Model year record

1994 Buick Roadmaster recalls & problems

The 1994 Buick Roadmaster has 5 safety recalls and 85 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (22 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints85filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionJan 30, 1996

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 96V019000308 vehicles

Problem: DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Risk: IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT LOOSENS, FATIGUES AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.

Vehicle speed controlApr 24, 1995

Springs

Recall 95V08200087,039 vehicles

Problem: THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS." AT LOW TEMPERATURES, EXCESSIVE FRICTION CAN OCCUR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IN THE EVENT OF A FAILURE OF THE TROTTLE RETURN SPRING, IF THERE IS EXCESSIVE FRICTION IN THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY, THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 25, 1994

Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting

Recall 94V210000130,581 vehicles

Problem: THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL TANK LEAK AND FIRE IF THE LEAKING FUEL IS EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.

WheelsApr 16, 1994

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 94V076000139 vehicles

Problem: PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.
Risk: ONCE CLAMP LOAD IS LOST, ALL TIRE LOADS ARE TAKEN BY THE WHEEL STUDS RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLES CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALSO, THE WHEEL STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND WILL BE REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

Engine and engine coolingMar 21, 1994

Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Recall 94V0490008,475 vehicles

Problem: THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE OIL LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1994 Buick Roadmaster 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Roadmaster

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Roadmaster Wagon

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemHorn; 12v/24v/48v battery › Cables	22	1	4	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Drum	19	1	2	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings	13	0	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	12	10	0	8	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Upper arm	10	1	1	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline › Differential unit	8	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Tailgate	8	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	7	1	0	2	—
VisibilityWindshield; Windshield wiper/washer	5	1	0	1	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Hydraulic power assist system	5	1	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	4	0	0	0	—
TiresTread/belt	4	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
WENT AND FILLED THE FUEL TANK WITH FUEL , I WENT ABOUT 100 YARDS TO ANOTHER STORE , STAYED IN THE STORE ABOUT 30 MINUTES , WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE AROUND THE FUEL TANK
May 30, 2019 · 43,800 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK ROADMASTER. HE NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE NEAR THE FUEL TANK. HE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND DIDN'T RECEIVE A RESPONSE. HE ALSO NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER IN REFERENCE TO RECALL# 94V210000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING), AND WAS INFORMED BY A REPRESENTATIVE THAT HIS VIN NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
Dec 22, 2008 · 130,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 7 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE BALL JOINT DISLODGING. *AK THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED DUE TO THE NUT BACKING OFF. THE BALL JOINT FELL OUT OF THE KNUCKLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE AND DRAG ON THE GROUND. (RECALL ID NUMBER : 96V019000) *TC *JB
Aug 16, 2004 · 133,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
UPON TURNING VEHICLE OFF KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
Jul 29, 2004
Tires › Tread/belt
I PURCHASED 4 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING ON FLORIDA TPK ON 1/4/04 I COULD HEAR A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK AT TIRE AND I COULD SEE THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. WE STAYED AT A LOCAL HOTEL THAT NIGHT AND BROUGHT THE CAR TO A NEARBY GOODYEAR DEALER. HE CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS A TREAD SEPARATION AND REPLACED THE TIRE AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE. HE SAID THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A THING ON THIS BRAND, INTEGRITY P225/70R15. I DON'T HAVE THE DOT NUMBE, BUT THE DEALER DOES. GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER 30100 S DIXIE HWY HOMESTEAD, FL 33030. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE PURCHASED AT POMPANO TIRE AND AUTO, POMPANO…
Jan 4, 2004
Tires › Tread/belt
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
Jul 29, 2003
Structure › Frame and members
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE, AND FOUND OUT THAT FRAME RUSTED AND HAD A HOLE. WHICH WAS A SAFETY ISSUED. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
Jun 26, 2003
Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE STALL. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE TEMPERATURE GAUGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Nov 14, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.