Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Saab 9000, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 8 | 26% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Tires | 1 | 3% |
| Suspension | 1 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WE FIXED THE CAR THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL WAS LEAKING, AND IT WAS A BIG SPRAY IN THE TRUNK, AFTER THAT WE HAD TROUBLE WITH TURNING IT ON AND IT STAYING ON. NOW THE CAR ABOUT NOVEMBER '05 IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE GAS AGAIN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE LOST BRAKING OPERATION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE BRAKE MOTOR WAS REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOUR TIMES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE, WHICH RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HAVING TO BE CUT OUT. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM CUTS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON, THE PEDEL FORCEFUL COMES UP, CAR SLOWS - COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER - AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE TILL FOOT IS LIFTED OF ACCELERATOR AND DEPRESSED AGAIN. PEDAL IS NOW HAR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA RECALL 99V109000, AIR BAG MODULE, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND AT TIMES THE LIGHT STAYED ON WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO FAIL. *AK *JB
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHILE DRIVING OR STARTING VEHICLE AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE WILL STALL, CAUSING ENGINE TO SHUTDOWN, AND VEHICLE TO BECAME INOPERATIVE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE; CURRENTLY, IT IS G
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE TRACTION CONTROL KICKS IN WITHOUT NEED WHEN THERE ARE NO SLICK SPOTS ON THE ROAD OR SOME TIMES A BUMP, IT ALSO ACTIVATES AT HIGH SPEEDS.*ET
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1993 Saab 9000. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Fix: 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.
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 HY
Fix: 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 S
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.
Fix: 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 I
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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER WHICH WILL PROTECT THE COOLER AND HOSES FROM OTHER STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS IN LOW ENERGY FRONT IMPACTS.
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 8 of them (26%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.