Buick ROADMASTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
222 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
117,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 to 1999 model years. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 222 complaints (9.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 40 | 18.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 15 | 6.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 5.4% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 3.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 22 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 18 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 15 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 9 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 8 |
| Suspension:Front | 8 |
| Suspension | 7 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 22; Air Bags:Frontal: 18; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 15; Vehicle Speed Control: 15; Visibility:Windshield: 9; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Suspension:Front: 8; Suspension: 7
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 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 6 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 6
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 192 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 64 |
| 1996 | 36 |
| 2000 | 33 |
| 2001 | 28 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 13 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
1995: 64; 1996: 36; 2000: 33; 2001: 28; 2002: 14; 2003: 13; 2004: 8; 2005: 4; 2006: 5; 2007: 3; 2008: 1; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2021: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 15 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 882581 · 2001-03-09 (March 9, 2001)
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT AND PRESSING ON BRAKES VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE CONSUMER CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN INJURED WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 882581 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 974039 · 1995-10-27 (October 27, 1995)
ABS BRAKING PROBLEM. TT ABS BRAKES FAILED, REPLACED MODULE COMPONENT. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 974039 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719166 · 2000-02-24 (February 24, 2000)
COMPLETE, TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE ONLY WAT TO STOP WAS A LIGHT POLE. AFTERWARDS THE VARKES WORKED AGAIN. CONTACTED BUICK THE ANSWER THERE IS NO WARRANTY LEFT ON THER BRAKE SHOES! BUICK DEALER MUST LOOK AT IT. BUICK DEALER NOTHING WRONG, CAR SENT BACK. I TOOK IT FOR STATE INSPECTION, TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE INSPECTOR DOES TEST DRIVE. BACK TO BUICK - NO PROBLEMS FOUND THEN AFTER ANOTHER WEEK AT BUICK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILS. WE TAKE IR TO AN INDEPENDENT MECH. - THE B DEALER DAMAGED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, OUR MECH FIXES IT. NO BREAK PROBLEM F…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 743427 · 2001-04-02 (April 2, 2001)
BOLTS ON THE UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT AFFIX THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY WERE EXPOSED TO CONDENSATION CONTAINING BATTERY ACID THAT DRIPPED DOWN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE BAY SIDE OF THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL, FROM THE POSITIVE BATTERY POST THAT IS DIRECTLY ABOVE IT, AND CORRODED THROUGH THE BOLTS, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY SHEARED, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. MECHANIC WHO FIXED IT, ($900.00- INCLUDED REPLACING THE CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR, TIE ROD, DUE TO BEING BENT WHEN THE SUSPENSION COLLAPSED), STATED THAT THE OV…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 743427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 751507 · 2001-09-01 (September 1, 2001)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER HEARD A LOUD BANG AND LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID HITTING ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR RUNNING OFF THE ROAD. HAD VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY RATE OF SPEED INSTEAD OF 35 MPH, DRIVER AND WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY MAIMED NOT TO MENTION OTHERS DRIVING IN THE PROXIMITY OF MY VEHICLE. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE LEFT SIDE UPPER CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY BROKE FOR NO APPARENT RESASON,. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 751507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973371 · 1995-10-13 (October 13, 1995)
BRACKET WHICH SUPPORTS ALTERNATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP HAD BOLTS BREAK. DESIGN OF BELT IS SERPENTINE SYSTEM RESULTED IN COMPLETE POWER LOSS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 890045 · 2001-06-08 (June 8, 2001)
GAS TANK WAS LEAKING AT THE TOP ONLY WHEN FULL. DEALER FOUND A CRACK AT THE TOP OF THE TANK BECAUSE SEAL. THE TANK WAS ORDERED TO RECTIFY PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 890045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329835 · 2010-05-11 (May 11, 2010)
EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. RECENTLY HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED AND THE RUST ON THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE WAS SO BAD ONE OF THEM FELL OFF SEVERAL DAYS LATER. WHILE BEING REPAIRED THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED ME THE CHASSIS WAS ABOUT TO RUST THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. MY VEHICLE HAS 185,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR VERY WELL. THERE IS ALSO MUCH RUST UNDER THE HOOD ON THE WHEEL WELLS AND AROUND THE TRUNK LID. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 185,817 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329835 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 483886 · 1995-09-09 (September 9, 1995)
VEHICLE STALLED, STARTING INSTANTLY AFTER STALL. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 485698 · 1995-09-08 (September 8, 1995)
ENGINE STALLED 3 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 485698 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8003609 · 2002-02-05 (February 5, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8003609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 978914 · 1996-02-08 (February 8, 1996)
PURCHASE CAR THE GRILL WAS REPLACED, ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED HAVING OTHER PROBLEMS WILL DESCRIBE . TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 978914 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 |
| 1992 | 3 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 1999 | 0 |
1989: 0; 1991: 2; 1992: 3; 1993: 0; 1994: 5; 1995: 5; 1996: 2; 1999: 0