AI Damage1992 Saab 900: common problems
Owners of the 1992 Saab 900 filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 8 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- Air bags: 6 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (10% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (10% 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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.1 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer was driving 25 mph when another vehicle making a left turn hit the consumer on her left front side, causing the air bag to deploy, and consumer's shirt caught on fire. The consumer was able to put out the fire, but consumer sustained second degree burns.
Tl* the contact owns a 1992 saab 900. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear assurance tires size 195-60-r15, the dot number and serial numbers were not available. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the vehicle would not stay in a straight line.
Serious problem with bad gas tank on saab 900, replaced 5 tanks in the past 2 1/2 years. The consumer stated the vehicle was back at the dealership to have the gas tank replaced for the 6th time.
Original gas tank had to be replaced on october 22, 2002. Since then consumer had replaced the gas tank 5 more times.
The lower "a" arm of the front suspension has cracks in it. Fracture of the "a" arm would result in the wheel turning and loss of control of the vehicle. The head gasket leaks and there are numerous other leaks in the engine and transmission seals.
Vehicle does not change gears properly. Dealer has rebuilt the transmission five times. Manufacturer has been notified.
Airbag light flashes on and off. Dealer has been notified.
Twice, after going through a car wash, the srs light came on. Brought it to dealer who reset it, stating that moisture had gotten into the harness somewhere. After reading about the recall for 92-94 9000 models with a similar problem, I called saab.
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 8,077 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 21, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Saab 900?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (10%), brake failure (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1992 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 1992 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 1992 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.