1996 Saab 9000 Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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, 2.3L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Saab 9000 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saab 9000. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (3) and brakes (2). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 55,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
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.
- Engine cooling4 40%
- Brakes2 20%
- Electrical system2 20%
- Exterior lighting2 20%
- Seat belts2 20%
- Seats2 20%
- Fuel system1 10%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “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 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “Faulty vehicle transmission in 1996 Saab 9000. The replaced transmission failed resulting in the consumer having to drive the vehicle manually. The dealer found that the problem was internal with the transmission shifts, it stayed in 4th gear. They had to replace it with a rebuilt transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10033723, filed 2003-08, 55,000 milesBrakes: “The automatic transmission was replaced three times. The first transmission was replaced due to a worn out oil pump(the fluid was burned), and there was a whining noise. The second incident happened while the consumer was driving and the transmission did not shift properly (had to drive back manually/the mechanic found an internal problem), the vehicle stayed in fourth gear, and had to be replaced with a rebuilt transmission. The rear brake pads had worn out. . …”
NHTSA complaint #10033594, filed 2003-08, 55,000 milesElectrical system: “The dealer replaced the transmission four times in the past two years. The vehicle had to be driven manually and stayed in 4th gear. The mechanic found an internal transmission problem. The rear brake pads were worn, the transmission oil pump was worn out, the hazards did not work when the weather was hot, but worked with the A/C it did not work. The muffler was replaced, the drive belt and pulleys were replaced, the rear brake rotors were out of specification and the brake pads were worn, the seat heater light switch was replaced, the oil pump was worn out”
NHTSA complaint #10029651, filed 2003-09, 55,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 55,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9000 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| 9000 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| 9000 FWD | 2.3L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 24 | 18 | $3,700 |
| 9000 FWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 16 | 24 | 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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 Saab 9000 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
- SQ98006Audio system firesClosed · Apr 22, 1998
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. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Saab 9000
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 6 | 45,900 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 10 | 55,000 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 8 | — | 0 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 14 | 191,950 | 4 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 29 | 67,646 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 19 | — | 4 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 8 | 112,000 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 7 | 230,000 | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 14 | — | 3 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1988 | 12 | — | 3 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
| 1987 | 5 | — | 1 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Saab 9000 have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 1996 Saab 9000 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 Saab 9000 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (40% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 3.
Has the 1996 Saab 9000 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Saab 9000 get?
The EPA rates the 1996 Saab 9000 (9000, 2.3L 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 1996 Saab 9000 reported?
Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 55,000 miles and the middle half falls between 55,000 and 110,000 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.