recommended mileage. My car is a 1990, first year for Saab direct ignition. Replaced ignition cassette less than 30,000 miles ago, starting to go out again. During my ownership I have replaced the direct ignition twice, I have owned the car approx 8 years. I feel all owners of vehicles equipped with this part should be reimbursed. I used to be Saab tech and these modules go out way too often and are expensive to replace .”
NHTSA complaint #10361579, filed 2010-10, 230,000 miles1996: “1996 Saab 9000 aero rear-ended an izuzu rodeo. Damage to the rodeo was almost unnoticeable. Saab engine however erupted into flames and was a total loss. A factory certified technician less than 30 days prior to fire had serviced Saab. Response from Saab customer service - the issue did not concern Saab and was between my insurance company and me. Was told by Saab that insurance company would subrogate the claim if they thought it was worthwhile. Insurance company (metlife) commented that loss was not large enough to pursue subrogation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10062660, filed 2004-03, 110,000 miles1991: “My 1991 Saab 9000cd turbo eats ignition modules. This happens roughly every 10,000 miles. At a cost in excess of $450 each it's expensive. When the module fails, the engine stops without warning. This can be hazardous in traffic.”
NHTSA complaint #10164264, filed 2006-08, 112,000 milesOther Saab models
1,345 complaintsSaab 9-5
552 complaintsSaab 900
345 complaintsSaab 9-7X
171 complaintsSaab 9-2X
121 complaintsSaab 9-3 Convertible
61 complaintsSaab Aero
11 complaintsSaab 952
8 complaints
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. Methodology