1992 Buick Roadmaster: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 87 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints); the 1991 and 1993 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2011
“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”Owner report · Structure · May 2010
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2007
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jan 2007
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Sep 2006
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2005
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2005
“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”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2003
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jan 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 20 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.
Remedy: INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAN CORRODE AND LEAK FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR.
THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
Remedy: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1992 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Roadmaster by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1992 Buick Roadmaster reliable?
NHTSA has 87 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Buick Roadmaster problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 142,000 miles or less.
Does the 1992 Buick Roadmaster have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.