AI Damage1996 Saab 900: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Saab 900 filed 48 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 48
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 21% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 19% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 10% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 11 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 10 complaints (21% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 9 complaints (19% of all).
- Fuel system: 6 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 5 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 · 4 cyl
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 48 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 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.
Passenger airbag deployed for no reason while driving car, no warning lights on dashboard, no impact, no precipitating event occured
In june 2003, a crack was discovered in the fuel tank of my 1996 saab 900s. The tank was replaced. On 28 july 2004, the replacement tank was discovered to have a leak and was replaced. On 1 september 2005, the second replacement tank was diagnosed as leaking.
While driving ball bearrings exploded in the lower engine. Consumer heard a loud boom. The vehicle was full of clean oil. Consumer contacted the maufacturer and the dealer. Vehicle is currently at dealer.
When the rear passenger door was opened front passenger side air bag deployed, and smoke entered the passenger's cabin.
The "check battery" light came on along with the hazard light. My wife was driving the car in heavy traffic and just escaped the vehicle when it was engulfed in flames. The police had to call me to get the license plate number and vin, as they had melted.
While driving heard a raddling noise, had it checked out. Main front left spring had fractured. Spring replacement, 44 83-178.contacted dealer.
Plastic fuel tank is leaking, dealer and the manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
S model, consumer smelled fuel, dealer determined the plastic fuel tank was leaking. Part was replaced, new fuel tank has leaked twice.
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 5,450 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 900 has 17 complaints (22 years in the data). This year has 48, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- 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.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Saab 900?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 48. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), driver assists: adaptive cruise, lane keeping (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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.