1994 Saab 900: recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1994 Saab 900. The newest campaign is 98V038000. NHTSA received the report on 24 Feb 1998. The NHTSA record gives the component Exterior Lighting / Headlights. NHTSA has 43 complaints on file for this model year. 3 NHTSA investigations name this model year.

The NHTSA recall file shows no do-not-drive advisory and no park-outside advisory on these campaigns.

This page cannot show if a recall applies to one vehicle. The NHTSA VIN lookup shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle.

Remedy of the newest campaign, 98V038000, in the NHTSA record

Owners will be sent aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the owner guides. If an owner so desires, a dealer can affix the inserts in their owner guide for them.

NHTSA VIN lookup

Complaint information entered into NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation vehicle owner's complaint database is used with other data sources to identify safety issues that warrant investigation and to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists.
NHTSA publishes these words. Source: NHTSA Datasets and APIs, section Complaints, read on 1 Oct 2026. Complaint file through 29 Mar 2018. Recall file through 29 Sep 2026.

Since the last update

No tracked figure of this page changed in a data update. What the log tracks

All updates to the register

Recall campaigns

8 campaigns, newest first. 186,106 units in total.

98V03800024 Feb 1998Exterior Lighting / Headlights
97V04600021 Mar 1997Vehicle Speed Control
95V06800029 Mar 1995Power Train / Manual Transmission
94V22600018 Nov 1994Seats / Front Assembly / Recliner
94V17400014 Sep 1994Structure / Body / Door
94V1270008 Jul 1994Seats
94V11000013 Jun 1994Seats
94V07400016 Apr 1994Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc

98V038000Received 24 Feb 1998. 92,505 units.
Exterior Lighting / Headlights
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The instructions for properly aiming the headlighting system were omitted. This does not meet the requirements of FMVSS no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Owners will be sent aiming instructions, and directions for affixing these inserts to the owner guides. If an owner so desires, a dealer can affix the inserts in their owner guide for them.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jun 1998.
97V046000Received 21 Mar 1997. 52,500 units.
Vehicle Speed Control
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Corrosion around the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing can cause the throttle lever to bind.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This binding can result in the throttle plate not returning to the closed position when the throttle pedal is released and a subsequent loss of throttle control.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the zinc-coated throttle control lever bushing with a nickel-coated bushing and bolt.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 5 May 1997.
95V068000Received 29 Mar 1995. 8,993 units.
Power Train / Manual Transmission
Defect, in the NHTSA record
It is possible to move the shift lever into the reverse gear position, remove the ignition key, and still have the transmission in neutral, or, to accidently disengage reverse by striking the gear lever.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
If the parking brake is not applied, the car can roll from its original parked position increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace transmission linkage components and complete a specially developed service adjustment procedure that will ensure that when the shift is moved to the reverse position, the reverse gear is actually engaged.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 7 Jul 1995.
94V226000Received 18 Nov 1994. 10,584 units.
Seats / Front Assembly / Recliner
Defect, in the NHTSA record
One or more of the arc welds can be missing on the seat back frame recliner.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This can result in a seat back falling backwards under a load.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Both front seat backs will be inspected with the use of a hook to pull back the seat back upholstery. For any seat with missing welds, the seat back frame/recliner will be replaced.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 12 Jan 1995.
94V174000Received 14 Sep 1994. 9,814 units.
Structure / Body / Door
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The two weld points in the rearward attachment bracket for the side impact protection beam in the rear door may be out of position. If the welds are out of position, the vehicles will not meet the requirements of FMVSS 214, s5, "side door strength."
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Consequence of non-compliance: passengers sitting in the rear seats will be subject to an increased risk of injury in the event of a side collision.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install support brackets at the support weld locations.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Dec 1994.
94V127000Received 8 Jul 1994. 1,015 units.
Seats
Defect, in the NHTSA record
Two trigger springs mounted to the fore/aft adjustment lever do not develop sufficient force to properly lock the seat rails. After the seat is adjusted, this does not allow the seat rail lock to properly engage, which can cause the seat to move in a sudden stop or collision.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This can increase the possibility of injury to a seat occupant in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will remove both front seats and the two springs on each seat will be replaced with new springs with proper tension to ensure proper engagement.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 20 Oct 1994.
94V110000Received 13 Jun 1994. 3,252 units.
Seats
Defect, in the NHTSA record
A weld in the seat rails was not made, increasing the risk of fatigue cracks forming around the attachment bushings on the height adjustment mechanism, causing the possibility of the height adjuster breaking in a rear end collision and allowing the seat to fold backwards.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
This can increase the risk of injury to seat occupants.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will install new front seat frame rails.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 9 Sep 1994.
94V074000Received 16 Apr 1994. 7,443 units.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Disc
Defect, in the NHTSA record
The original front brake discs and/or pads shields do not protect the assemblies from being coated with a layer of slush, road salt or water while driving in snow or heavy rain. This can result in a delay in braking action that increases normal stopping distance.
Consequence, in the NHTSA record
Increased stopping distance could result in an accident.
Remedy, in the NHTSA record
Dealers will replace the original front brake shields with a new design. An additional hole will be drilled in the steering king pin housing to attach a larger cover plate. A smaller protection plate will also be attached to the existing two bolts in the hub.
Report filed by SAAB CARS USA, INC.. Owner notification date in the NHTSA record: 15 Jun 1994.

The campaign number opens the NHTSA record. Each quotation is the text of the NHTSA recall file.

Recall campaign: One recall in the NHTSA recall file, with one campaign number. A campaign can name many makes, models and model years.

Units: The number of vehicles or products that a recall can include. The manufacturer or the firm reports the number to the agency.

Complaints by component

43 complaints, 87 component mentions.

A complaint can name more than one component. Each component that a complaint names is one component mention. The figure per 1,000 component mentions shows how many of each 1,000 mentions name the component.

1994 Saab 900
All 1994 vehicles

1994 Saab 900: complaints by component, per 1,000 component mentions
Component	1994 900	All 1994 vehicles	900, all years	Mentions
Engine and Engine Cooling	183.9	111.5	137.3	16
Electrical System	126.4	73.1	148.4	11
Power Train	126.4	95.9	124.3	11
Vehicle Speed Control	103.4	41.6	51.9	9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	69	176.8	70.5	6
Visibility	57.5	72	44.5	5
Suspension	46	39.9	46.4	4
Unknown or Other	46	13.8	22.3	4
Air Bags	34.5	56.9	64.9	3
Exterior Lighting	34.5	25.6	37.1	3

The table shows the 10 components with the most mentions, of 21.

Complaints that report a crash: 3
Complaints that report a fire: 2
Injuries in the complaints: 0
Deaths in the complaints: 0
Date of the newest complaint: 15 Nov 2004

These figures are the entries of the persons who sent the complaints.

Complaint: A report about a possible safety problem that a person sends to NHTSA. This site shows the number of complaints and not their text.

Complaints about the 1994 Saab 900, by the year NHTSA received them. The largest year is 1995, with 10 complaints.

Investigations

NHTSA investigations that name the 1994 Saab 900
Number	Type	Subject	Component	Opened	Closed
DP00008	Defect petition	DEFECTIVE WATER PUMP PULLEY	Engine and Engine Cooling	25 Sep 2000	19 Nov 2001
SQ98018	Safety query	NEW WHEEL BOLTS	Wheels	9 Oct 1998	27 Oct 1998
SQ98006	Safety query	AUDIO SYSTEM FIRES	Electrical System	22 Apr 1998	8 May 1998

Investigation: A study of a possible safety defect by the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation with no closing date in the NHTSA file is open.

Other model years

The number under each year is the number of recall campaigns.

19794
19802
19812
19821
19831
19841
19851
19862
19872
19882
19892
19900
19910
19920
19930
19948
19957
19963
19973
19983
19990
20000

A year without a link has fewer than 2 campaigns and fewer than 25 complaints. It has no page.

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Official channels

NHTSA VIN lookupNHTSA shows the unrepaired recalls of one vehicle from its VIN or its license plate.
NHTSA: report a safety problemThe NHTSA form for a complaint about a vehicle, a tire, a child seat or equipment.
NHTSA page of the 1994 Saab 900The recalls, the complaints and the investigations that NHTSA shows for this model year.

Cite this page

Recall Register. 1994 Saab 900: recalls and complaints. https://recallregister.com/vehicle/saab/900/1994/. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall, complaint and investigation files. Data through 29 Sep 2026.

Sources

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation
Licence: US government work, public domain
Recall file through: 29 Sep 2026
Complaint file through: 29 Mar 2018
First complaint in the file: 1 Jan 1995
Manufacturer in the recall file: SAAB CARS USA, INC.

The NHTSA record is the authority. A complaint count is the number of different complaint numbers for the make, the model and the model year. How the register is made. Report an error.

Questions

How many units are in the recall campaigns for the 1994 Saab 900?: 186,106 units in 8 campaigns. A campaign can name other models and model years, and its units include them.
How many recall campaigns does the Saab 900 have for all model years?: NHTSA lists 30 recall campaigns for the Saab 900, model years 1979 to 2000. 8 of them name the 1994 model year.
Which component do the complaints about the 1994 Saab 900 name most often?: Engine and Engine Cooling: 16 of 87 component mentions, or 183.9 per 1,000. For all 1994 vehicles the figure is 111.5 per 1,000.
Is an NHTSA investigation of the 1994 Saab 900 open?: No. Each of the 3 investigations that name this model year has a closing date in the NHTSA file.