NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 48 owner complaints for the 1996 Saab 900. Most complaints involve electrical system (10) and engine and engine cooling (8). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined.
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."
CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.
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."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“DRIVING SMOOTHLY AT 50 MPH IN 1996 SAAB 900 SE TURBO, 99K MILES. ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY BUT SMOOTHLY DROPS TO ZERO AND STOPPED IN A VERY UNSAFE PLACE ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. ABSOLUTELY NO FAULTS OF ANY KIND OCCURRED DURING THE MONTHS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT. THIS CAR'S DIRECT IGNITION CASSETTE WAS REPLACED ONCE ALREADY IN JAN. 2000 BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. *JB”
“WHILE DRIVING BALL BEARRINGS EXPLODED IN THE LOWER ENGINE. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BOOM. THE VEHICLE WAS FULL OF CLEAN OIL. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MAUFACTURER AND THE DEALER. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT DEALER. *AK”
“INTERMITTENTLY GEARBOX LIGHT WILL LIGHT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE 1ST AND SECOND GEAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS VEHICLE MAY NOT GET UP TO HIGHTWAY SPEEDS AT RAMPS, ALMOST CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE W/ SAAB. I CONTACTED THEM REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATED THERE ARE NO SAFETY ISSUES OPEN ON THIS VEHICLE. OVER 25 POSTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM ON SAABNET.COM. DEALER HAS TRIED TO REPAIR VEHICLE TWICE WITHOUT SUCCESS. I HAVE SPENT OVER $800.00 TRYING TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM . PLEASE HELP. *AK”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 900 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 900 Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| 900 Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 900 Convertible Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| 900 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| 900 Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| 900 Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 25 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| 900 Convertible Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| 900 Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| 900 Convertible Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 48 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (10), engine and engine cooling (8), power train (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1996 Saab 900 at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).