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1996 Buick RoadmasterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 52 owner complaints about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

57
CarFlaw IndexSolid year24% below the Roadmaster median · #5 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints525 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage79kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 2, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Buick Roadmaster has problems

52 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering80
Suspension60
Engine and engine cooling60
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Electrical system51
Fuel system, gasoline40
Tires40
Visibility40
Vehicle speed control41
9 other systems152

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1996 Buick Roadmaster recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 96V-245 · Dec 10, 1996 · 21,582 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Roadmaster year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Roadmaster median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'99
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Buick Roadmaster safety ratings

1996 Buick Roadmaster 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Buick Roadmaster, and the recalls they led to.

  1. REAR WHEEL SEPARATIONEA96007 · closed Dec 24, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Roadmaster owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 1996 Buick Roadmaster. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the steering wheel was steering to the left while the vehicle was going to the right as well as while steering to the right the vehicle was going to the left. The dealer or independent mechanic was…
Complaint 11427408 · Aug 2, 2021 · 137,831 miles
CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN DARTS LEFT THEN HAS A LARGE AMOUNT PLAY IN STEERING. THEN IT MAY NOT DO IT FOR FOUR OR FIVE DAYS THEN IT MAY GO THE OTHER WAY. THIS IS A HIGH MILEAGE CAR BUT I SEE WHERE THERE IS ANOTHER ONE LISTED AS DOING THE SAME THING. *TR
Complaint 10211320 · Dec 10, 2007 · 20,000 miles
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL WANDER OFF TO THE LEFT AND WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT OF THE ROAD. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Complaint 10004632 · Jan 24, 2003

Own a 1996 Roadmaster?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.