1988 Saab 9000 problems
The Saab 9000 is a car produced by the Swedish company Saab from 1984 to 1998. Representing the company's foray into the executive car scene, it was developed as a result of the successes of the turbocharged 99 and 900 models. The 9000 remained in production until May 1998 and it was replaced by the Saab 9-5 in late 1997, although some final cars were produced into 1998. The Saab 9000 was only available with petrol engines, in two different 5-door hatchback designs or as a 4-door notchback.
Saab designed the 9000 as part of the Type Four platform in conjunction with the Italian automaker Fiat Automobiles. Fiat retailed similar derivative versions as the more basic Fiat Croma, the luxury-themed Lancia Thema, and the sports-oriented Alfa Romeo 164. Unlike the 164, which shares only the chassis, the Croma and Thema are outwardly similar to the 9000. As such, much of the bodywork appeared interchangeable between the 9000, Croma and Thema; for example, the doors. However, because Saab fitted heavier side impact protection they will not fit. Fiat had designed the Croma with no consideration of American crash test requirements, which forced Saab to strengthen the body by fitting various reinforcements. Thus, the front of the Saab is radically different from the Italian siblings due to the much improved crash protection. Only seven parts are actually interchangeable. The 9000's body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Saab designer Björn Envall.
Despite being shorter overall than the 900 which was still produced in parallel, the 9000 has a longer wheelbase and greater interior space with 3.5 cubic metres (120 cu ft) of interior space 0.67 cubic feet (0.019 m3) in the boot, 1.6 cubic metres (57 cu ft) with rear seats folded), qualifying as an EPA-rated large car, a distinction shared only with the contemporary Rolls-Royce in America. This was achieved by installing the engine transversely to the direction of travel in the Saab 9000 (instead longitudinally as in the Saab 900). Unlike the 900 the 9000 kept the ignition switch in the more conventional steering column position rather than between the front seats. The inspiration for the seats was taken by Björn Envall from The Muppet Show's Pigs in Space, a sketch by the late puppeteer Jim Henson.
In total, 503,087 Saab 9000s were manufactured. These are divided into: 216,385 Saab 9000 CC (MY 1985–1991), 174,525 Saab 9000 CS (MY 1992–1998), 112,177 Saab 9000 CD (MY 1988–1997).
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Common 1988 Saab 9000 problems
The Saab 9000, produced from 1984 to 1998, was known for its durability and long-lasting build quality. However, there were common issues that owners of the 1988 Saab 9000 reported.
One common problem was related to the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system, particularly in the Saab 9000 CD model. The system could experience failures such as malfunctioning air conditioning and heating. These issues could be due to a faulty blower motor or failed cabin temperature sensor.
The brake system was also prone to problems, particularly in the Saab 9000 CD. Issues such as squeaking brakes or a soft brake pedal could be caused by worn-out brake pads, damaged brake rotors, or failed brake calipers.
Turbocharger failure was a common issue in the Saab 9000 Aero, particularly in the 2.3-liter engine. This could be caused by a damaged turbocharger, worn-out turbo bearings, or clogged oil passages.
The cooling system was also prone to issues in the Saab 9000 Aero, particularly in the 2.3-liter engine. This could be due to a damaged radiator, worn-out hoses, or a failed water pump.
Suspension problems were common in the Saab 9000 Aero, particularly in the rear suspension. This could be due to worn-out bushings, damaged shocks, or a failed strut mount.
Timing belt failure was a common issue in the Saab 9000 equipped with a 2.0-liter engine. This could be due to a worn-out timing belt or a failed timing belt tensioner.
Oil sludge buildup was another common issue in the Saab 9000 equipped with a 2.0-liter engine. This could be due to poor maintenance, such as not changing the oil frequently enough or using low-quality oil.
Coolant leaks were a common issue in the Saab 9000 equipped with a 2.0-liter engine. This could be due to a damaged coolant hose, a failed radiator, or a damaged water pump.
The 2.3-liter engine in the Saab 9000 was prone to ignition module failure, which could cause the engine to misfire or not start at all. This could be due to a faulty ignition module or a damaged crankshaft position sensor.
Fuel system issues were also common in the Saab 9000 equipped with the 2.3-liter engine. This could be due to a clogged fuel filter, a failed fuel pump, or a malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator.
The 2.5-liter engine in the Saab 9000 was prone to oil pump failure, which could cause engine damage if not addressed promptly. This could be due to a failed oil pump or worn-out oil pump bearings.
Intake manifold issues were also common in the Saab 9000 equipped with the 2.5-liter engine. This could be due to a damaged or cracked intake manifold, which could cause a vacuum leak and affect engine performance.
Crankshaft position sensor failure was another common issue in the Saab 9000 equipped with the 2.5-liter engine. This could cause the engine to misfire or not start at all, and could be due to a faulty sensor or damaged wiring.
How good was the Saab 9000?
Good, old-fashioned 4-speed automatic does what you want and doesn't 'hunt'. Full-on 2.3 turbo Carlsson and Aero puts out 225bhp, which is very nearly too much. The more powerful turbos grip and handle best on Goodyear F1's or Toyo Proxes tyres. Ride quality a bit firm, but made up for by the excellent seats.
What is a Saab 9000 worth?
A: The average price of a Saab 9000 is $10,197.
How safe is a Saab 9000?
Saab's 9000 and 900 models were given top ratings in both of the surveys, consolidating their reputation as two of the safest cars on the road.
How many Saab 9000 are left?
There are 33,613,513 cars & other vehicles with valid MOTs. There are 582 SAAB 9000 left in the UK with an MOT. 0.0017% of all UK vehicles are SAAB 9000.
1988 Saab 9000 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Saab 9000 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Fuel system problems
- Gasoline problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Saab 9000 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Saab 9000 complaints
The NHTSA has received 17 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Saab 9000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-02-01
- VIN: YS3CT55L6J1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FAILURE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-12
- Fire: 1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: THE VEHICLE QUICKLY ENGULF IN FLAMES, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED EA95-0920A. TT
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-03-11
- Fire: 1
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BURN. RESULTING IN OCCUPANTS CLOTHES CATCHING ON FIRE. ALSO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-03-11
- Fire: 1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT STARTED TO BURN. RESULTING IN OCCUPANTS CLOTHES CATCHING ON FIRE. ALSO ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAIL. TT
SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: DRIVERS SEAT BACK IS ADJUSTABLE. ON TWO OCCASIONS BACK COLLAPSED WITH NO WARNING. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-06-19
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED, AND PRIOR TO THAT THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BRAKES MAKE NOISE WHEN APPLIED, DEALER CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. TT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-01
- VIN: Y53CT55LXJ1
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL LINE LEAK UNDER VENT OF FUEL TANK AND NEAR CENTER OF UNDER CARRIAGE. *SKD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-12-11
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SMOKE CAME FROM THE DASH BOARD. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-21
- VIN: YS3CS58D4J2
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING BELT CHAIN FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-21
- VIN: YS3CS58D4J2
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: SPEED CONTROL REGULATOR FAILED. *SKD
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-10-21
- VIN: YS3CS58D4J2
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: POWER ANTENNA FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-02-19
- VIN: YS3CT58L2J1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: UPON RETURNING TO PARKED CAR OWNER SMELLED SMOKE AND VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. POINT OF ORIGIN CONSOLE AREA BEHIND HEATING CONTROL/DASHBOARD ELEMENT. TT
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-27
- VIN: YS3CT5567J1
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: POWER WINDOWS CEASE TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY, NOW QUITTING ALTOGETHER. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-21
- VIN: YS3CT58L8J1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: FUSE BOX BECOMES EXTREMELY HOT. TT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-10
- VIN: YS3CS58D5J2
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. *SKD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-10
- VIN: YS3CS58D5J2
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: FUEL SYSTEM SHORTS OUT.
INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-10
- VIN: YS3CS58D5J2
- Components: INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: LIGHTS FREQUENTLY GO OUT ON DASH AND DASH MAKES CRACKLING NOISE, ALSO TOXIC ODOR COMING FROM DASH AREA.
1988 Saab 9000 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 1988 Saab 9000.
- Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
- Summary: ABRASION ON THE PRINTED CIRCUIT CARD IN THE COMBINATION NEUTRAL SAFETY/BACKUP LAMP SWITCH OPERATED BY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR MAY CAUSE RESIDUE TO COLLECT IN ELECTRICAL AREA ON THE CIRCUIT CARD.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE SWITCH ASSEMBLY WITHSMOKE AND POSSIBLY A FIRE IN THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA.
- Remedy: ADD AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, INCLUDING A RELAY, TO THE BACKUP LAMP CIRCUIT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT THAT CAN FLOW THROUGH THE COMBINATION SWITCH.
- Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: THE ROUTING OF THE THROTTLE KICKDOWN CABLE COULD ALLOW CHAFING TO OCCUR BETWEEN THE CABLE AND ANY ONE OF THREE STEEL BRAKE FLUID LINES NEAR THE VALVE BLOCK OF THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE UNIT.
- Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE; THUS, THE BRAKECIRCUIT SUPPLIED BY THAT LINE WOULD BECOME INOPERATIVE AND RESULT IN DECREASEDBRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND AN ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: CHANGE CABLE ROUTING AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT CHAFING.
- Manufacturer: SAAB CARS USA, INC.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: THE BALL CHAIN BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM REGULATOR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY CATCH ON THE VACUUM REGULATOR ATTACHMENT CLIP.
- Consequence: IF THE CHAIN GETS CAUGHT THE THROTTLE COULD BE PREVENTEDFROM RETURNING TO FULLY CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED.
- Remedy: A PLASTIC CAP WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE VACUUM REGULATOR CLIP TO COVER THE OPENINGS.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1988 Saab 9000 problems:
Bushing Breaking in Linkage of 96 Saab 900 | SaabCentral Forums
Jun 28, 2009 ... It's a common problem with the linkage... ... Breaking: 1988 SAAB 900 TURBO 16 ... Saab 900, Saab 9000 and all other Saab models, choose your forum.
1988 900S No-Fuel Issue | Saab Link Forums
Jan 6, 2013 ... 1988s were still lh2.2, no common ECU issues there. MikeDTuning.com.
Idling speed, your experience required (very long!) | SaabCentral ...
Apr 28, 2002 ... The correct idle speed is 800 to 900 rpm. High and variable idle is a fairly common problem on the 900 engine; this article pulls together the ...
1996 Saab 9000 CSE DD Project
Dec 3, 2013 ... 1996 Saab 9000 CSE DD Project. Thread: 1996 Saab ... 1988 Saab 900 SPG - Just passed 270k 1996 ... When I fixed mine (common problem), I just ...
Q&A: 1988 Cadillac Seville Electrical Problems - JustAnswer
Sep 2, 2008 ... Peter B. master technition. Vocational, Technical or Trade School. 2,600 satisfied customers. Saab 9000: a smell, ...
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