AI Damage1997 Saab 9000: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Saab 9000 filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about vehicle speed control and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Vehicle speed control 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 33% of all complaints
- 3 Child seat 17% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (33% of all).
- Child seat: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (17% 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 · turbo · 4 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 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.
Consumer received recall 04c002000 for the strap. Part was not available.
While at a stop vehicle revved at a high rate. Consumer switched to neutral/shut off vehicle to temporally stop the problem. On one occasion consumer had the vehicle towed. Dealerships mechanic tried to repair vehicle 3 times, but did not resolve the problem.
Engine died in a 7 year-old car with approximately 45,000 miles.
Problems with abs on a 1997 saab 9000 cs. The abs ecm unit was replaced at 45900, at 55393 most of the brake system had to be replaced, the consumer believed that this type of brake work should not occur at such low mileage, also the exhaust system and radiator had to be replaced.
I checked to be sure that the cruise control was off and I checked the dashboard and there were no warning messages flashing. When I removed my foot from the brake and with my foot off the accelelerator, the car gained speed quickly and I was only able to slow it down by keeping my foot on the brake.
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 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 9000 has 10 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Saab 9000?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: vehicle speed control, engine and cooling, child seat. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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.