Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1996 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 ↗SAAB/FMVSS 108
- Summary
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.
SAAB/THROTTLE CONTROL
- Summary
- CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
- Consequence
- THIS BINDING CAN RESULT IN THE THROTTLE PLATE NOT RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE THROTTLE PEDAL IS RELEASED AND A SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING WITH A NICKEL-COATED BUSHING AND BOLT.
SAAB/INTERIOR SYSTEMS:RESTRAINT
- Summary
- DURING STATIC TESTING OF BELT ANCHORAGE POINTS, THE OUTBOARD ATTACHMENT PLATE BEING USED IN THE TESTING DEFORMED AND DETACHED FROM THE SEAT ANCHORAGE. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 209, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES" AND NO. 210, "SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY ANCHORAGES."
- Consequence
- CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE BELT MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT SHOULD A VEHICLE CRASH OCCUR.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLIES FOR THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE. ANY ASSEMBLY WITH DATE YEAR 96 WEEK 10 DAY 2 WILL BE REPLACED.
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 (48)
48 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 48 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 11 | 22.9% |
| Power train | 10 | 20.8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 18.8% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 12.5% |
| Air bags | 5 | 10.4% |
| Equipment | 5 | 10.4% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 6.3% |
| Steering | 3 | 6.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6.3% |
| Seats | 2 | 4.2% |
How 1996 compares with other 900 years
Best and worst 900 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 13 | 0 |
| 1992 | 21 | 0 |
| 1993 | 6 | 0 |
| 1994 | 44 | 8 |
| 1995 | 100 | 7 |
| 1996 | 48 | 3 |
| 1997 | 21 | 3 |
| 1998 | 24 | 3 |
| 1999 | 2 | 0 |
| 2000 | 1 | 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.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Subcompact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 25 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 15 / 23 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1996 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
1996 Saab 900 FAQ
How many recalls does the 1996 Saab 900 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 98V038000 (lighting), 97V046000 (vehicle speed control), 96V077000 (seat belt). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1996 Saab 900 problems?
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (11), Power train (10), Engine and engine cooling (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1996 Saab 900 get?
EPA rates the 2.3 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 18 city, 26 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1996 900 compare with other years?
Among the 1991–2000 Saab 900 model years at least five years old, the 2000 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1995 the most (100). The 1996 drew 48. 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.