Total Complaints
18 filings
SAAB 900 · model year
1986 SAAB 900
18 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1986SAAB900 carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1986 900 is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:catalytic convertor (1) and electrical system:wiring (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 9 investigation files overlapping the 1986 900. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
18
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 3 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20030901FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
MY 1986 , 8 VALVE, 2.0 LITER SAAB 900 STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER AND WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS AT LEAST 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER,DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Mileage: 203,000
20030901ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 1986 , 8 VALVE, 2.0 LITER SAAB 900 STALLS OUT IN HOT WEATHER AND WILL NOT RESTART UNLESS AT LEAST 15 MINUTES HAVE PASSED. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER,DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUGS, AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Mileage: 203,000
20010420ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE TACHOMETER TO DROP AND THE STEERING TO BECOME HEAVY YET THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY, AS THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTS TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER THE POWER RETURNS BEFORE THE CAR STOPS, THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. NLM
20001108TIRES
I AM AWARE OF THE TIRE RECALL AND QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER MANUFACTURERS. I PURCHASED A SAAB IN 1986 EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI TIRES. ALL FOUR OF THE TIRE TREADS SEPARATED WITHIN 15,000, INCLUDING ONE INCIDENT AT 65 MPH. I SENT ONE FO THE TIRES BACK TO PIRELLI FOR EXAMINATION. THEY CLAIMED THERE WAS NO MNAUFACTURING FLAW THAT CAUSED THE SEPARATION. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY 4 NEW TIRES WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES COULD ALL SEPARATE WITHOUT A DEFECT. I REALIZE THIS IS AN OLD COMPLAINT BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT OTHER TIRE COMPANIES ARE ALSO PRODUCING SHODDY TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: )
19991209SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19991209TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHEN DRIVING AT 65 MPH THERE WAS NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES. ALSO, BATTERY KEPT GOING DEAD/ AIR CONDITIONING WENT OUT/THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE STOPPED WORKING/BRAKE PADS WORE OUT AND REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ SPARE TIRE KEPT GETTING A FLAT/CONTROL UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES/ REPLACED A CRACK IN EXHAUST SYSTEM, AS WELL AS OTHER PARTS IN THE VEHICLE.*AK
19981014FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE ENGINE FIRE.
19960923CrashSEATS
THE CONSUMER WAS HIT IN THE REAR AND THE DRIVERS SEAT RECLINED BACKWARDS. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
19960404SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE
WHEEL BEARING REPAIRED DUE TO FAILURE. *SD
19960404ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP REPLACED DUE TO LEAK. *SD
19950906FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED WIRING AND SENT SMOKE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TT
19950906ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVERHEATED WIRING AND SENT SMOKE INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. TT
19950329ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING WINDOWS FAILED, INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THEN STOPPED. HEAD LIGHTS WENT OUT AND OTHER FAILURES. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Compare 1986SAAB900 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1986 SAAB 900 have?▼
The 1986 SAAB 900 has 18 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 SAAB 900?▼
The most-complained component for the 1986 SAAB 900 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING.
Is the 1986 SAAB 900 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.