AI Damage1989 Saab 900: common problems
Owners of the 1989 Saab 900 filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 18% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 9% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (23% of all).
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (23% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (18% of all).
- Suspension: 4 complaints (18% of all).
- Visibility: 3 complaints (14% 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
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
While driving, driver's seat position adjustment latch malfunctioned, caused seat to go backwards, result accident.
Alternator, carburetor, electrical system, draining of power ; no one has been able to pinpoint the problem, the auto has sat now for two years because I was tired of pouring money into it only to have it unable to repaired properly.
Right side passive seatbelt system failed motor caused shoulder belt key to go back and forth . Driver side did the same. Repair tech said that it was a short in the system and that it was commom with saabs with this type of safety belts.
Driver's side control arm broke while parking vehicle. Replaced both driver- & passenger-side control arms as precaution. Mechanic has part & speculates design defect; has one from another saab hanging on wall as souvenir! Contact peter's zaab service, [phone].
Engine head gasket went, and cost about 1600 canadian. Manufacturer declined any assistance.
The dealer in little rock, ar. Indicated that this type of a problem is common because of the design of the lower control arm. Any problem that causes the driver to lose control of their vehicle is not common.
Timing chain failed during normal operation at 35 mph causing engine to stall and $2400 in engine valve damage. Timing chain is not specificed as a normal replacement item.
Casing around transmission cracked, causing oil to leak out onto the exhaust manifold, resulting in an engine fire.
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 7,904 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 900 has 17 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 22, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1989 Saab 900?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, electrical system. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (14%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), A/C or heater (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1989 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 1989 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 1989 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.