1994 Saab 900

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

75/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Saab 900, and it carries 8 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.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Engine and engine cooling	12	18%
Electrical system	10	15%
Power train	10	15%
Vehicle speed control	6	9%
Service brakes	4	6%
Suspension	4	6%
Air bags	2	3%
Unknown or other	2	3%
Visibility	2	3%
Seats	1	1%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS CRACKED AND HAD A DAMAGED FRAME THAT WAS DETERIORATING. THE SEAT WAS NOT SECURED AND WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FRONT PASSENGER
NHTSA complaint: Seats

THE EXPERIENCE LEAKING HEAD GASKET REPEATED PROBLEM. THE ENGINE OVERHEATING AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. *BF THE BRAKES SQUEALED WHEN STOPPING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE, THE BATTERY LIGHT H
NHTSA complaint: Steering

WHILE DRIVING ON THE DAN RYAN EXPRESSWAY AT 3:00 P.M. ON 4/30/04, I HEARD A POP AND I THOUGHT A BELT SNAPPED, MY CAR, A 1994 SAAB S, JERKED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GAIN CONTROL. I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER. I LOOKED IN THE R
NHTSA complaint: Tires

IN JULY OF 2003, SAAB OF SANTA MONICA, CA REPLACED THE TIMING BELT ON MY USED 1994 SAAB 900 (65,000 MILE SERVICE). THE LABOR WAS COMPLIMENTARY AND COVERED UNDER A CHANGE IN SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OUTLINED BY SAAB USA IN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

VEHICLE STALLED IN TRAFFIC DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE.*MR THE GASKET SURROUNDING THE TIMING BELT COVER BECAME TANGLED WITH THE TIMING BELT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO START.*TS *JB
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND A BUNDLE OF WIRES HELD TOGETHER BY A PLASTIC BINDER WIRE CLIP. THE BUNDLE BECAME LOOSE AND A WIRE WAS EXPOSED TO AND RUBBING ON
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIMMING BELT TENSION ON HER VEHICLE. CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT SHE HAS REPLACED IT ONCE AND IT WAS WARRANTIED FOR 3500 MILES AND IT HAS HAPPEND AGAIN THIS ALSO C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling

RECALL 95 V 068 000/TRANSMISSION MANUAL: VEHICLE OPERATED IN REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUME RTHAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER RECALL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 1994 Saab 900. 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.

Structure:body:door 94V174000

THE TWO WELD POINTS IN THE REARWARD ATTACHMENT BRACKET FOR THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION BEAM IN THE REAR DOOR MAY BE OUT OF POSITION. IF THE WELDS ARE OUT OF POSITION, THE VEHICLES WILL NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 214, S5, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH."

Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: PASSENGERS SITTING IN THE REAR SEATS WILL BE SUBJECT TO AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE COLLISION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SUPPORT BRACKETS AT THE SUPPORT WELD LOCATIONS.

Service brakes 94V074000

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.

Fix: 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

Power train:manual transmission 95V068000

IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO THE REVERSE GEAR POSITION, REMOVE THE IGNITION KEY, AND STILL HAVE THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, OR, TO ACCIDENTLY DISENGAGE REVERSE BY STRIKING THE GEAR LEVER.

Risk: IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, THE CAR CAN ROLL FROM ITS ORIGINAL PARKED POSITION INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE A SPECIALLY DEVELOPED SERVICE ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT WHEN THE SHIFT IS MOVED TO THE REVERSE POSITION, THE REVERSE

Seats:front assembly:recliner 94V226000

ONE OR MORE OF THE ARC WELDS CAN BE MISSING ON THE SEAT BACK FRAME RECLINER.

Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A SEAT BACK FALLING BACKWARDS UNDER A LOAD.

Fix: BOTH FRONT SEAT BACKS WILL BE INSPECTED WITH THE USE OF A HOOK TO PULL BACK THE SEAT BACK UPHOLSTERY. FOR ANY SEAT WITH MISSING WELDS, THE SEAT BACK FRAME/RECLINER WILL BE REPLACED.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	91	excellent
Longevity est.	83	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	60	average
Performance	48	below average
Efficiency	36	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 73% of midsize & large cars
Longevity: better than 88% of midsize & large cars
Running costs: better than 97% of midsize & large cars
Value retention: better than 57% of midsize & large cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 91: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 83: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 1994 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 1994 Saab 900?

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 12 of them (18%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 1994 Saab 900 reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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.

How long will a 1994 Saab 900 last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1994 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 1994 Saab 900?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. 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.