1998 Saab 900 problems & reliability
24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Saab 900, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. 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.
6 complaints report injuries (6 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags → | 12 | 50% |
| Electrical System | 3 | 13% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 2 | 8% |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 8% |
| Steering | 2 | 8% |
| Power Train | 1 | 4% |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 4% |
| Seats | 1 | 4% |
| Wheels | 1 | 4% |
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
“Car started and driven approx 50 yards and then came to traffic light and stopped. Driver noticed that the srs light on the display panel was illuminated at stop light. Passenger airbag deployed before car proceeded. Car driven to opposite side of street to park and assess situation. While car being driven across…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 30, 2017
“Warm engine was restarted and car driven to intersection roughly 50 yards away. At stop light, srs light became illuminated and then passenger side airbag deployed while car still stopped. Car then turned to go to other side of street to park. While car being driven crossing street, approx 5 mph max, driver side…”
Air Bags · filed Jul 30, 2017
“I own a auto repair shop and was driving a customer vehicle. I was driving straight down the street at 20-25 mph when the passenger airbag exploded. It was a very scary experience, I pulled over to the side of the road. After a minute I decided I should pull the car a little more off the road , as I was doing that the…”
Air Bags · filed Mar 30, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Preliminary Evaluation PE01018 · opened May 24, 2001 · closed Aug 9, 2001 · led to recall 01V222000
- DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY
Defect Petition DP00008 · opened Sep 25, 2000 · closed Nov 19, 2001
- STOP SALE NOTICE
Investigation SQ98023 · opened Oct 29, 1998 · closed Nov 24, 1998
- NEW WHEEL BOLTS
Investigation SQ98018 · opened Oct 9, 1998 · closed Oct 27, 1998
Technical service bulletins
31 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 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
Some convertibles within certain vin ranges may exhibit a twisted seat belt(s) in the strap guide. *tt
8112119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2000
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
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
The 1998 Saab 900 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
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 1998 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.