1993 Buick Roadmaster Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Buick Roadmaster, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Airbags915.8%
- Brakes814.0%
- Visibility814.0%
- Seat belts610.5%
- Suspension610.5%
- Steering35.3%
- Engine35.3%
- Driver assistance35.3%
- Body & structure23.5%
- Interior & seats23.5%
- Transmission23.5%
- Other / unspecified11.8%
- Fuel system11.8%
- Tires & wheels11.8%
- Electrical11.8%
- Powertrain (other)11.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG LIGHT CUTS ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE, REPLACED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO CORROSION. *AK
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS AND VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, BUT CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. ALSO ABS LIGHT COMES ON. *AK
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, AND WINDSHIELD HAD NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH.*AK *YH
WINDSHIELDS WORKING AWAY FROM EDGE OF FRAME, DUE TO FILM DEVELOPING IN LAMINATING MATERIALS, DLR INDICATES IT WILL EVENTUALLY STOP THE PROGRESSION, DOT 18M418, LAMINATION #4, AS1 28 3, PPG SUNGATE SHADED SLOW LIGHT PROGRESSED OVER 2 YRS. *AK
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR 3 PT. SAFETY BELT CAME OUT COMPLETELY AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE BROKEN. *AK
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
BUICK ROADMASTER SEDAN TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A CLEAR DRY DAY ON A PAVED SMOOTH ROAD AROUND A CURVE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEVERED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO A LARGE YARD. THE BALL JOINT WAS FROM A FOREIGN MANUFACTURER. AS A RESULT, ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGH QUALITY PARTS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR PROBLEM OR POSSIBLE RECALL ON BALL JOINT UNIT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON EQUIPPED WITH A FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT (N/A). HE WAS TOWING A TRAILER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMPY SURFACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. UPON EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND THE BALL JOINTS FAILED/ STABILIZER LINKS AND CENTER LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
POWER STEERING FAILS INTERMITTENTLY, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO TURN CAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.
THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET ON WHICH THE GENERATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP ARE MOUNTED, SHEARED, CAUSING COMPLETE POWER LOSS. TRIP ODOMETER WINDOW IS POORLY ALIGNED, THE LEFT MOST DIGIT CANNOT BE READ WITHOUT STRAINING TO SEE IT. REFLECTION OF THE TOP DASH IN THE WINDSHIELD IS ATROCIOUS. BACK DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL WITH THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT HAS A LOCK ON THE SMALL DOOR, BUT THE WHOLE PANEL CAN BE EASILY REMOVED AND CARRIED AWAY. REAR WINDOW BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL IS TOO EASY TO TRIGGER, THIS RESULTS IN UNWANTED OPENING OF THE REAR WINDOW. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.
WHEN PUT ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AND CAR ACCELERATED MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SOMETIMES IT FREEZES HAVE A STATION WAGON THE REAR WINDOW SOMETIMES OPENS . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL INDICATOR UNIT WENT OUT 2 TIMES, HAVE REPLACED, LIGHT CONTROL UNIT GETS TOO HOT TO TOUCH / THE TRUNK POPS OPEN AT ANY GIVEN TIME, ANY NUMBER OF TIMES. *AK
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK SOMETIMES IT FREEZES HAVE A STATION WAGON THE REAR WINDOW SOMETIMES OPENS . TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN SHIFTING INTO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE LOUD POPPING NOISES. PROBLEM OF NOISE COULD NOT BE LOCATED.*AK
TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 1997. DEALER SAID CONSUMER NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.*AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON EQUIPPED WITH A FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT (N/A). HE WAS TOWING A TRAILER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMPY SURFACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. UPON EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TOOK VEHICLE TO GAS STATION & FILLED TANK WITH FUEL. NOTICED, AFTER PAYING FOR GAS, THAT IT WAS LEAKING. CHECKED UNDERNEATH AT FUEL TANK & NOTICED A BUBBLE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING. THE FUEL TANK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC & WAS BLACK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK FUEL TANK. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BUMPER,FRONT FENDER,WINDSHIELD AND BODY, CONSUMER HAD MINOR INJURIES. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)(NO TIRE INFOR WAS GIVEN) *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES EXCESSIVELY HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS, HEATER OR A/C ARE ON, THE HORN ACTIVATES WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A MINUTE IT RESTARTS, THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERSN. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE BRACKET ON WHICH THE GENERATOR AND POWER STEERING PUMP ARE MOUNTED, SHEARED, CAUSING COMPLETE POWER LOSS. TRIP ODOMETER WINDOW IS POORLY ALIGNED, THE LEFT MOST DIGIT CANNOT BE READ WITHOUT STRAINING TO SEE IT. REFLECTION OF THE TOP DASH IN THE WINDSHIELD IS ATROCIOUS. BACK DRIVER'S SIDE PANEL WITH THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT HAS A LOCK ON THE SMALL DOOR, BUT THE WHOLE PANEL CAN BE EASILY REMOVED AND CARRIED AWAY. REAR WINDOW BUTTON ON THE REMOTE CONTROL IS TOO EASY TO TRIGGER, THIS RESULTS IN UNWANTED OPENING OF THE REAR WINDOW. *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .