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Research · Midsize Cars

1997 Saab 900Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints for the 1997 Saab 900. Most complaints involve power train (3) and seat belts (2). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 1998
Owner complaints
21
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE AIR BAG ALERT LABEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE VISOR WAS OMITTED. THIS DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

EquipmentReported Jun 23, 1998NHTSA 98V139000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Feb 24, 1998NHTSA 98V038000

Vehicle speed control

Free remedy

CORROSION AROUND THE ZINC-COATED THROTTLE CONTROL LEVER BUSHING CAN CAUSE THE THROTTLE LEVER TO BIND.

Vehicle speed controlReported Mar 21, 1997NHTSA 97V046000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

21 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 1998 – Aug 2014
  1. Power train3
  2. Seat belts2
  3. Air bags2
  4. Structure2
  5. Electrical system2
  6. Vehicle speed control2
  7. Wheels2
  8. Fuel system, gasoline1
  9. Latches/locks/linkages1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each 900 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199648
199721
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

3 reports
“THREE TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR, THE CLUTCH CABLE ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN. THANKFULLY, EACH TIME I WAS WITHIN FOUR MILES OF MY HOME. WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO SHIFT, I WAS REQUIRED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HOME OR TO THE SERVICE STATION WITH NO STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO BLOW THROUGH STOP SIGNS AND AVOID TRAFFIC. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO THREE MONTHS FROM NOW WHEN THE CABLE BREAKS AGAIN LEAVING ME STRANDED IN A LESS CONVENIENT LOCATION. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 9, 2005Power trainODI 10135938

Seat belts

2 reports
“I WENT TO PUT MY SEAT BELT ON AND IT CAUGHT ON SOMETHING AND WOULDN'T LET ME EXTRACT THE BELT FROM THE RETRACTOR. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION IS NOT-OPERATIVE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2014Seat beltsODI 10618672

Air bags

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 SAAB 900. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED HAPHAZARDLY. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO BECOME CRACKED AND THE CONTACT TO SUFFER MINOR HEARING LOST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2012Air bagsODI 10480158
All 1997 900 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.3L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
900
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
900 Convertible
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
900
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
900
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,200444
900 Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
900 Convertible
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,200444
900
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400468
900
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
900 Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$3,400468
900 Convertible
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,400468
  • 900
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 900 Convertible
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • 900
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 900
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 900 Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.3 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 900 Convertible
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • 900
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 900
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 900 Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    16 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • 900 Convertible
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Saab 900 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3681
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1997 900 questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Saab 900 have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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.

What are the most common 1997 Saab 900 problems?

Owners filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), seat belts (2), air bags (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1997 Saab 900 get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Saab 900 at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026