1978 Saab 99 Specifications

Specifications

1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1980

Features

Engine Location :	Front
Drive Type :	Front Wheel
Body / Chassis :	Steel unibody
Production Years for Series :	1969 - 1984
Body Designer :	Sixten Sason
Price :	$5,995-$9,999
Weight :	2630 lbs \| 1192.948 kg
Combined MPG :	30.00

Performance

Top Speed :	120 mph \| 193.08 km/h

Engine & Transmission

Inline 4
Displacement :	1985 cc \| 121.1 cu in. \| 2.0 L.
Power :	115 BHP (84.64 KW) @ 5500 RPM
Torque :	123 Ft-Lbs (167 NM) @ 3500 RPM
Bore :	3.5 in \| 90 mm.
Stroke :	3.1 in \| 78 mm.
Compression :	9.2:1
Main Bearings :	5
Cylinder Block :	Cast-iron
Cylinder Head :	Light Alloy
Bosch electronic port fuel injection

Turbocharged Inline 4
Displacement :	1985 cc \| 121.1 cu in. \| 2.0 L.
Power :	135 BHP (99.36 KW) @ 5000 RPM
Torque :	160 Ft-Lbs (217 NM) @ 3500 RPM
Bore :	3.5 in \| 90 mm.
Stroke :	3.1 in \| 78 mm.
Compression :	7.2:1
Main Bearings :	5
Cylinder Block :	Cast-iron
Cylinder Head :	Light Alloy
Bosch electronic port fuel injection

Transmission:
4 Manual Floor lever

Gear Ratios

1st Gear :	13.37:1
2nd Gear :	8.06:1
3rd Gear :	5.41:1
4th Gear :	3.89:1

Production Figures

Total Saab Production for 1978 :	72,516
99 Production (1969-1984) :	588,643
1978 Saab 99

Handling

Recall

Component	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Manufacturer	SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Mfr Report Date	19740801
NHTSA Campaign ID	79V206000
Summary	UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS AMBIENT HUMIDITY AND VEHICLE PRE-CONDITIONING BY REPEATED COLD START, AND SHORT TRIP DRIVING CYCLES IN COMBINATION WITH SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES, THERE EXISTS THE POSSIBILITY FOR ICE TO FORM IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING AND TEMPORARILY IMPEDE FULL CLOSURE OF THE THROTTLE PLATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED. THIS ICE BUILD-UP IN THE THROTTLE HOUSING MAY CAUSE HESITATION IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Remedy	THE DEALER WILL MODIFY THE ENGINE INTAKE SYSTEM TO FURTHER IMPROVE PREHEATING OF INCOMING AIR IN COLD WEATHER. THIS WILL BE DONE FREE OF CHARGE.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE HOUSING.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT COULD RESULT.

Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
Manufacturer	SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Mfr Report Date	19760801
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V208000
Summary	INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE MAY EXIST BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK VENT TUBE AND VEHICLE FLOORPAN WHERE THE TUBE PROJECTS THROUGH AN ACCESS HOLE INTO THE TOOL COMPARTMENT UNDER THE TRUNK FLOOR. SHOULD THE TUBE CONTACT THE LOWER EDGE OF THIS OPENING, IT COULD BECOME DAMAGED AND FAIL AT THE POINT WHERE IT IS SOLDERED TO THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE TANK IS NEARLY OR COMPLETELY FULL.
Remedy	DEALER WILL ENLARGE THE ACCESS HOLE IN THE FLOORPAN TO ENSURE PROPER CLEARANCE. IF THE VENT TUBE IS DAMAGED, IT WILL BE REPAIRED.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; FUEL TANK VENT TUBE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: SHOULD FUEL LEAKAGE OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF ANIGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE AND SERIOUS INJURY TO PASSENGERS COULD RESULT.

Component	SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Manufacturer	SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Mfr Report Date	19770801
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V099000
Summary	THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE WEBBING NEAR THE METAL TONGUE OF THE LEFT HALF OF THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY SEWN TOGETHER.
Remedy	DEALER WILL INSPECT THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: AS A RESULT, THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT MAY NOTWITHSTAND THE FORCES IMPOSED ON IT AND, IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT, MAYNOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER. SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT.

Component	POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Manufacturer	SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Mfr Report Date	19771001
NHTSA Campaign ID	83V068000
Summary	A PROBLEM RELATING TO THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET ATTACHMENT COULD CAUSE LEAKING OF TRANSMISSION OIL. TRANSMISSION COULD LOCK UP DUE TO LACK OF PROPER OIL LUBRICATION.
Remedy	DEALER WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET WITH ONE THAT ATTACHES TO THE SIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER GASKET WILL ALSO BE REPLACED, USING SCREWS INSTEAD OF STUDS.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; EXHAUST PIPE BRACKET ATTACHMENT.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: TRANSMISSION LOCK UP COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT ANDPERSONAL INJURY.NOTE: UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, OWNER SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE TRANSMISSIONOIL IS KEPT AT AN ADEQUATE LEVEL. IF THE OIL LEVEL SINKS TOO LOW, THEDIFFERENTIAL MAY BEGIN TO WHINE AND IT MAY BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TOCHANGE GEARS.

Component	VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Manufacturer	SAAB CARS USA, INC.
Mfr Report Date	19771101
NHTSA Campaign ID	78V130000
Summary	INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIR/FUEL MIXING REGULATOR AND THE THROTTLE HOUSING COULD ALLOW THE DECEL SOLENOID LINK ARM ON THE THROTTLE TO CONTACT THE MIXING REGULATOR UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO ROCK TO THE LEFT ON ITS MOUNTING. FULLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MAKING A SHARP RIGHT TURN AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS COULD CAUSE SUCH A CONTACT TO OCCUR. FURTHERMORE, MOVEMENT OF THE THROTTLE PLATE MAY MOMENTARILY BE RESTRICTED DURING THE TIME OF CONTACT BETWEEN THE LINK ARM AND MIXING REGULATOR.
Remedy	THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE LINK ARM WITH A MODIFIED ONE TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE TO THE MIXING REGULATOR UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE POSITION OF THE DECEL SOLENOID MAY ALSO BE READJUSTED IF FOUND NECESSARY.
Notes	VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE LINKAGE.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THROTTLE LINKAGE INTERFERENCE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLEFROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. LOSS OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND ANACCIDENT COULD RESULT.

Information provided by NHTSA
Data updated June 2024

1978 Averages

Avg. Household Income :	$17,000
Avg. Home :	$54,800
Avg. Gallon of Gas :	$0.63

1978 Saab 99 FAQs (show)

Popular frequently asked questions include:

What are the dimension and mechanical specifications of the 1978 Saab 99?
How many 1978 Saab 99 were produced?
How powerful was the 1978 Saab 99? Was the 1978 Saab 99 popular? Was the 1978 Saab 99 expensive? What was the fuel economy of the 1978 Saab 99?

Q: How fast is the 1978 Saab 99? A: The 1978 Saab 99 has a top speed of 120 mph.

Q: What is the wheelbase size of the 1978 Saab 99? A: The 1978 Saab 99 has a wheelbase size of 97.50 inches.

Q: What is the length of the 1978 Saab 99? A: The 1978 Saab 99 has lengths of 175.00 and 179.00 inches.

Q: What is the width of the 1978 Saab 99? A: The 1978 Saab 99 has a width of 66.50 inches.

Q: How much did the 1978 Saab 99 cost when new?A: The 1978 Saab 99 cost approximately $5,995 to $9,999 (USD) when new.

Q: What were the bodystyles of the 1978 Saab 99? A: The 1978 Saab 99 was offered as a Hatchback, Sedan.

Q: How many vehicles did Saab produce in 1978? A: Saab produced 72,516 automobiles in 1978.

Q: How many 99 were produced? A: Saab produced 588,643 examples of the 99 from 1969 to 1984.

Q: What engines did the 1978 Saab 99 have? A: The 1978 Saab 99 had the following engine options: Inline 4 (1985 cc | 121.1 cu in. | 2.0 L.) with 115 BHP (84.64 KW) @ 5500 RPM and 123 Ft-Lbs (167 NM) @ 3500 RPM

Turbocharged Inline 4 (1985 cc | 121.1 cu in. | 2.0 L.) with 135 BHP (99.36 KW) @ 5000 RPM and 160 Ft-Lbs (217 NM) @ 3500 RPM

Q: What transmission did the 1978 Saab 99 have? A: The 1978 Saab 99 had a 4 speed Manual Floor lever gearbox.