1992 Buick Roadmaster Problems
- Complaints
- 87filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 142,000miles, 9 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 3campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 18 mpgcombined, 5.7L 8-cyl RWD · 15 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints on this model year center on the brake system, especially the antilock brake modulator, where owners describe the pedal going to the floor and longer stopping distances. Seat belt retractors that stop pulling the belt back in are the second most common theme, and several owners report airbags that did not deploy in a crash. Most reports come from high-mileage vehicles.
- Brakes
Brake pedal goes to floor / ABS modulator leak
- 21 complaints (24%)
- median 147,000 mi at 15.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
- 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1996–2011
Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it sink to the floorboard, with the vehicle taking much longer to stop or not stopping at all until it is forced into park or run into something. Several trace the problem to the antilock brake modulator, which they say corroded and leaked fluid from the front brake circuit; some had the whole module replaced. A number of owners say they were told their vehicle was not covered by recall 97V217000 because of its VIN, and others say a dealer performed a repair on the module rather than replacing it. Reports span a wide mileage range, from about 39,000 miles up to roughly 185,000 miles, with several clustered around 140,000 to 177,000 miles.
What to check: Check the brake fluid level and look for wet or corroded areas around the ABS modulator on the front brake circuit. Ask whether recall 97V217000 was ever applied to this specific vehicle and request the repair paperwork.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Complete, total brake failure. The only wat to stop was a light pole. Afterwards the varkes worked again. Contacted Buick the answer there is no warranty left on ther brake shoes! Buick dealer must look at it. Buick dealer nothing wrong, car sent back. I took it for state inspection, total brake failure while inspector does test drive. Back to Buick - no problems found then after another week at Buick the electrical system fails. We take ir to an independent mech. - the b dealer damaged the computer system, our mech fixes it. …”
NHTSA complaint #719166, filed 2000-02“- 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10178329, filed 2007-01, 177,000 miles - Seat belts
Seat belts will not retract
- 8 complaints (9%)
- median 140,000 mi at 11.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
- filed 1995–2003
Owners report shoulder and lap belts that no longer pull back into the retractor, leaving the belt slack or fully extended so it does not hold the occupant. Some describe the retractor spring breaking out through the housing, and one owner reports a fold-down seat hinge cutting into the rear shoulder belts. Dealers in these complaints are described as slow to supply parts or not having replaced the belts. Reported on vehicles well into their service life, with entries around 140,000 miles and a few noted after roughly two years of use in the rear seat area.
What to check: Pull each belt out fully and let it go; it should retract smoothly and firmly. Inspect the belt webbing near the fold-down seat hinge and the retractor housings for cracks.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“The rear passenger seat belt did not retract and the locking mechanism didn't work properly. This problem continued for 8 months. The right rear seat retractor and the lock had broken.”
NHTSA complaint #10033707, filed 2003-09, 140,000 miles“Driver's side and passenger's side seat belts do not retract into the retractor mechanism, causing the belt to be inoperative. The belts are too loose. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer has yet to replace parts. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #856678, filed 2000-02 - Air bags
Airbag did not deploy in a crash
- 9 complaints (10%)
- typically at 4.0 yrs old
- 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–2000
Owners describe frontal collisions in which the driver's side airbag did not inflate, with injuries reported in some cases. One owner also reports the airbag warning light staying on after repeated dealer visits, where the dealer reportedly tried switching wiring without resolving it. Reports are tied to crashes and warning-light symptoms rather than a clear mileage pattern; the sample does not give usable mileage for these complaints.
What to check: Turn the key to run and confirm the airbag warning light comes on and then goes out. Ask whether the airbag system has ever been scanned for stored fault codes.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While traveling at 60 MPH tread seperation occurred on new michelin tires put on 7 days before, causing a 3 vehicle near fatal accident. No deployment of airbags during collision. All kinds of vehicle's systems stopped to work.”
NHTSA complaint #867953, filed 2000-08“Consumer was driving approximately 50 MPH when she began braking to avoid stopped traffic. Brakes failed and consumer rearended another vehicle. The air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #826902, filed 1998-08 - Body and structure
Upper control arm bolts shear / suspension collapse
Mentioned in 4 of 48 sampled complaints
Owners report a loud bang followed by loss of steering control when bolts holding the upper control arm assembly break, letting the front suspension collapse while the vehicle is moving. One owner links the corrosion to battery acid dripping onto the bolts from the positive post directly above. Repairs described include replacing the control arm, sway bar and tie rod. Reported on older, high-mileage vehicles; the sample does not give consistent mileage figures for these entries.
What to check: Inspect the upper control arm bolts and surrounding wheel well for heavy rust or acid residue, especially on the right front side below the battery. Ask whether the battery has ever leaked.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Consumer stated without prior warning, the vehicle hesitates when shifting gears. . Consumer stated the driver wheel fell broke off due to the nuts and bolts had broken off, the brakes went out, the vehicle would not go into reverse, the thermostat went out, passenger window would not roll down, turn siganl was inoperative, windshield was replaced, and the upper ball joints were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #8003609, filed 2002-02“Bolts on the upper control arm that affix the control arm assembly were exposed to condensation containing battery acid that dripped down the front of the engine bay side of the right wheel well, from the positive battery post that is directly above it, and corroded through the bolts, which subsequently sheared, causing the right front suspension to collapse while the vehicle was in motion. …”
NHTSA complaint #743427, filed 2001-04
Buying note. On a vehicle this old, the brake system and seat belts deserve the most attention: confirm the ABS modulator recall status in writing and test that every belt retracts and locks. A pre-purchase inspection should also include the front suspension mounting bolts and underbody rust.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 48 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster. 9 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 142,000 miles. Of all complaints, 15 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 20 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes26 30%
- Seat belts11 13%
- Air bags10 11%
- Engine cooling10 11%
- Body and structure9 10%
- Electrical system4 4.6%
- Equipment4 4.6%
- Vehicle speed control4 4.6%
Also reported: Suspension (3), Other or unknown (2), Tires (2), Exterior lighting (1), Latches, locks and linkages (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Brakes: “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.”
NHTSA complaint #10199768, filed 2007-08, 80,000 milesSeat belts: “Fold down seat behind driver and passenger hinge cut through shoulder belts on both sides of fold down seat. These belts are at least half cut thru or severel damaged in just the last 2 years. The cut appears within 8 of floor of vehicle. They had been inspected just two years ago. This is safety equipment and should be the responsibiltiy of manufacturer to replace belts or supply plastic guard which would keep belt from being cut or crushed by seat hinge shearing action.”
NHTSA complaint #753604, filed 2001-10Air bags: “Air bag light: the air bag light will not go off. Had vehicle in for repairs three time. ,dealer said he had to switch some wires and the light still will not go off.”
NHTSA complaint #813138, filed 1997-06Engine cooling: “Engine knocks as described under service bulletin #92-6-21. Engine has metalic noise on initial start up when engine block temp. Is less than 40 degrees and disappears after warmup.”
NHTSA complaint #527461, filed 1997-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 9 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 104,000 and 175,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1992 Buick Roadmaster version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roadmaster RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Roadmaster Wagon RWD | 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
| Roadmaster Wagon RWD | 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 15 | 23 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 97V217000Nov 24, 1997Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCovers: Buick Roadmaster 1992, Chevrolet Caprice 1992, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1992
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The antilock brake system (abs) modulator can corrode and leak fluid from the front brake circuit.
- 92V094000Jul 1, 1992Seat beltsCovers: Buick Roadmaster 1991–1992, Chevrolet Caprice 1991, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1991
The shoulder belt guide loop plastic covering may crack and expose the steel sub-plate.
- 91V186000Oct 29, 1991Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › LatchCovers: Buick Roadmaster 1991–1992, Chevrolet Caprice 1991–1992, Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 1991–1992
Secondary hood latch assemblies can corrode, causing a high latch release effort and possibly preventing the hood from latching properly when it is closed.
Recall details for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE92079R seat belt webbing lengthClosed · Sep 9, 1992
- PE91109Dash reflcts in windshieldClosed · Aug 1, 1991
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10246631Sep 1, 2013Engine cooling. Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
Other model years of the Buick Roadmaster
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 52 | 81,562 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1995 | 50 | 106,250 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 85 | 130,000 | 5 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 46 | 125,000 | 0 | — | 17 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 87 | 142,000 | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 9 | — | 2 | — | 17 | — | Not enough data |
All Buick Roadmaster model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1992 Buick Roadmaster?
Complaints on this model year center on the brake system, especially the antilock brake modulator, where owners describe the pedal going to the floor and longer stopping distances. The issues reported most often: Brake pedal goes to floor / ABS modulator leak; Seat belts will not retract; Airbag did not deploy in a crash.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 Buick Roadmaster have?
NHTSA recorded 87 consumer complaints for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1992 Buick Roadmaster is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 26 complaints (30% of the total), followed by seat belts with 11.
Has the 1992 Buick Roadmaster been recalled?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1992 Buick Roadmaster get?
The EPA rates the 1992 Buick Roadmaster (Roadmaster, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1992 Buick Roadmaster reported?
Among the 9 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 142,000 miles and the middle half falls between 104,000 and 175,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.