Model year guide

1986 Saab 9000

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1986 Saab 9000 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 3 on record.

1986 Saab 9000 at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints3
Combined21 mpg

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

1986 Saab 9000 recalls 2

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #90V001000 · 02/11/1990

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.

Fix: ADD AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, INCLUDING A RELAY, TO THE BACKUP LAMP CIRCUIT TO REDUCE THE CURRENT THAT CAN FLOW THROUGH THE COMBINATION SWITCH.

Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash NHTSA Campaign #86V143000 · 27/10/1986

THE WIRING HARNESS MAY CHAFE AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BRACKET. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: IF A SHORT CIRCUIT DEVELOPS, IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Fix: AFFIX TWO RUBBER STRIPS TO THE VERTICAL EDGES OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR BRACKET.

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.

1986 Saab 9000 common problems

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

Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
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.

1986 Saab 9000 MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,200
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume24 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,000 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1986 Saab 9000 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,000
Fuel only$16,000
Per mile$0.21

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.

1986 Saab 9000 vehicles on record

1986 Saab 9000YS3CC55D8G1011970 1986 Saab 9000YS3CC55D5G1019122 1986 Saab 9000YS3CD55L2G1022256

Other Saab 9000 model years

1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987

1986 Saab 9000 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1986 Saab 9000 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1986 Saab 9000. 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 1986 Saab 9000?

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

What gas mileage does the 1986 Saab 9000 get?

The 1986 Saab 9000 has a U.S. EPA estimate of 21 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

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