The Buick Roadmaster has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1991–1996. On average a defect was admitted 3.11 years after the car was built, the slowest took 16 years. The most recalled system is Wheels (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 265 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Buick Roadmaster
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Wheels 2 Read
What's wrong. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly
Risk. This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification
What's wrong. The wheel lug nuts were not tightened to the proper specification during assembly
Risk. This condition could result in a fracture of the wheel studs causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle
Fix. Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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
Air Bags 1 Read
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels
Fix. A new roof rack caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners will install the label or have their dealer install the label for them
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: operators could fail to notice and heed the warning labels
Fix. A new roof rack caution label, with installation instructions, will be sent directly to owners. Owners will install the label or have their dealer install the label for them
Power Train 1 Read
What's wrong. These vehicles were produced with an improperly adjusted transmission shift control linkage. This does not meet with the requirements of fmvss no. 114, "theft protection."
Risk. Consequence of non-compliance: it may be possible to shift from the "park" position with the ignition key removed increasing the risk of a vehicle accident resulting from the unintended movement of a parked vehicle
Fix. Dealers will adjust the shift control linkage system
Suspension 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Fix. 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 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly
Engine And Engine Cooling 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Fix. Dealers will retighten the fuel tank strap fasteners
Equipment 1 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. 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
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This condition may cause inadequate sealing and loss of engine oil, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. 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
Seat Belts 1 Read
What's wrong. The shoulder belt guide loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel sub-plate
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the exposed steelsub-plate can cut the safety belt webbing resulting in increased possibilityand/or severity of injury to the affected seat occupant
Fix. Install new shoulder belt guide loops
What's wrong. The shoulder belt guide loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel sub-plate
Risk. In the event of a vehicle crash, the exposed steelsub-plate can cut the safety belt webbing resulting in increased possibilityand/or severity of injury to the affected seat occupant
Fix. Install new shoulder belt guide loops
Latches/locks/linkages 1 Read
What's wrong. Secondary hood latch assemblies can corrode, causing a high latch release effort and possibly preventing the hood from latching properly when it is closed
Risk. If the secondary hood latch is not properly engaged, andthe primary hood latch was also not engaged, the hood could open and contact thewindshield while the vehicle was in motion, reducing the forward vision area ofthe driver and resulting in a possible vehicle accident without prior warning
Fix. Install a new secondary hood latch assembly
What's wrong. Secondary hood latch assemblies can corrode, causing a high latch release effort and possibly preventing the hood from latching properly when it is closed
Risk. If the secondary hood latch is not properly engaged, andthe primary hood latch was also not engaged, the hood could open and contact thewindshield while the vehicle was in motion, reducing the forward vision area ofthe driver and resulting in a possible vehicle accident without prior warning
Fix. Install a new secondary hood latch assembly
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 3.11 years |
| Slowest campaign | 16 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 22.2% |
| Campaigns on record | 12 |
Which Roadmaster years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Air Bags | |
| 1995 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1994 | Engine And Engine Cooling | |
| 1993 | Equipment | |
| 1992 | Equipment | |
| 1991 | Equipment |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Buick Roadmaster have?
12 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1991–1996. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Roadmaster still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 3.11 years, and the slowest campaign came 16 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.