Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1981 Saab 900. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗FUEL:FUEL PUMP
- Summary
- POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION AT THE FUEL GAUGE TRANSMITTER MAY RESULT IN A STOPPAGE OF THE FUEL PUMP AND ENGINE STALLING. IN EXTREME CASES, FUEL VAPOR MAY LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK.
- Remedy
- THE FUEL GAUGE TRANSMITTER WILL BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED, IF DAMAGED.
INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT BELTS:LAP:FRONT
- Summary
- THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT PERMANENT LUBRICATION IN THE BUCKLE/RELEASE MECHANISM OF THE TYPE 2 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. THIS MAY CAUSE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS TO HAVE DIFFICULTY IN FULLY FASTENING SEAT BELTS, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY SEEM TO BE FULLY FASTENED.
- Remedy
- A SPECIAL WAX LUBRICANT WILL BE SPRAYED INTO THE BUCKLE RECEPTACLE SLOT TO REMEDY DEFECT AND PREVENT REOCCURANCE. THIS WILL BE DONE WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (1)
1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 100% |
How 1981 compares with other 900 years
Best and worst 900 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 | 2 |
| 1982 | 1 | 1 |
| 1983 | 2 | 1 |
| 1984 | 2 | 1 |
| 1985 | 5 | 1 |
| 1986 | 9 | 2 |
| 1987 | 4 | 2 |
| 1988 | 13 | 2 |
| 1989 | 22 | 2 |
| 1990 | 19 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 1981 900 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1981 Saab 900 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1981 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 84V019000 (fuel pump), 81V147000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1981 Saab 900 problems?
Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1981 900 compare with other years?
Among the 1981–1990 Saab 900 model years at least five years old, the 1981 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1989 the most (22). The 1981 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.