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Saab 9000Model year report

1990 Saab 9000 Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
230,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
20 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Saab 9000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 Saab 9000. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (2) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 230,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 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.

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “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 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 230,000 and 230,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–150100%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 230,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19951997319992010
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1990 Saab 9000 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
9000 FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual192621$3,200
9000 FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
9000 FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162219$3,550
9000 FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
9000 FWD2.3L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$3,350
9000 FWD2.3L 4-cyl4-speed automatic152318$3,700

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

Recall details for the 1990 Saab 9000 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1990 Saab 9000.

Other model years of the Saab 9000

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1997645,9001—19—Not enough data
19961055,0000—20—Not enough data
19958—0—19—Not enough data
199414191,9504—20—Not enough data
19932967,6465—19Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199219—4—19—Stable
19918112,0001—19—Not enough data
19907230,0001—20—Not enough data
198914—3—19—Not enough data
198812—3—21—Not enough data
19875—1—20—Not enough data

All Saab 9000 model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Saab 9000 have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 1990 Saab 9000 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1990 Saab 9000 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 2.

Has the 1990 Saab 9000 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Saab 9000 get?

The EPA rates the 1990 Saab 9000 (9000, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 18 city and 24 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 1990 Saab 9000 reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 230,000 miles and the middle half falls between 230,000 and 230,000 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. 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.