1994 Saab 900 problems & reliability
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1994 Saab 900. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 14 | 32% |
| Power Train → | 10 | 23% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 20% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 | 16% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 14% |
| Suspension | 4 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 4 | 9% |
| Visibility | 4 | 9% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 7% |
| Equipment | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1994 saab 900. The contact stated that the front driver's seat was cracked and had a damaged frame that was deteriorating. The seat was not secured and would move independently. The front passenger seat also exhibited the failure. The srs sensor and the service engine sensor illuminated for an…”
Seats · filed Jun 2, 2014
“The experience leaking head gasket repeated problem. The engine overheating and brake problems. *bf the brakes squealed when stopping, the windshield wipers, the passenger door was hard to close, the battery light had run bad, the heat operation was inoperative, there was an oil leak, seat cover left lower cracked…”
Electrical System · filed Dec 7, 2004
“While driving on the dan ryan expressway at 3:00 p.m. On 4/30/04, I heard a pop and I thought a belt snapped, my car, a 1994 saab s, jerked, it was difficult to gain control. I smelled burning rubber. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw a tire role from east to west on the expressway. I thought I ran over it…”
Tires · filed May 2, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
Defect Petition DP00008 · opened Sep 25, 2000 · closed Nov 19, 2001
- NEW WHEEL BOLTS
Investigation SQ98018 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Oct 27, 1998
- AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES
Investigation SQ98006 · opened Apr 22, 1998 · closed May 8, 1998
Technical service bulletins
46 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1994 Saab 900. The 10 most recent:
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Service information regarding the wiring harness repair kit. *tt
3711703E4 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 25, 2001
Notification to stop performing procedure outlined in si-831-1823 to address a complaint of rear doors dufficult to open from outside on models up to w2019950. *tt
831 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 3, 1999
Addressing concerns with various types of noises heard from the a/c system. *tt
8542143 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 1999
Complaints of vibration from cabin fan motor. *tt
854 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1999
Complaints of noise on deceleration in 1994 and later models with manual transmissions. *yc
471 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 13, 1998
Srs (airbag) diagnostic trouble codes missing from workshop information. *yc
850 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 3, 1998
Service information on wiring harness repair kit. *yc
3711703ED3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 1998
Improved bush and gear linkage. *yc
4322024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 1998
Addressing customer complaints of noisy a/c. *yc
980728870 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 29, 1998
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 1994 Saab 900 in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1994 Saab 900?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.