AI Damage1993 Saab 9000: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Saab 9000 filed 29 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 29
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 14% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 10% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (14% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 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.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.3 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 29 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 9 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 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.
The tracation control goes on and off unrelated to any road conditions. The engine cannot be adequately controlled nor the engagement of the transmission is smooth enough for maintaining control of the road. It is an accident waiting to happen, which it almost did several times.
We fixed the car the first time the fuel was leaking, and it was a big spray in the trunk, after that we had trouble with turning it on and it staying on. Now the car about november '05 it started smelling like gas again.
While driving brake light and the abs light came on. Vehicle lost braking operation. Vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The brake motor was replaced.
The driver's seat belt failed to release, which resulted in the consumer having to be cut out.
The traction control system cuts warning light comes on, the pedel forceful comes up, car slows - complete loss of power - and will not accelerate till foot is lifted of accelerator and depressed again. Pedal is now hard to depress and power loss is signifcant from normal.
Nhtsa recall 99v109000, air bag module, when consumer applied the brake, the air bag light illuminated, and at times the light stayed on which caused the battery to fail.
While driving or starting vehicle and without warning, vehicle will stall, causing engine to shutdown, and vehicle to became inoperative. Dealer has been notified. Mechanic has serviced vehicle twice; currently, it is going on the 3rd time, and has not remedied the problem.
3 of 4 tires exhibited tire belt bunching or shifting, resulting in rough ride and fade or change in feel of stearing. The dealership covered the tires under warranty only after a great deal of preasure by me and my thwarting their confrontational tactics. (tiresize: p205/60r15)( dot number: tire size: p205/60r15 )
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 6,958 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 9000 has 10 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 29, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Saab 9000?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 29. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (14%), airbag warning light (7%), loss of power / limp mode (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Saab 9000?
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 1993 Saab 9000 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 1993 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.