The 1988 Saab 900 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 73,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the parking brake. Last updated July 5, 2026.
WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST SHARP EDGES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND AGAINST A SUPPORT UNDER THE REAR SEAT (1988 MODELS ONLY).
THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT; THE RESULTING HEATBUILDUP COULD CAUSE SMOKE OR A FIRE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.
INSTALL RUBBER PROTECTIVE STRIPS TO SHARP EDGES AND COMPLETELY ENCASE WIRE HARNESS IN A PROTECTIVE PLASTIC TUBE.
BOLTS USED IN THE ATTACHMENTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION SYSTEM CONTROL ARMS MAY BE DEFECTIVE.
IF MORE THAN ONE OF THE THREE BOLTS SHOULD FAIL, LOWERFRONT CONTROL ARM COULD COME LOOSE LEADING TO LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF AFRONT WHEEL.
REPLACE BOLTS WITH PROPER SPECIFICATION BOLTS.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Front left control arm broke pulling out of driveway causing loss of steering control, wheel to fall off and causing damage to shock, wheel bearing and c.v. Joint. *ak”
“Driver's seat anchoring bracket which attaches to seat base broke away from the attachment bolt. Odometer became inoperable and this seems to be the case on most pre-1990 models as stated by mechanic who specializes in saab repairs. Mechanic states that this issue involves the gearing mechanism…”
“Driver's seat anchoring bracket which attaches to seat base broke away from the attachment bolt. Odometer became inoperable and this seems to be the case on most pre-1990 models as stated by mechanic who specializes in saab repairs. Mechanic states that this issue involves the gearing mechanism…”
“Motorized seat belts are defective. Sometimes they don't engage, sometimes they don't release. This is a serious safety issue, and I feel the manufacturer should be responsible for the repairs. *ak.”
“Sudden acceleration, causing accident/injury.”
“Premature wear of ring & pinion gear; also, premature wear of front brake rotors; cruise control failure, causing vehicle to surge and cooling fan/thermostat failure. *ak”
“Premature wear of ring & pinion gear; also, premature wear of front brake rotors; cruise control failure, causing vehicle to surge and cooling fan/thermostat failure. *ak”
“Premature wear of ring & pinion gear; also, premature wear of front brake rotors; cruise control failure, causing vehicle to surge and cooling fan/thermostat failure. *ak”
There is no summary currently available
There is no summary currently available
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Saab 900 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.