Model year guide

1984 Saab 900

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1984 Saab 900 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1984 Saab 900 — representative photo
Representative photo

1984 Saab 900 at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints3
Combined18–21 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1984 Saab 900 recalls 1

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood NHTSA Campaign #85V036000 · 02/04/1985

THE ELECTRICAL CABLE BETWEEN THE STARTER AND THE ALTERNATOR CAN RUB AGAINST THE BRAKE FLUID PIPE ATTACHED TO THE LEFT INNER WHEELHOUSE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: RUBBING WILL EVENTUALLY DAMAGE THE CABLE INSULATION AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE.

Fix: THE CABLE CONNECTION AT THE ALTERNATOR WILL BE ADJUSTED AND THE CABLE REPOSITIONED TO ELIMINATE RUBBING.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1984 Saab 900 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

1984 Saab 900 MPG & running costs

Combined18–21 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,488
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd or Manual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume22 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$5,438 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 8 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1984 Saab 900 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,440
Fuel only$17,440
Per mile$0.23

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
187.4 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
99.6 in
Curb weight
2,932 lb

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1984 Saab 900 — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

FIRES Closed

===

NHTSA #EA87024 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened Sep 1987 · closed Jan 1988

SAAB 900 FIRES Closed

SAAB 900 FIRES

NHTSA #DP87018 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened May 1987 · closed Oct 1987

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 900. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Saab 900

The Saab 900 is a compact car respectively mid-sized automobile produced by Swedish manufacturer Saab from 1978 until 1998 in two generations: the first from 1978 to 1993, and the second from 1993 to 1998.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1984 Saab 900 vehicles on record

1984 Saab 900 1984 Saab 900YS3AL54C4E3003608

Other Saab 900 model years

2001 1998 1997 1996 1995 1992 1987 1986 1985 1983 1982 1981

1984 Saab 900 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1984 Saab 900 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1984 Saab 900. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1984 Saab 900?

Across all 3 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel system, gasoline.

What gas mileage does the 1984 Saab 900 get?

The 1984 Saab 900 has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (8 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.