1997 Saab 900 problems & reliability
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 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.
2 complaints report injuries (2 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 3 | 14% |
| Air Bags | 2 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 10% |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 10% |
| Seats | 2 | 10% |
| Structure | 2 | 10% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 10% |
| Wheels | 2 | 10% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 5% |
| Equipment | 1 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 17 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“I went to put my seat belt on and it caught on something and wouldn't let me extract the belt from the retractor. This vehicle registration is not-operative. *tr”
Seat Belts · filed Aug 4, 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 saab 900. The contact stated that while parking, the air bags deployed haphazardly. The air bag deployment caused the windshield to become cracked and the contact to suffer minor hearing lost. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The mechanic stated the vehicle was destroyed due to…”
Air Bags · filed Oct 15, 2012
“1997 saab 900 se turbo- direct ignition cassette failure caused vehicle to stall in middle of road. *tr”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed May 24, 2009
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
Technical service bulletins
43 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Saab 900. The 10 most recent:
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to reprogram the media disc player with the latest calibrations to correct a condition of the rear entertainment system not operating as intended in colder ambient…
16NA260 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 26, 2016
Vehicle Recalls
Recalls · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 30, 2014
Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
130089009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2013
Subject regarding replacement of srs wiring harness. *tt
850 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 13, 2001
Information on replacing connecting tab on electrically heated rear window. *tt
8111984 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2000
Some vehicles may exhibit irritating road and wind noise penetrating into the cabin through the cover at the top of the b-pillar. *tt
8112156 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1999
Concerns with cracks in soft top cover foil strip. *tt
8112099 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 1, 1999
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
On some vehicles, the soft top (tonneau) cover latches may not open fully or fast enough when the soft top cover is being opened. *tt
8111988 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 1999
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 1997 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 1997 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.