Owners filed 19 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm). It has been recalled 4 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
3
0
0
0
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
3
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
3
0
0
0
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
1
0
0
0
Tires
1
0
0
0
Seat Belts
1
0
0
0
Power Train › Axle Assembly
1
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
1
0
0
0
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
1
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive99V109000
Filed May 6, 199926,116 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE AIR BAG INFLATABLE RESTRAINT ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AND CAUSE CORROSION ON PORTIONS OF THE ECM PRINTER CIRCUIT BOARDS.
Risk. THIS CORROSION CAN POSSIBLY CREATE OPEN CONNECTIONS IN CIRCUITS WHICH CONTROL THE RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT, POSSIBLY CAUSING INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF THE ECM. IF THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MOISTURE, A COVER WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE ECM. IF THERE IS INDICATION OF MOISTURE, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ECM AND INSTALL A COVER OVER THE NEW ECM.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module95V067000
Filed Mar 29, 199512,091 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. MOISTURE CAN FOLLOW THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS AND ENTER THE PRESSURE SWITCH CONNECTOR CAUSING CORROSION AND MALFUNCTION OF THE SWITCH.
Risk. THE CORROSION CAUSES A DETERIORATION OF THE ELECTRICALSWITCH CONNECTION AND CAN RESULT IN FALSE ILLUMINATION OF ABS AND/OR THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS AND/OR THE LOSS OF POWER ASSISTANCE BECAUSE OF NO HYDRAULIC PUMPOPERATION. LOSS OF POWER ASSIST INCREASES THE DRIVER'S BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT REQUIRED FOR STOPPING WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS TO THE ABS PRESSURE SWITCH TERMINALS FOR CORROSION AND INSTALL A SHRINK HOSE TO THE WIRING HARNESS TO AVOID MOISTURE ENTERING THE CONNECTION. PRESSURE SWITCHES WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS WILL BE REPLACED.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System94V126000
Filed Jul 8, 199412,040 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. DURING LOW ENERGY FRONTAL IMPACT COLLISIONS, THE FRONT CROSSMEMBER CAN CONTACT THE METAL TUBING PORTION OF THE COOLER HOSE ASSEMBLY; AND/OR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK AND LEAK OIL ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD OR THE TURBOCHARGER.
Risk. OIL LEAKING ON THESE HOT ENGINE SURFACES CAN IGNITE AND CAUSE A VEHICULAR FIRE.
Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
Fuel System, Gasoline94V029000
Filed Feb 3, 19945,824 vehiclesSaab Cars Usa, Inc.
Defect. THE FUEL FILLER AND TANK VENTILATION HOSES MAY DEVELOP CRACKS UNDER THE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE.
Risk. FUEL LEAKS MAY RESULT IN A FIRE IF AN IGNITION SOURCEIS PRESENT.
Remedy. THE FUEL FILLER AND FUEL VENTILATION HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEW HOSES. THE FIVE SECURING HOSE CLAMPS WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW TYPE WITH A SHIELD THAT PREVENTS DAMAGE TO THE HOSE WHEN TIGHTENED.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 9, 2006FL
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS I HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. IT HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER PURCHASED IN MY LIFE.. I HAVE HAD ABOUT SEVEN.. AND WOULD NEVER BUY A SAAB. THE TRANSMISSION WENT AT ABOUT 100,000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO THE ABS BRAKES FAILS. THE STEERING IS MAKING ALL KINDS OF NOISES. I HAD TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL PUMP..ECT...EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR I FEEL LIKE IT'S A DEATH TRAP. THIS IS THE 9000 CD NON TURBO BY THE WAY...JUST THOUGHT I WOULD LET THE NEXT GUY KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME. I HAVE PUT ALMOST 5,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS ALREADY, I WILL BE LUCKY IF I CAN SELL THIS CAR FOR $500 BUCKS AND I HAVE HAD IT ONLY ONE YEAR. *JB
Tires
Filed Mar 10, 2002NJ
THIS COMPLAINT CONCERNS BLIZZAK WS-50 WINTER TIRES MANUFACTURED BY BRIDGESTONE AND PURCHASED NEW FROM "THE TIRE RACK" THESE TIRES HAVE NOT EXHIBITED A "FAILURE" IN THAT THEY HAVE NOT DEFALTED, BLOWN OUT, SHREDDED ETC.THE CONCERN WITH THESE TIRES IS THEIR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS ON DRY PAVEMENT. THEY EXHIBIT EXTREME TREAD SQUIRM AND SIDEWALL FLEX. DURING CORNERING OR LANE CHANGES, THEY GIVE THE SENSATION THAT THEY WILL "TUCK UNDER" THE WHEEL RIM, LEADING TO A TIP OVER.THEY ARE AN EXTREMELY "SOFT" TIRE, WITH NO REASSURING FEELING OF SUPPORT IN THE SIDEWALL. IT SHOULD BE NOTED FOR SAKE OF COMPARISON THAT THE TWO PRIOR SETS OF WINTER TIRES ON THIS SAME VEHICLE WERE BRIDGESTONE WS-15 WHICH DID NOT EXHIBIT ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTICS. I HAVE CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE BOTH BY PHONE AND CERTIFIED LETTER TO EFFECT A REPLACEMENT OF THESE TIRES, WITHOUT SUCCESS. I WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION BOTH MY COPY OF THIS LETTER AND MY TELEPHONE CONVERSATION LOG IN THIS MATTER. THE VENDOR OFTHESE TIRES WAS "THE TIRE RACK". THIS ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS A WEB SITE BULLETIN BOARD FOR ITS CUSTOMERS TO POST COMMENTS REGARDING VARIOUS TIRES. I HAVE DOWNLOADED, PRINTED AND RETAINED SEVERAL CUSTOMER COMMENTS REGARDING THE NEGATIVE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF THESE TIRES ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WILL ALSO MAKE MY VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR TEST DRIVE BY THE LOCAL NHSTA OFFICE IF NECESSARY.PLEASE ADVISE.*AK (TIRESIZE: 19565QR15)
Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Feb 5, 2002MD
WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AT VERY LOW SPEEDS RIGHT SIDE OF AXLE BROKE, MAKING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Aug 23, 2001AZ
PLASTIC FUEL TANK SEVERE LEAK AT 2 INCH CRACK ON BOTTOM RIGHT REAR.
Seat Belts
Filed May 21, 2001NC
AS I BEGAN TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE (WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND), THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT TENSIONER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (PART OF THE SRS SYSTEM) DETONATED. IT SOUNDED AS IF A FIRECRACKER EXPLODED IN MY EAR. I HAD NOT YET PUT ON THE SEATBELT, SO I WASN'T INJURED, BUT IT WILL COST $650 FOR A NEW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAG/SRS SYSTEM HAS NEVER DEPLOYED BEFORE.*AK
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Dec 20, 2000NY
ETS SENDS CAR INTO LIMP HOME MODE MAKING CAR VERY HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. BRAKING SYSTEM HYDRUALICS ARE CONTROLED BY THIS UNIT AND ARE LIMITED. CAR STICKS IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE. SAAB HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO RESOLVE IT. ABS HAS 4 SENSORS ON THIS MODEL 2 FRONT 2 REAR THE 2 IN THE REAR ARE HYDRAULIC AND HAS A PRESSURE SWITCH THE SWITCH GOES WHACKY AND GIVES FALSE READINGS..... THUS PUTTING MY ABS DUMBY LIGHT ON IN MY DASH. HAS A GAS PEDAL POTEINTIOMETER THAT IS VERY TEMPERMENTAL THUS GIVING BAD CODES AND CAUSING MY CAR TO GO HAYWIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR ANY OTHER SPEED..... I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 55-60 MPH AND THE CAR AND ALL IT'S COMPONETS SHUT DOWN EXCEPT THE MOTOR I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO BRAKES OR STEERING THINKING MY CAR HAD STALLED AND IT WAS STILL IDLING . THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS CAR AND IT'S COMPONENTS WERE MAD BADLY , I FEEL SAAB SHOULD PUT A SAFETY RECALL ON ALL TCS COMPONENTS NOT JUST THE HYDRUALIC SWITCH. MY FIGHTINGS WITH SAAB ARE NO OVER AND I'M REPORTING TO A HIGHER AUTHORITY. THANKS FOR YOUR REVEIW OF THIS APPLICATION I HOPE TO HEAR FROM A ENGINEER AS SOON AS POSIBLE. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Nov 29, 2000AL
THE FUEL TANK DEVELOPED HOLES AND BEGAN LEAKING, THE LEAK DEVELOPED ABOVE THE SUPPORT STRAP ON THE RIGHT REAR. NLM
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 25, 2000ID
CONSUMER HAS BEEN WAITING FOR OVER A YEAR FOR RECALL REPAIR 99V109, DEALER IS WAITING ON PARTS. *SLC
Air Bags
Filed Jan 28, 2000NJ
RECALL 99V109000; RECALL REPAIRS ON VEHICLE WERE DONE. BUT AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALSO OWNER HAD THE RECALL ITEM BEFORE THE RECALL CAME OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Oct 11, 1999VA
1" HAIRLINE CRACK UPPER AFT OF TANK FUEL LEAKS. NO SIGN OF RUBBING OR PUNCTURE. MFG DEFECT?
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 25, 1999HI
I AM VERY UPSET! I WAS LED TO YOUR PAGE BY EDMUNDS CAR SERVICE AS I WAS CONTEMPLATING BUYING A NEW CAR. WHEN I LOOKED AT YOUR RECALL DATA FOR MY CAR, I FOUND TWO RECALLS ORDERED BY YOUR AGENCY WHICH I HAVE NOT BEING NOTIFIED BY SAAB. WHAT REALLY GETS ME IS THAT I HAVE ABEEN WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR, AND THE DEALER KNOWING THAT I HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE RECALLED ITEMS LISTED BY YOU, DID NOT DISCLOSE TO ME THAT THESE HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM. THEY ARE THE TWO LAST ITEMS SHOWN BY YOUR LISTING. ONE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM, WHEREIN MOISTURE CAUSES SWITCH TO FAIL. THEY TOLD ME THE "COMPUTER" SWITCH WOULD COST OVER $2000 TO REPAIR. MY WIFE ALMOST GOT INTO A CRASH, BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE CONKED OUT BECAUSE OF THIS TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM/ABS CAUSED A TOTAL FAILURE. THEY STILL HAVE NOT TOLD ME ABOUT THIS RECALL!!! 2 WEEKS AGO, SAAB FINALLY SENT A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO CHECK THE TCS/ABS TO TRY AN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, KAMIL SAAB, REPLACED A VACUUM SELENOID, AND ANOTHER VACUUM VALVE, AND SAID TO DRIVE IT. IT WORKED FINE, HOWEVER, FAILED AGAIN ON SUNDAY 5/23/99 WITH ME DRIVING, THEN YESTERDAY 5/24/1999 WHEN MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS DRIVING. SAME TCS/ABS INDICATIONS. I AM HOPPING MAD...THEY COULD HAVE AT LEAST TOLD US ABOUT THE RECALL. THE WESTERN DISTRICT SAAB CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER OFFERED ME A CERTIFICATE #1632, FOR $2500 TO BUY A NEW SAAB. I CAN FAX IT TO YOU...IT DOCUMENTS THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRACTION C
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 6, 1998MA
WHILE DRIVING A FIRE STARTED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER SUNVISOR WHICH IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER MIRROR , CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Sep 22, 1998MN
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH, VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO TRACTION CONTROL ON DRY ROAD AND IT STOPPED. HAD TO RESTART. WHEN HAPPENED AGAIN, HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER DUE TO BEING STUCK IN TRACTION MODE. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Dec 7, 1997CA
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED, VEHICLE ALMOST LOST CONTROL. *AK
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Aug 12, 1997CA
WHEN ACCELERATING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC OR PASS A VEHICLE, TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, ENGINE DROPS TO APPROX. 500 RMPS AND VEHICLE DIES. WAS UNABLE TO RESTART ENGINE.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed Nov 27, 1996MD
CLIPS SECURING INSERTS TO WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADE CAME OPEN ALLOWING BLADE TO SLIDE OUT OF HOLDER.
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 17, 1996FL
VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAK. *SD
Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 21, 1996MD
THE OWNER HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR STEERING TO BE FLUSHED, AND WAS TOLD THAT HIGH PRESSURE HOLES CAUSED LEAKING, PERVENTIVE MAINTANCE WAS NOT DONE. *AK
Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses and Circuit Breakers
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: May 6, 1999. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.