1996 Buick ROADMASTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
81,563 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 32 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 8 | 25.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 12.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Electrical System:Wiring: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Steering: 2; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Pump: 2; Suspension: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball Joint: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 22 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 4 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1996: 4; 2000: 6; 2001: 7; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 1; 2018: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10004632 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WANDER OFF TO THE LEFT AND WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10211320 · 2007-12-10 (December 10, 2007)
CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DARTS LEFT THEN HAS A LARGE AMOUNT PLAY IN STEERING . THEN IT MAY NOT DO IT FOR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS THEN IT MAY GO THE OTHER WAY. THIS IS A HIGH MILEAGE CAR BUT I SEE WHERE THERE IS ANOTHER ONE LISTED AS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211320 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10023654 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
FUEL PUMP FAILED & VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP, MECHANIC FOUND SHORTED FUEL PUMP DUE TO LOOSE WIRING THAT CAUSED ARCING IN TANK FOR SOME TIME. MECHANIC STATED THAT WIRING MAY NOT HAVE BEEN HOOKED UP PROPERLY AT FACTORY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 79,125 miles reported. Look up ODI 10023654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046367 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
WHILE BACKING IN VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED, WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK WIRES INSIDE THE GAS TANK BURNED AND MELTED PLASTIC AT THE FUEL TANK HOOK UP. THIS COULD'VE BLOWN UP AND KILLED SOMEONE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR THE WIRING HARNESS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135912 · 2005-09-08 (September 8, 2005)
SINCE NEW THIS 1996 BUICK ROADMASTER STATION WAGON HAS HAD 4 TRANSMISSIONS INSTALLED IN IT. THIS PARTICULAR CAR HAS THE FACTORY INSTALLED 5000LB TOW PACKAGE. THIS CAR USES THE GM, 4L60E, 4 SPEED, ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION. ACCORDING TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, THE 4L60E TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHEN IT ONLY HAD ROUGHLY 40,000 MILES ON IT. HE TOLD ME THE 2ND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 40,000MILES AFTER IT WAS INSTALLED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER TOLD ME HE HAD THE 3RD TRANSMISSION INSTALLED WHEN THE CAR HAD 85,000 MILES ON IT. I BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 119,000 MILES O…
Owner-reported narrative. 142,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 800580 · 1996-08-07 (August 7, 1996)
WHILE DRIVING THE ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP WHILE MR. COOK'S FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR ,THE BRAKES CAME ON WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. PLEASE GIVE MORE INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 800580 at NHTSA ↗