Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 Saab 900, and it carries 7 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 | 24 | 18% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 15 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 11 | 8% |
| Structure | 9 | 7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 5% |
| Visibility | 7 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 5% |
| Air bags | 5 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WHEN SHE NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE UNDER THE HOOD. MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED INADVERTENTL
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900S. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT AND IMMEDIATELY, THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN THE CONTACT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY HAD FA
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
1995 SAAB 900 LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN. THE BOTTOM HALF OF A TURN BROKE OFF AT A SHALLOW ANGLE SOME TIME AGO. THE BROKEN OFF SECTION STAYED IN THE RING AROUND THE STRUT AND MADE A LOUD THIN METAL RATTLE. IT SOUND
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER INTO REVERSE WHILE THE KEY IS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN NEUTRAL. HE CAN ALSO ACCIDENT
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900 CONVERTIBLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEH
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS NUMEROUS TIMES UNLESS THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. WHILE IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS INTO
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE REVERSE GEAR IS ENGAGED, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OUT OF GEAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE GEAR REPAIRED, BUT THE MEC
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND TIMING CHAIN SNAPPED CAUSING THE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CONTACTED SAAB USA AT 1-800-955-9007 AND SPOKE WITH SUPERVISOR LEMONT. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SAAB DOES NOT C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE AIR BAG ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) IS DESIGNED TO SENSE AND DISCRIMINATE FRONTAL IMPACT EVENTS, COMMAND AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER DEPLOYMENTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND PERFORM CONTINUOUS DIAGNOSTICS OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE POSSIB
Risk: IF THIS MOISTURE COMES INTO CONTACT WITH THE ELECTROLYTE FROM THE CAPACITOR, IT FORMS A HIGHLY CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL THAT COULD CREATE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT. THIS ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD TRIGGER T
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW AIR BAG ECU. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 4, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REM
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
UPON STARTUP, A VOLTAGE DROP TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE CAN CAUSE A MALFUNCTION WHERE ENGINE SPEED FLUCTUATES FROM 600 TO 3,000 RPM FOR UP TO 30 SECONDS BEFORE NORMAL ENGINE IDLE OF 900 RPM.
Risk: UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE MAY CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND INCREASE THE POTENTIAL OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REVISED ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
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.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 24 of them (18%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 73/100. 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.