BUICK ROADMASTER · model year

1992 BUICK ROADMASTER

105 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1992BUICKROADMASTER carries 105 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 20 crashes, 1 fire, 27 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1992 ROADMASTER is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 16 filings, followed by air bags:frontal (8) and power train:automatic transmission (6). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 1992 ROADMASTER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

105
Complaints
20
Crashes
1
Fires
27
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

105 filings

Crashes Reported

20 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP16
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION6
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE5
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4
STRUCTURE:BODY3
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING2
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES2

Recent Complaints

20110131SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V217000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE MODULE THAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL, BUT PERFORM A FIX TO IT SO THAT IT WOULD NOT LEAK ANYMORE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE ABS MODULE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

Mileage: 147,000

20100511STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. RECENTLY HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED AND THE RUST ON THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE WAS SO BAD ONE OF THEM FELL OFF SEVERAL DAYS LATER. WHILE BEING REPAIRED THE SERVICE CENTER INFORMED ME THE CHASSIS WAS ABOUT TO RUST THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER PASS INSPECTION. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. MY VEHICLE HAS 185,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR VERY WELL. THERE IS ALSO MUCH RUST UNDER THE HOOD ON THE WHEEL WELLS AND AROUND THE TRUNK LID. *TR

Mileage: 185,817

20100421CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 156,000.

Mileage: 142,000

20091015CrashSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE PROPER DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAUSED THE CRASH SINCE IT WAS CORRODED AND LEAKING FLUID FROM THE BRAKE CIRCUIT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS 17 YEARS OLD AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REPAIR IT. THE CONTACT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE REPAIR COSTS. THERE WAS NO NEED TO NOTIFY THE POLICE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20070816SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS MODULATOR FAILED. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 97V217000 (SERVICE BRAKES: HYDRAULIC ANTILOCK). THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWER TRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20070110SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER, AND THAT ON JANUARY 7 2007 SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE SERVICE LIGHT ON CAME ON AT THAT TIME. SHE WAS LEAVING A GAS STATION AT THE TIME AND DRIVING 5-10 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC ,WHO TOLD HER TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS RECALL 97V217000 .ON HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A BUICK DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 02/16/07. *JB

Mileage: 177,000

20060928CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ONCE MORE AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/21/06. *JB

Mileage: 104,000

20050719SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. . HIS LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND RECALL, 97V217000. WHEN HE CONTACTED BUICK, OLDSMOBILE, GENERAL MOTORS, AND ALSO A LOCAL DEALER, THEY ARE ALL STATED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT NUMBER WAS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE WHEEL CYLINDER, AND HAD THE BRAKES REALIGNED. THE PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. *AK *JB

20050719SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. . HIS LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND RECALL, 97V217000. WHEN HE CONTACTED BUICK, OLDSMOBILE, GENERAL MOTORS, AND ALSO A LOCAL DEALER, THEY ARE ALL STATED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHAT THAT NUMBER WAS AND THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENED FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS. THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATED HAD TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE WHEEL CYLINDER, AND HAD THE BRAKES REALIGNED. THE PROBLEM WAS CONSTANT, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. *AK *JB

20040607FireEQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

NAR 03/13/2003 THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WEST BOUND ON OHIO THE TURNPIKE WHEN HE STARTED SMELLING SMOKE, HE THEN LOOKED TO SEE THAT THE ENTIRE TRUNK AND BACK SEAT AREA WAS SUSTAINED WITH HEAVY FIRE DAMAGE IN WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS CAUSED BY THE SPEAKERS IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. *CB *JB

20040429STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

CONSUMER STATED THAT TRUNK HAS A VERY SHARP EDGE THAT'S HIDDEN. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER CUT HIS HAND. *AK

Mileage: 100,000

20030812SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND THE LOCKING MECHANISM DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR 8 MONTHS. *AK THE RIGHT REAR SEAT RETRACTOR AND THE LOCK HAD BROKEN. *SCC *JB

Mileage: 140,000

20030107SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT

THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM THE SIDE OF THE BRAKES. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

20020510SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. *AK

20020205POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

20020205SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

20020205WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

20020205SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

20020205ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

20020205VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, TURN SIGANL WAS INOPERATIVE, WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED, AND THE UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED.*SLC

Compare 1992BUICKROADMASTER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER have?
The 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER has 105 NHTSA complaints, 20 crashes, 1 fires, 27 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER?
The most-complained component for the 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:FRONTAL and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.