The 1992 draws 2.18 complaints per run and the 1996 1.39, a 1.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age, so 58% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Service Brakes, with 43 complaints, typically at 4.2 years.
Buick Roadmaster years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 39 | 28 | yes | |
| 1995 | 39 | 25 | yes | |
| 1994 | 66 | 37 | yes | |
| 1993 | 42 | 29 | yes | |
| 1992 | 72 | 33 | yes | |
| 1991 | 7 | 5 | yes |
Among the 6 Buick Roadmaster years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 1992, 1994, 1995; the three worth hunting are 1996, 1991, 1993.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 16.5% | covered | |
| 1 year | 28.8% | covered | |
| 2 years | 42% | covered | |
| 3 years | 50.5% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 63.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 74.5% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 80.7% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 85.8% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 88.7% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 91.5% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 95.3% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 96.7% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 97.6% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 98.6% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 42% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 58% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 10% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Buick Roadmaster, the early trouble is Hydraulic and Electrical System — reported at around 4 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Service Brakes at 4.2 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4.2 yrs | 6 | 2 | |
| Hydraulic | 4 yrs | 6 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 4 yrs | 3 | 4 | |
| Suspension | 5.7 yrs | 2 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3.2 yrs | — | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 2.8 yrs | 20 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3.9 yrs | 4 | 1 | |
| Seat Belts | 5.4 yrs | 1 | — |
What else in this class
1 models share the Roadmaster's vehicle class.
| Same class as the Roadmaster | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitsubishi Expo | 9 | 1992–1996 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Buick Roadmaster reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.69 against 3.73 for the average car.
Which Roadmaster years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 1992, 1994, 1995. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 1996, 1991, 1993. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Roadmaster problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 3 years of age. The most reported system is Service Brakes, typically at 4.2 years, followed by Hydraulic.
Will the warranty cover Roadmaster problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 42% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 10% of the complaints here.
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