Saab 900 reliability
The Saab 900 fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 36.6% of 2,536 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.
11 DVSA recalls for the Saab 900
Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.
Possible inadvertant deployment of front airbag(s).
A capacitor in the front air bag control unit may short circuit This could lead to an inadvertent deployment of the air bag(s).
Fix: Check the air bag control module and renew where found necessary.
Recalled models: 900 · 4,307 vehicles
Towball came adrift from towbar
A combination of internal and external forces caused the towball to prematurely detach itself from the towball housing resulting in separation of the trailer from the drawing unit.
Fix: All towballs and housing will initially be modified and then replaced with calibrated units at a later date.
Recalled models: 900 · 596 vehicles
Unintentional deployment of passenger air bag
A build up of static electricity may cause unintentional deployment of the front passenger air bag.
Fix: Recall affected vehicles and fit a grounding wire between the air bag module and the vehicle body.
Recalled models: 900 · 4,166 vehicles
Possibility of the throttle binding
Binding of the throttle lever may occur due to the possibility of white corrosion.
Fix: The affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the zinc coated bushing in the throttle lever with a nickel coated version.
Recalled models: 900 · 22,135 vehicles
Specification of seat belt tongue
The tongue at the end of the seat belt has not been hardened to the correct specification.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the seat belt assembly.
Recalled models: 900 · 351 vehicles
Misalignment of steering column
The steering column may have been misaligned during assembly. This could cause fatigue in the column and result in loss of steering control.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for inspection of the steering column. Where misalignment is found the steering column assembly will be replaced.
Recalled models: 900 · 1,678 vehicles
Possible short circuit
The security siren wiring terminal which is tied back by the left hand headlamp assembly has not been sufficiently insulated. This could result in a short circuit.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and fit a plastic insulating sleeve to the subject terminal.
Recalled models: 900 · 103 vehicles
Missing welds on seat frame
On some vehicles some welds may be missing from the back frames of the front seats.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for checking of the front seat frames. Where a fault is identified the seat frame will be replaced.
Recalled models: 900 · 3,842 vehicles
Front seat security.
The front seats may not lock properly on the longitudinal adjustment/mounting rails.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for the fitment of new trigger springs to the seat adjusting mechanism.
Recalled models: 900 · 529 vehicles
Cracking of driving seat rails
The driving seat rail on manually adjustable seats may be subject to fatigue cracking.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original seat rails with quality assured examples.
Recalled models: 900 · 1,662 vehicles
Delayed braking action.
The front brake discs/pads could be affected by slush water or salt when driving in snow or heavy rain. This could adversely affect the efficiency of the brakes upon initial application.
Fix: Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the front brake disc shields with modified units giving increased weather protection.
Recalled models: 900 · 2,361 vehicles
Checking a Saab 900 before you buy
Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.