1988 Saab 9000
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Saab 9000 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 6 on record.
1988 Saab 9000 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Saab 9000 recalls 3
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.
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.
Fix: CHANGE CABLE ROUTING AND INSTALL NEW ATTACHMENT BRACKET TO PREVENT CHAFING.
THE BALL CHAIN BETWEEN THE CRUISE CONTROL VACUUM REGULATOR AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ARM MAY CATCH ON THE VACUUM REGULATOR ATTACHMENT CLIP.
Fix: A PLASTIC CAP WILL BE INSTALLED OVER THE VACUUM REGULATOR CLIP TO COVER THE OPENINGS.
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.
1988 Saab 9000 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Saab 9000 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 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 1988 Saab 9000 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
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
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Saab 9000. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRE Closed
NHTSA #EA95020 · Electrical System · opened Jun 1995 · closed Jul 1996PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
NHTSA #PE95009 · Electrical System · opened Feb 1995 · closed Jun 1995WIRE HARNESS CHAFING Closed
SUMMARY:===
NHTSA #PE88081 · Electrical System · opened Jul 1988 · closed Aug 1988An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 4
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
BACKGROUD INFORMATION IN DIAGNOSING A DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINT OR THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP COMING ON. *YC
Bulletin 2482035 · Nov 1998INFORMATION ON INSTALLING LARGER FUEL SYSTEM NON-RETURN VALVES. *TT
Bulletin 234 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 1997RECALL 278 - OVERHEATING OF BACK-UP LIGHT SWITCH- SAAB CARS USA, INC HAS NOTIFIED THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY MAY EXIST IN CERTAIN 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 AND EARLY 1990 9000 MOD…
Bulletin 364 · Exterior Lighting · Feb 1997ADJUSTMENT OF BEARING TENSION. *TW
Bulletin 01/970731 · Power Train · Jan 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 9000. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 4
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Saab 9000. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Electrical
NOTE: VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RESIDUE ON THE CIRCUIT CARD MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE BACK-UP LAMP CIRCUIT AND EVENTUAL OVERHEATING OF THE COMBINATION SAFETY/BACK-UP LAMP SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, SMOKE OR POSSIBLY A FIRE MIGHT DEVELOP FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE AREA IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CORRECTION: AN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT, INCLUDING A REL…
Transport Canada #1990042 · Mar 1990Brakes
ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) THE THROTTLE/KICK-DOWN CABLE AND GEAR SELECTOR WIRE MAY COME LOOSE AND RUB AGAINST ANY OF THE THREE STEEL BRAKE LINES CONNECTED TO THE VALVE BLOCK OF THE ABS SYSTEM HYDRAULIC BRAKE UNIT. CHAFING DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE WITH A SUBSEQUENT INCREASE IN STO…
Transport Canada #1989159 · Nov 1989Engine
On certain Saab 9000S and 9000 turbo 16 vehicles, the ball chain between the cruise control vacuum regulator and the gas pedal arm may get caught in the upper end of the gas pedal arm. This may impede the full return of the gas pedal to the fully closed throttle position. (this defect cannot cause unintended acceleration). Correction: A plastic cover will be installed over the…
Transport Canada #1988092 · Jul 1988Engine
On certain Saab 9000S and 9000 turbo 16, the ball chain between the cruise control vacuum regulator and the accelerator pedal arm may get caught on the vacuum regulator attachment clip. This could prevent the throttle from returning to a fully closed position when the accelerator pedal is released. Correction: A plastic cap will be installed over the vacuum regulator clip.
Transport Canada #1988058 · Apr 1988Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Saab 9000
The Saab 9000 is an automobile 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 was replaced by the 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.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.