The 1988 SAAB 9000 has 3 recalls, the most serious being two separate throttle concerns and a brake line chafing issue that can reduce braking force and extend stopping distances.
Two of the recalls involve the cruise control system on 9000S and 9000 Turbo 16 models. In both cases, a small ball chain connecting the cruise control vacuum regulator to the accelerator pedal arm can snag, either on the regulator's attachment clip or on the upper end of the pedal arm itself. When this happens, the throttle may not return fully to the closed position after the driver lifts off the accelerator, meaning the engine continues to push the car forward even with no pedal pressure applied. The third recall affects automatic transmission models equipped with anti-lock brakes. On those vehicles, the throttle kick-down cable and gear selector wire can work loose and rub against the steel brake lines running to the ABS hydraulic unit. Over time, that contact wears through the lines, allows brake fluid to escape, and reduces how much braking force the system can deliver, leaving the car needing more distance to stop than expected.
