On july 22, 2005 I was driving my '95 saab on the a1 motorway in united kingdom. I was using the cruise control at 70 MPH (posted speed limit) I had never used the cruise control in this vehicle before. (manual transmission) the incident happened during rush hour heading toward london. As I had to slow down, I had absolutely no brakes! I never had any issue with the brakes prior. Depressing the brake pedal did not disengage the cruise control and I was heading toward the rear end of a car at 70 MPH. I quickly swerved to the left lane, then off the road to avoid hitting vehicles and causing a multi-car pile up and potentially many deaths. I flew off the road, through a 5" steel sign post and rolled several times in a field. Amazingly, I was only bruised and battered, but of course the car is totaled. This is a potential serious defect! Even if the car is 10 years old, if there is some type of corrosion that happens to cause a failure of brakes to disengage the cruise control, many lives will be lost. Ironically, it was saab engineering that allowed me to walk out of the vehicle, while at the same time caused the accident. Police and witnesses were on scene who saw my brake lights come on, yet not slow down. As I said, the brakes were fine and I can only assume this had something to do with the cruise control. The car will be inspected by uk's vosa. Please advise. Thank you charles earhart.
Saab 900 brake failure problems
10 of the 299 owner complaints about the Saab 900 describe brake failure, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 10
- worst model year
- 1995
By model year
- 19955
- 19941
- 19932
- 19921
- 19901
Often reported together
ABS 3Adaptive cruise 2Won't shift 1Spongy pedal 1Headlights 1
What owners say
The shift lock release problem is the latest in a long series of problems with this car. It will cost approximately $800 to repair this problem. We have not had the air conditioner repaired yet. The neutral safety switch replacement was $500. The master cylinder was replaced because the dealership had just passed our car for inspection the previous day. (they did not believe us when we told them that the brake failure light was lit.) these cars are called saab for a reason we sob a lot everytime we get a repair bill. Dt
While driving, consumer commented that the digital indicator panel felt hot, consumer parked vehicle while at dinner, then returned, the power assist brakes failed and then the coolant low light, headlamp out and washer low indicators illuminated, the next morning consumer raised the hood and discovered a fire had occurred, the upper and lower radiator hoses had melted, the electrical wiring below the hoses were bare copper, the battery, power steering reservoir, plastic engine cover, battery cables, vacuum hoses and cooling fins on the electrical cooling motor had all melted, the hood insulation was also damaged, there was additional fire damage under the plastic engine cover, it is uncertain as to what caused this fire.
When applying the ABS brakes the pedal goes to the floor, causing extended stopping distance. Cause unknown. Please give any further details.
While driving vehicle made three jumps and accelerated down a hill, with no brakes and clutch would not shift down. Also, cruise control was not on. Emergency brake was put on and made vehicle stop. Dealer contacted, and cannot remedy the problem. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
While driving experience sintermittent ABS brake failure.
Abs: temporary power assist brake failure during cold start up. Saab has been aware of problem since january 1995. Tt
Brakes failed.
Emergency parking brake failed, vehicle rolled down an incline. Tt
While driving, experienced power brake failure, when pedal becomes spongy then goes too far down and continues to roll forward, brake action seems ineffective.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Increased stopping distance could result in an accident.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 94V074000 · Recall details
Questions about the Saab 900 brake failure
Which Saab 900 years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (5 complaints), 1993 (2 complaints) and 1990 (1 complaints).
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