Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Buick Roadmaster problems
Owners filed 55 complaints about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster with NHTSA between Feb 1996 and Aug 2021. The most-cited component is steering (8).
Complaints
55
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Steering8
- Suspension7
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Electrical system5
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Tires4
- Visibility4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Structure3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Seats3
- Wheels2
- Power train2
- Air bags1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
16
1
2
7
7
4
3
1
2
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 16 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 7 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 0 |
| 2014 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 0 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Steering
8 reports
“The contact owns a 1996 Buick Roadmaster. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel was steering to the left while the vehicle was going to the right as well as while steering to the right the vehicle was going to the left. The dealer or independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,831. Invalid VIN provided.”
Suspension
7 reports
“I WAS ON THE WAY HOME THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING TYPE OF NOISE AS WELL AS A BOUNCE AND CAME TO A STOP A A RED LIGHT TO TURN LEFT AND AS I WAS TURNING LEFT MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE FELL OFF BOUNCING AWAY BENT MY FRONT PASSENGER FENDER AS WELL AS TRIM I HAD TO PAY A TOW TRUCK $150 TO TAKE MY CAR TO MY HOUSE TO FIX ALL 5 WHEEL STUDS ALSO WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE SEAT BELT DOESN'T CLICK TO STAY IN POSITION THE INTERIOR LIGHTS DON'T TURN OFF I HAVE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY SO THE CAR WON'T DIE OVER NIGHT AND NOW THE ENGINE DOESN'T NOT WANT TO TURN OVER AS IT DID BEFORE I HAVE CHANGED THE DISTRIBUTIOR CAP SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES COMPLETE OIL CHANGE ENGINE TRANSACTION TRANSFER CASE OIL IN THE REAR AXEL AND OXYGEN SENSORS AND THE CAR IS STILL HAVEING TROUBLE TO TURN AND STAY ON JUST IN IDEL AND ON TOP OF THAT THE CLUSTER DOESN'T NOT MARK MY SPEED AND THE GAS METER IS MORE OR LESS A QUARTER OFF MARKING I HAVE MORE THEN WHAT I DO HAVE”
Engine and engine cooling
6 reports
“TO START THE ENGINE , AND THE CAR WAS PUSHED INTO ST STALL BY.THE SS TUBE UNDER THE CAR AND THE SS MANIFOLD ON THE MOTOR BLOCK ARE CONNECTED VIE A THIN-WALLED PLASRIC TUBE, WHICH IS HEAT-SHRINKE UNDER THE CAR AND CONNECTED TO THE MANIFOLD BY A FLIMSY PLASTIC CONNECTOR. BOTH CONNECTORS BROKE ( OF COURSE THEY MUST BRAKE EVENTUALLY THRU AGE ETC), AND THE GAS SPILLED ONTO THE HOT MOTOR BLOCK, FORMING A PUDDLE AND VAPORIZING , THUS FORMING AN EXPLOSIVE MIXTURE WAITING TO BE IGNITED FROM THE HOT EXHAUST MAMNIFOLD. *AK REFERENCED IN EA02-030”
Electrical system
5 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS, AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM”
Service brakes, hydraulic
5 reports
“ROTORS TURNED DUE TO WEAR. YH”
Tires
4 reports
“I ACQUIRED A CAR WITH FOUR NEW TIRES ARIZONIAN R/S,A/S. THE TIRES SAY TRACTION A TEMPERATURE B WEAR 360. UTQG GRADING SAYS TRACTION B TEMPERARURE C WEAR 240. WHY SUCH A VARIANCE? I WOULD NEVER RUN A TIRE WITH YOUR GRADING. I FEEL WEARY UNSAFE. *JB”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.