AI Damage1999 Saab 952: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Saab 952 filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 13% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
This made it difficult to defrost the windows, resulting in poor visibility. In addition, the fan motor failed to function intermittently. When this happened the windows fogged up immediately. Manufacturer was aware of this issue, and re designed the system, but the replacement of this part will be very costly.
While driving 65 mph the vehicle stalled. The consumer managed to pull over. The dealership said that the problem was due to the timing chain, but the problem has not been resolved.
The vehicle smokes extensively and causes the smoke to enter the car when driving. It has been at the dealer for over three weeks total in the last 5 weeks to replace the gaskets, oil pans, turbo chargers, etc., with no end in sight.
Ongoing problem with engine stalling from a stop position. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.
Both headlights burned out within a few/ minutes, this has happened 5-6 times since purchase of vehicle, seems to be a electrical problem. Consumer states have been driving at night when bulbs on both low beams have burned out.
As we travelled along a busy road, the transmision failed without warning adn we were unable to engage any gear, which put us some real danger as we attempted to move the car to the side of the road.
Intermittent stalling due to electronic control module failure.
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 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the 952 has 4 complaints (3 years in the data). This year has 8, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- 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.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Saab 952?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (38%), headlights and tail lights (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Saab 952?
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 1999 Saab 952 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 1999 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.