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1998 Saab 900 problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Saab 900 is airbags, typically around 169,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical 900 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
24
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
31
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-22mpg

The worst 1998 Saab 900 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    12
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Steering
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    12
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Lights
    2
  • Steering
    2
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Transmission
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontalReported July 2, 2001 · 12,036 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Static electricity can build up within the passenger-side air bag module and create enough of a charge to cause an inadvertent air bag deployment. Most of these inadvertent deployments have occurred in cooler, dry weather, and have generally included dusting or wiping of the dashboard, starting the car, or closing the door.
Risk
Unexpected air bag deployment can result in occupant injury.
Remedy
Dealers will install a front passenger-side air bag module grounding strap. Owner notification began september 24, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact saab at 1‑800‑955‑9007.

Recall number 01V222000 · Recall details

Equipment: other: labelsReported June 23, 1998 · 39,313 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The air bag alert label on the driver side visor was omitted. This does not conform to the requirements of fmvss no. 208, "occupant crash protection."
Risk
The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts.
Remedy
Owners will be provided with an alert label to be installed on the visible side of the driver's sun visor. If an owner so desires, their dealer can install the label for them.

Recall number 98V139000 · Recall details

Exterior lighting: headlightsReported February 24, 1998 · 92,505 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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."
Risk
If the headlamp assemblies are replaced, customers may not be able to properly aim the headlights.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 98V038000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Saab 900

Defect investigations

Inadvertent air bag deploymentOpened May 24, 2001, closed August 9, 2001

Alleged that the passenger-side frontal air bag deployed inadvertently without a frontal crash.

PE01018

Defective water pump pulleyOpened September 25, 2000, closed November 19, 2001

a

DP00008

Stop sale noticeOpened October 29, 1998, closed November 24, 1998

See resume for details.

SQ98023

New wheel boltsOpened October 9, 1998, closed October 27, 1998

saab issued a tsb informing dealers about a new wheel mounting bolt.If the issue is loosening of the lug nut, this could lead to bolt fatigue and the potential for a wheel separation.

SQ98018

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Saab 900 31

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 31 bulletins for the 1998 Saab 900

1998 Saab 900 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD17-2023-2619-22
2.3L 4‑cylFWD18-2024-2620-22

What 1998 Saab 900 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 30, 2017 · Airbags · 215,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

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 airbag deployed. Road conditions were dry and clean, with no debris on road. Weather was good, with no rain, thunder or lightning present. Driver sustained superficial burns on lateral side of r forearm and hand. No apparent damage to face or eyes.

Filed Jul 30, 2017 · Airbags · 210,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

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 street, driver side airbag also deployed. No collision with and no tapping of another car occurred. Road conditions were dry and w/o debris. No rain was falling and no lighting or thunder was present. What appear to be first degrees burns were sustained on the lateral aspect of the right forearm and hand. No visible damage to eye or face.

Filed Mar 30, 2017 · Airbags · 200 miles · CA

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 drivers side airbag went off.

Filed Dec 19, 2015 · Airbags · 130,000 miles · NY

I had just pulled out of a parking lot onto a street, going straight, at about 20 MPH, when the passenger side airbag deployed. About a minute later, the driver side airbag deployed, hitting me. I pulled over. The car had not hit anything prior to deployment. The result is that the windshield is cracked, the interior overhead light dislodged and I was disoriented.

Filed May 10, 2010 · Airbags · 76,500 miles · NV · 1 injury

I was sitting in my car in a parking lot with the engine running. The car was in park when the passenger side air bag deployed. Gm will not fix the car and has offered a very low repurchase offer ($1100.00 less than kbb trade in value).

Filed Oct 3, 2009 · Airbags · 174,000 miles · GA

Both airbags deployed for no apparent reason. The SRS light illuminated followed by deployment of the passenger bag. The driver side bag deployed approximately 30 seconds after the passenger bag deployed.

Filed May 19, 2008 · Electrical · 96,000 miles · MS

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 saab 900 se turbo. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began stalling, spitting, and stuttering as if it needed gas. The vehicle then shut off and restart. The vehicle was diagnosed with direct ignition cassette failure and has remained parked ever since. The current and failure mileages were 96,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2007 · Electrical · 62,000 miles · VA

My 1998 saab 900 se turbo convertible has 62,000 miles on it, and yet I've just had to replace the direct ignition cassette which completely failed -- thankfully I was still in the driveway when it conked out, this is ridiculously early in the life of the car according to my saab specialist mechanic. I saw that the 2000 and 2002 model di cassettes were recalled but not the earlier models. Wondering if there's a way for redress.

Filed Mar 6, 2007 · Engine · 50,000 miles · MA

Chronic, abrupt stalling problems for 3+ years. Dealership has tried to repair on at least, 15+ occasions. Dealership had it at their facility for over 3 months one period, conducting diagnostic tests. Parts changed: sensors; multiple times, wiring harness, "main computer chip" and various other parts. The car abruptly stalls. It will stall at anytime - whether driving, coasting, at a stop, or on the expressway. It will stall without warning and is very difficult to control the vehicle safely to the roadside multiple times over and over without causing a collision. I just got the vehicle back from the dealership again last week after they "possibly fixed it again" . I drove a distance of 15 miles before the car started stammering, jerking and stalling again. It took me over an hour to drive the return few back home, which was a harrowing experience. The vehicle is kept garaged by me, in mint body condition inside and out and only has 65,000 miles on it. Saab has offered to apply 4,000 credit toward a purchase of another vehicle from them. It is clear saab knows that this vehicle is defective or would not have made offer. Unfortunately, the vehicle is worth much more than what they had offered; aside from being mechanically defective/unrepairable, they can't trace the problem in their vehicle that they made. I can't afford to get in another car pymt and am in real fear that will be involved in a crash in this clearly defective vehicle. I had previously filed a complaint for exact this same mechanical problem (that still has not been resolved nor even investigated by the odi or the federal safety agency). I see posts all over the internet with same or similar problems with saab vehicles. Someone needs to investigate this problem as it is very serious and dangerous to have these vehicles on the road. Unfortunately, I'm sure that I am not the only one that has no other option than to drive a vehicle like this.

Filed Nov 27, 2006 · Airbags · 169,000 miles · VT

Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, the passenger side air bag deployed. There were no warnings prior to the incident. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 01v222000, regarding air bags:frontal. The contact did not receive any notification about this recall.

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Questions about the 1998 Saab 900

Is the 1998 Saab 900 reliable?

Owners have filed 24 complaints about the 1998 Saab 900, close to a typical 900 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Saab 900?

Airbags, with 12 complaints, typically around 169,000 miles. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 1998 Saab 900 have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Saab 900 get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Saab 900 range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 17-20 city and 23-26 highway.

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