AI Damage1987 Saab 900: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Saab 900 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and tires. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Tires 50% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 50% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 25% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My 1987 saab 900 caughton fire with me in it. I would like to file a complaint against saab but I do not know how to go about it. I need help. Thank you.
[www.saabnet.com] the manufacturer has made available a reinforced lower suspension arm but has refused to pay for either the part or installation thereof.
Replaced four continental tires because of cracking on the sidewall.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,521 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 900 has 17 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 4, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Saab 900?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, tires, visibility. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Saab 900?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Saab 900 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.