Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Steering8
- Engine and engine cooling6
- Suspension6
- Electrical system5
- Service brakes, hydraulic5
- Tires4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Vehicle speed control4
- Visibility4
- Structure3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 Buick Roadmaster failed the safety check 0.64% of the time — 56% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 121,722 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In Finland
8 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 135,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
3 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 13.1 L/100 km (about 18 mpg US), CO₂ 301 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadmaster · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 9.9 | 13.1 |
| Roadmaster Wagon · Station wagon: Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 15.6 | 9.9 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster.
| 1996205 13 Dec 1996 | Suspension THE WHEEL LUG NUTS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY RESULT IN FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS, WHICH COULD … |
| 1996025 12 Feb 1996 | Suspension NOTE: INCLUDES CAPRICE POLICE SEDANS, TAXI CABS AND SPECIAL SERVICE WAGONS; FLEETWOOD HEARSE AND LIMOUSINE. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT MAY BE … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Buick told its dealers about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 634815 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR SERVICE ENGINE SOON INDICATOR IS ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 SET. *TT |
| 627839 | INFORMATION REGARDING HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT, SERVICE ENGINE SOON, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP, OR CEL ILLUMINATED, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1870 SET. (1996-2000 CHEVROLET AND GMC LIGHT DUTY TRUCK MODELS) *YH |
| 622930 | SOME OWNERS WITH VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE JANUARY 15,1999 MAY COMMENT ON A HARSH 1-2 UPSHIFT AND MAY ALSO HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. *ET |
| 622895 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE HEATER IS INOPERATIVE, BLOWS COLD AIR, THE ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN OVERHEAT CONDITION OR THE COOLANT RESERVOIR HAS RUST IN IT. *TT |
| 618141 | A NO REVERSE, NO SECOND GEAR, OR NO FOURTH GEAR CONDITION. *TT UPDATED *EH |
| 618109 | VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE FAILURES. *JB |
| 618093 | CONCERNS W ITH EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE FAILURES. *JB |
| 616774 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY EXPERIENCE A FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) VALVE DUE TO CORROSION OF THE INTERNAL DIAPHRAGM PLATE, LEADING TO DRIVEABILITY COMPLAINTS OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FOR EGR VALVE (DTC P0400); OR ENGINE STALL AT IDLE, RUNS ROUGH OR SURGES. *TT |
| 603086 | SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE ENGINE MISS/ POOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS. *YC |
| 54332 | EXPERIENCING ENGINE NOISE. *YC |
| 54328 | EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLICK NOISE WHEN TURNING. *YC |
| 52601 | ENGINE NOISE (INSTALL VALVE STEM OIL SEAL). *TW |
| 52600 | CLN INDICATOR APPEARS ON RADIO DISPLAY AND DOES NOT TURN OFF (RESET CLN INDICATOR WITH THE EJECT BUTTON ON TAPE). *TW |
| 52554 | TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM PUMP BODY (REPLACE BUSHING). *TW |
| 52106 | WATER IN AIR PUMP AND/OR DTC P0410, P0412, P1415, P1416, P0100, P0101, P0102 AND DTC 48 (INSTALL AIR PUMP SERVICE KIT). *TW |
| 52105 | TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM PUMP BODY (REPLACE BUSHING). *TW |
| 51502 | TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM PUMP BODY/REPLACE BUSHING. *TW |
| 51354 | TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK FROM PUMP BODY (REPLACE BUSHING). *TW |
| 10246631 | Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules |
| 10208027 | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 10171318 | This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update. |
| 10170494 | This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to Unlock Delco Radio with Theftlock. |
| 10168979 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. E version update is to add administrative details. |
| 10166638 | This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy. |
| 10165876 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the unlock code from the scrambled code. The PI update to version D is to advise the unlock procedure is temporarily unavailable. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
REAR WHEEL SEPARATION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation