The 1995 Buick Roadmaster has 5 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is suspension (10 complaints).
Recalls5safety recalls
Complaints50filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
NHTSA recall 96V245000 · Dec 10, 1996 · 21,582 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
NHTSA recall 96V019000 · Jan 30, 1996 · 308 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 95V221000 · Nov 16, 1995 · 83,400 vehicles
Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF A PARKED VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE SYSTEM.
Air bags
NHTSA recall 95V215000 · Nov 3, 1995 · 8,946 vehicles
Problem: THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT CAUTION LABEL AND A ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS.
Fix: A NEW ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL, WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO OWNERS. OWNERS WILL INSTALL THE LABEL OR HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
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.
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
1995 Buick Roadmaster 4-DR.
Overall
Not 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
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Roadmaster Wagon
18mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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*
Suspension Front; Front › Control arm
10
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring; Starter assembly
9
0
0
0
83,225 mi
Vehicle speed control Springs
8
2
0
1
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist system
4
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Trunk lid; Body › Door
4
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
3
0
0
0
—
Interior lighting
2
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Apr 17, 2011Visibility/wiper WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH AND THEY CUT OFF ON ME ONE DAY IN THE RAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER A HEAVY DOWNPOUR JUST STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE WHICH WAS VERY SCARY AND THEN AGAIN AROUND TOWN ON OTHER RAINY DAYS. ALSO WHEN I DRIVE AND FIRST GO TO ACCELERATE, SOMETIMES IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS NOT FULLY IN DRIVE ALTHOUGH IT IS AND I HAVE TO PRESS WAY DOWN ON THE GAS THEN BRAKE THEN TAKE OFF AGAIN TO MAKE IT JUMP INTO GEAR ALL THE WAY. WHEN IDLING ITS HIGH AND LOW SOUNDING AS WELL, SO I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF ANY OF THIS IS COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL? *TR
Jul 11, 2012 · 192,800 milesElectrical system TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD SOUND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC BUT PROGRESSED INTO A CONTINUAL FAILURE. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION OR STATIONARY THE FUSE FOR THE HORN WAS DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,800.
May 7, 2010 · 97,500 milesSuspension CARS FRONT SUSPENSION BEGAN POPPING AND MOANING. CAR CAN NOT MAKE TIGHT TURNS WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE THE FRONT END IS GOING TO BREAK INTO PIECES. I TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL GM DEALERSHIP(J.P. HARVEY) AFTER GETTING THE RECALL INFORMATION ON NTSB WEBSITE. THE PARTS DEPARTMENT SAID THEY TIGHTENED THE HUB BOLTS. HOWEVER, SINCE THE CAR WAS SO OLD REFUSED TO CHECK BALL JOINT OR ANY OTHER OF THE RECALLED PARTS. I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR BY MY MOTHER WHO SUSTAINED AN ACCIDENT BACK IN 2004 WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE FAILED AND SENT HER INTO A DEEP DITCH. I PAID A PRIVATE DEALER $589.00 TO REPLACE ALL THE LEFT SIDE STEERING LINKAGE, BALL JOINT ETC. AT THAT TIME I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS RECALL. NOW IT IS THE RIGHT…
Oct 31, 2006 · 115,000 milesSuspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 96V019000 BUT IS NOT A COVERED VIN. I WOULD REQUEST THE NHTSA LOOK INTO THE EXTENSION OF THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE AT LEAST [XXX] AND POSSIBLY ALL 1995 MODEL YEAR B-BODY VEHICLES. ITEM HAD FAILED BEFORE THE INCIDENT DATE BUT WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED ON THE INCIDENT DATE. *NM UPDATED 0/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Feb 2, 2005 · crashVehicle speed control I WAS BACKING MY 95 BUICK ROADMASTER STATION WAGON FROM A PARKING LOT AT A RETIREMENT CENTER WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE TO ALLOW ME TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHOT BACK ACROSS THE PARKING LOT, NEARLY A HUNDRED FEET BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND VEER IT AWAY FROM A CROWDED BUILDING AND THEN TURN OFF THE IGNITION KEY TO STOP THE MOTOR. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND WAS NOT NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. *JB
Apr 14, 2004 · 83,225 milesElectrical system › Horn WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HORN IT DID NOT WORK. *AK THE HORN WIRING WAS REPAIRED. *JB
Jul 12, 2004Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUMPED AND SKIPPED OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
Apr 20, 2004 · 120,000 milesSteering › Hydraulic power assist system THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NM CONSUMER FIRST EXPERIENCED PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT. *LA
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA96007 · opened May 31, 1996 · closed Dec 24, 1996REAR WHEEL SEPARATION GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT THEY ARE CONDUCTING A RECALL TO RETORQUE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 1995.IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MOST VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS TO BE RETORQUED TO 135 N.M(100 LB. FT.).CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD ALL FOUR OF THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED SHOULD HAVE PROPERLY TORQUED LUG NUTS.HOWEVER, GM IS OFFERING CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED THE OPTION OF RETURNING TO THEIR DEALER FOR THIS REPAIR OR COMPLETING AND RETURNING AN OWNER REPLY CARD INCLUDED WITH THEIR RECALL NOTICE.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.