RoadVitals

1992 Buick Roadmaster

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
87
Latest Jan 31, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Oct 24, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
16
20 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 87 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster, most frequently naming the brakes, seat belts and airbags categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 5 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Nov 24, 1997
56,701 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAN CORRODE AND LEAK FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT.
The risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

SEAT BELTS

Jul 1, 1992
219,571 units potentially affected
The defect: THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE EXPOSED STEELSUB-PLATE CAN CUT THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING RESULTING IN INCREASED POSSIBILITYAND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THE AFFECTED SEAT OCCUPANT.
The remedy: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE92079ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

R SEAT BELT WEBBING LENGTH

Opened Sep 9, 1992
Closed Jan 19, 1993

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
PE91109ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

DASH REFLCTS IN WINDSHIELD

Opened Aug 1, 1991
Closed Nov 29, 1991

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V217000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE MODULE THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL, BUT PERFORM A FIX TO IT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT LEAK ANYMORE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE ABS MODULE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

NHTSA ID
10379667
Incident
Jan 25, 2011
Mileage
147,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed 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

NHTSA ID
10329835
Incident
May 4, 2010
Mileage
185,817 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.

NHTSA ID
10326810
Incident
Jul 16, 2005
Mileage
142,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2009
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE PROPER DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAUSED THE CRASH SINCE IT WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING FLUID FROM THE BRAKE CIRCUIT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 17 YEARS OLD AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR IT. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COSTS. THERE WAS NO NEED TO NOTIFY THE POLICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

NHTSA ID
10288575
Incident
Sep 15, 2009
Mileage
175,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULATOR FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 97V217000 (SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK). THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWER TRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10199768
Incident
Aug 8, 2007
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER, AND THAT ON JANUARY 7 2007 SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE SERVICE LIGHT ON CAME ON AT THAT TIME. SHE WAS LEAVING A GAS STATION AT THE TIME AND DRIVING 5-10 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC ,WHO TOLD HER TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS RECALL 97V217000 .ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A BUICK DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 02/16/07. *JB

NHTSA ID
10178329
Incident
Jan 7, 2007
Mileage
177,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Sep 28, 2006
Crash reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ONCE MORE AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10169500
Incident
Sep 28, 2006
Mileage
104,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2005

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. . HIS LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND RECALL, 97V217000. WHEN HE CONTACTED BUICK, OLDSMOBILE, GENERAL MOTORS, AND ALSO A LOCAL DEALER, THEY ARE ALL STATED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT NUMBER WAS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE WHEEL CYLINDER, AND HAD THE BRAKES REALIGNED. THE PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. *AK *JB

NHTSA ID
10129359
Incident
Jul 6, 2005

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

020730024A

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT

739014

DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK ERRATICALLY WHEN USING REMOTE TRANSMITTER (INSTALL NEW REMOTE DOOR/REAR COMPARTMENT RECEIVER). *TW

438206A

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

UNKNOWN

438206

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WIPER CHATTER DURING COLD WEATHER. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Roadmaster by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1999100
1997000
1996522150.3
1995505156.8
1994855054.9
1993461048.5
1992Viewing874263.2
1991931
1990001
1989100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.