AI DamageSaab Saab: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Saab Saab across 8 model years: 16 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 19% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 19% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 19% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Air bags: 3 complaints (19% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 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 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
While driving vehicle was involved in a collision and the air bag deployed and let out some kind of black smoke which filled the entire vehicle.
Saab. Consumer writes in regards to no resolution on when repairs will be available for airbag inflator safety recall 28810/ 15041.
Letter to senator on behalf of constituent regarding his concerns that a recall has not been issued for particular saab vehicle. The consumer stated when he attempted to drive his vehicle out the garage, he discovered the left front wheel would not move. The coil spring supporting the wheel had snapped.
Friends at a dealer tell me one a day was being towed in. I have seen a pile of at least 100 bad ones at a dealer. I have some failed units in my possession. There is even a cottage industry selling them on ebay. I have suppliers who have sold 100 units in one day.
While driving 20 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer managed to pull over and had vehicle towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.
There was a strong smell of sulfur fumes inside the vehicle.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Other models of this make
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.