IllustrationVEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTO DOOR LOCKS, AND THE COURTESY LIGHTS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
1996 Buick Roadmaster
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 46.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Roadmaster years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 10 of 52 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
5 reportsWHILE BACKING IN VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED, WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK WIRES INSIDE THE GAS TANK BURNED AND MELTED PLASTIC AT THE FUEL TANK HOOK UP. THIS COULD'VE BLOWN UP AND KILLED SOMEONE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR…
Read full complaint
WHILE BACKING IN VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED, WIRING HARNESS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK WIRES INSIDE THE GAS TANK BURNED AND MELTED PLASTIC AT THE FUEL TANK HOOK UP. THIS COULD'VE BLOWN UP AND KILLED SOMEONE. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A REFUND FOR THE WIRING HARNESS. *PH
96 BUICK ROADMASTER WAGON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CATCHES FIRE AND DESTROYS CAR! INTERNAL DOOR FIRE.
HORN FAILS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE THE BUTTON TO ACTIVATE HORN IS DIFFICULT TO PRESS. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.*AK
WHEN IGNITION KEY IS IN "RUN" POSITION, "ARCING" AS EVIDENCED BY INTENSE STATIC ON THE AM RADIO, IS TAKING PLACE. WHEN KEY IS IN "ACCESSORY" POSITION, NO STATIC IS PRESENT AND AM RADIO FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE ORIGINAL DEALER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. REFUSED TO EVEN INVESTIGATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRESENT OWNER…
Read full complaint
WHEN IGNITION KEY IS IN "RUN" POSITION, "ARCING" AS EVIDENCED BY INTENSE STATIC ON THE AM RADIO, IS TAKING PLACE. WHEN KEY IS IN "ACCESSORY" POSITION, NO STATIC IS PRESENT AND AM RADIO FUNCTIONS NORMALLY. MADE THREE ATTEMPTS TO HAVE ORIGINAL DEALER DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. REFUSED TO EVEN INVESTIGATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO PRESENT OWNER, WHOSE SERVICE ADVISOR, WHEN PRESENTED WITH PROBLEM BY ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THE STATIC, ADMITTED THAT, "THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN." DEALER REPLACED RADIO. OBVIOUSLY, NO CHANGE. RADIO IS NOT THE PROBLEM, JUST THE "MESSENGER" AND IS PROVIDING THE EVIDENCE OF A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER. CONTACTED BUICK (FILE 9901-07-953). THEY ALSO REFUSED TO INTERVENE. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ISOLATE PROBLEM BY DISCONNECTING INDIVIDUAL POWER TO BLOWER, FUEL PUMP, ETC., TO NO AVAIL. I AM CONCERNED THAT, EVENTUALLY, WHATEVER IS ARCING WILL CAUSE ENOUGH HEAT TO START A FIRE. CAN YOU HELP? *AK
Official recalls
296V245000 · Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Dec 10, 1996
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
95V215000 · Air Bags
Nov 3, 1995
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA96007 · Rear Wheel Separation
Opened May 31, 1996 · Closed Dec 24, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT THEY ARE CONDUCTING A RECALL TO RETORQUE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS ON VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER OF 1995.IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT MOST VEHICLES WILL REQUIRE THE WHEEL LUG NUTS TO BE RETORQUED TO 135 N.M(100 LB. FT.).CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD ALL FOUR OF THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED SHOULD HAVE PROPERLY TORQUED LUG NUTS.HOWEVER, GM IS OFFERING CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIR TIRES AND WHEELS ROTATED THE OPTION OF RETURNING TO THEIR DEALER FOR THIS REPAIR OR COMPLETING AND RETURNING AN OWNER REPLY CARD INCLUDED WITH THEIR RECALL NOTICE.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED.