1994 Buick Roadmaster

Routine

Owners filed 85 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 5 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip8
110
Air Bags › Frontal5
504
Vehicle Speed Control4
101
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Suspension3
000
Structure › Body › Door3
010
Electrical System › Horn3
000
Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables3
000
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly2
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission2
000

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint96V019000
Filed Jan 30, 1996308 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 Control › Springs95V082000
Filed Apr 24, 199587,039 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting94V210000
Filed Oct 25, 1994130,581 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs94V076000
Filed Apr 16, 1994139 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 Cooling › Cooling System › Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings94V049000
Filed Mar 21, 19948,475 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 2, 201943,800 milesGA

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 24, 2008130,000 milesGA

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.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint
Filed Sep 21, 2004133,000 milesKY

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

Electrical System › Ignition › Switch
Filed Jul 29, 2004OK

UPON TURNING VEHICLE OFF KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jan 7, 2004FL

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 BEACH, FL. WHILE WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT GOODYEAR DID NOT REPLACE THE TIRE AT NO COST, WE JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY DENIED ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT IN THIS TIRE. IF I DID NOT PULL OFF THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD THE NOISE, THE TIRE WOULD HAVE BLOWN AT HIGH SPEED AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE. WHEN I CHALLANGED GOODYEAR THEY RESPONDED WITH THEY DON'T FULLY REPLACE TIRES ACCORDING TO THEIR GUARENTEE. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS BY GOODYEAR IN THE PAST BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER TIRE MODELS. SOMEONE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN OR THAT THEY RECALL THIS MODEL. I'VE INCLOSED PICTURES AND A COPY OF THE INVOICE FROM THE DEALER. I HAD TO REPLACE THE OTHER FRON TIRE ALSO TO HAVE THE SAME TREAD WEAR ON THE FRON

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Jul 29, 2003IL

WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Jun 26, 2003MI

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Nov 14, 2002CT

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

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Oct 25, 2002NJ

THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOESN'T STAY CLIPPED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *SCC

Suspension
Filed Dec 5, 2001TX

VEHICLE JERKS WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING 60MPH VEHICLE SHAKES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Jul 12, 2001MI

CONSUMER STATES UNDERSIZED CONNECTOR STUD FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING, DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND STUD WAS MELTED, DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY POSITIVE CONNECTOR ON THE UNDER HOOD FUSE BOX AND CLEANED THE CABLES AND CONNECTORS. *SLC

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Feb 27, 2001NY

COMPUTER MODULE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY, LEAVING CONSUMER STRANDED. DEALER HAS REPLACED MODULE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly
Filed Jan 22, 2001TX

THE SPRING IN THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEATBELT TO STAY FASTENED, CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE THE PASSENGER SIDE BUCKLE EVEN THOUGH IT WASN'T NEEDED AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE BELT KIT. *SLC

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Dec 9, 2000CA

ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITH OUT ANY PATTERN... HOT, COLD FAST,SLOW. *AK

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Oct 29, 2000OR

HORN WON'T HONK UNLESS STEERING WHEEL IS STRAIGHT AHEAD-ALWAYS-REPLACED BY DEALER ONCE, WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. GM PAID FOR THE PART: $600!!! DANGEROUS! CAPRICE AND FLEETWOOD ARE THE SAME B BODY SERIES OF GM FULL-SIZE, REAR DRIVE, V-8 VEHICLES (THEIR LAST OF THESE)!

Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood
Filed Aug 1, 2000MO

ENGINE IS DEAD WHEN THE BATTERY TERMINAL GETS HOT. YH

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery › Cables
Filed Jun 22, 2000CA

THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO A MELTED CABLE FROM THE BATTERY TO A COMPUTER THAT CONTROLED THE ENGINE. YH

Suspension › Front › Control Arm
Filed Jun 21, 2000PA

OUR CAR HAS BEEN DEALER MAINTAINED SINCE ITS PURCHASE. THE PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT BROKE AS WE WERE SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN, THEREBY ESCAPING PERSONAL INJURY. THE DEALER WHICH MAINTAINS THE CAR STATED THEY HAVE GREASED THE JOINT WITH EACH OIL CHANGE AND THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO PREVIOUS TRAUMA. HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN NO DAMAGE TO ANY OF THE WHEELS (E.G. HITTING A POTHOLE, ACCIDENT, ETC.) NOR HAS A TIRE BEEN REPLACED DUE TO THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE. THEREFORE, WE FEEL THE CAR WAS BUILT WITH AN INHERENT SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery
Filed Jun 8, 2000WI

SMELLED GASOLINE. NOTICED LEAKAGE WITHIN INCHES OF THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. ENTIRE CROSSFRAME WAS WET. CONTACTED DEALER . DEALER DISCOVERED THAT FUEL LEAKAGE WAS CAUSED BY CHAFING OF FUEL LINES. *AK *ML

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed May 22, 2000CA

FACTORY INSTALLED WATER PUMP WITHOUT THE BEARING SEAL. THIS CAUSED COOLANT LEAKAGES AND OVERHEATING. ENGINEER INSPECTED ORIGINAL WATER PUMP AND STATED THAT THE BEARINGS WERE NOT SEALED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AT 45000 MILES. *AK *ML

20 of 85 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19991000Routine
199652210Routine
199550510Routine
1994 — this page85540Routine
199346110Routine
199287410Routine
19919300Routine

Compare every Roadmaster year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jan 30, 1996. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.