1995 Buick Roadmaster Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1995 Buick Roadmaster most often describe the vehicle pulling to one side and recall repairs being refused. Other common reports involve sudden acceleration or unexpected movement, and fuel pump or fuel line failures. Mileage is stated in only a few reports, from about 40,000 to 192,800 miles.

1. 1
   Suspension

   Vehicle pulls or drifts to one side

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 97,500 mi at 15.6 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Owners describe the vehicle pulling or drifting to one side, usually the right, and a report describes shimmy at 50 to 65 mph. Complaints link the pull to a suspected wheel bearing, a missing frame bolt, a tire rubbing the sway bar, or possibly the drive shaft or rear differential. In a report, the dealer could not find the problem until a wheel bearing failed and was replaced, after which the pull stopped. None of the reports in this group state mileage, and some describe the pull as present since purchase or as occurring on turns.

   What to check: Ask a seller or inspector to check wheel bearings, alignment and the frame bolts before buying, and to test for pull on a straight, level road. Ask whether any earlier pull complaint was resolved by a wheel bearing or alignment repair, and what the repair record shows.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When slowing down to make a turn driver heard a noise. Driver drove a couple of miles afterwards, and vehicle began to steer to right on its own. Owner became concerned and looked under vehicle, and noticed bolt on a frame was totally missing. Problem was reported to dealership. Owner was referred to gmc division. Problem was corrected by an alignment shop. The customer state that upper a frame fastners and shim pack should be redesigned.”

   NHTSA complaint #874463, filed 2000-11

   “Coolant leaks, water pump keeps going out which ruins the distributor. Had water pump replaced 3 times. Dealer contacted. Cause unknown. Consumer states that vehicle drifts to right, coolant leak near thermostat and replaced coolant pump refill, brakes squeal when turning, both rear wheel cylinders were leaking and were replaced, and there is a shudder on brake when applying, also front brakes were replaced, wheel bearings repacked and needs rear drums resurfaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #8005806, filed 2002-03
2. 2
   Suspension

   Recall repair refused for VIN or age reasons

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 106,250 mi at 13.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2001–2011

   Owners say that after learning of a recall, the dealer or manufacturer told them the vehicle was not covered because of its VIN. Several complaints involve recalls for the lower ball joint or control arm, wheel lug nuts, and throttle linkage, and a complaint describes the dealer refusing to check the recalled ball joint because the car was old. A complaint with recall-related symptoms asks the agency to look into extending the recall to more vehicles. Where mileage is given, it ranges from about 97,500 to 115,000 miles, and the other reports in this group do not state it.

   Recall 96V019000Recall 96V245000Recall 95V082000

   What to check: Look up each recall on the NHTSA site using the vehicle's VIN and ask the dealer to confirm in writing whether it applies. Ask specifically about the lower ball joint, wheel lug nut and throttle recalls, since complaints describe them being refused.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cars front suspension began popping and moaning. Car can not make tight turns without sounding like the front end is going to break into pieces. I took the car to local GM dealership(j.p. Harvey) after getting the recall information on ntsb website. The parts department said they tightened the hub bolts. However, since the car was so old refused to check ball joint or any other of the recalled parts. I was given this car by my mother who sustained an accident back in 2004 when the right side failed and sent her into a deep ditch. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10415748, filed 2011-07, 97,500 miles

   “96 v 082 000/throttle linkages and control return spring: vehicle taken to goodyear independent repair shop and informed of this recall. Dealer/manufacturer were notified. They informed consumer that this vehicle was not covered under recall due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #895222, filed 2001-08
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Sudden acceleration or unexpected movement

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • typically at 6.9 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2013

   Owners describe the car accelerating unexpectedly, including a jump from 40 to 70 mph. A report describes the throttle going to full at about 60 mph while the owner was braking, linked to a cruise control cable, and the owner says the brakes pulsed and the anti-lock system jammed. Another report describes the car accelerating suddenly with the foot on the brake while shifting from park to reverse, and another describes a car left running in park that moved into reverse and hit a fence. None of these reports state mileage, and the events occur at speeds from about 40 to 70 mph or during a shift out of park.

   Recall 95V082000Recall 95V221000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 95V082000 for accelerator pedal friction and recall 95V221000 for shift linkage adjustment have been completed. Have the brake and throttle response and the shift from park to reverse checked during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was backing my 95 Buick Roadmaster station wagon from a parking lot at a retirement center when I depressed the brake to allow me to shift from park to reverse, the car suddenly accelerated and shot back across the parking lot, nearly a hundred feet before I was able to turn the wheel and veer it away from a crowded building and then turn off the ignition key to stop the motor. I had my foot on the brake the entire time and was not near the accelerator pedal.”

   NHTSA complaint #10109931, filed 2005-02

   “Vehicle took off full throttle while in drive going aproximately 60mph. Consumer was stomping on brake pedal trying to stop and brakes were pulsating, causing ABS to jam. Consumer turned key to shut vehicle off. Cruise control cable pulled throttle cable back. Consumer stated he had no control of vehicle and injured his foot.”

   NHTSA complaint #8011785, filed 2002-06
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump or fuel line failures

   • 5 complaints (10%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 9.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2003

   Owners describe a fuel pump that stopped working while driving after an electrical short, with wiring to the pump found melted or shorted. A report describes a fuel gauge that read empty with a full tank, with pump wires showing severe damage that the complaint says could have led to a fire. Another report describes a clip that came off a fuel line, leaked fuel, and lost a large part of the tank, and the dealer could not find the reason. The only mileage in this group is about 40,000 miles, and the other reports do not state it.

   What to check: Ask the seller whether the fuel pump, fuel sender and fuel line clips have been replaced or inspected, and check for a fuel odor or a gauge reading that does not match the tank level. Have the fuel pump wiring and connections inspected by a technician before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Once the fuel gauge registered half full it would stop operating. The dealer found that the electrical wiring to the fuel pump had melted and the fuel pump had to be replaced. The rear tail light assembly was cracked.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044394, filed 2003-12, 40,000 miles

   “Wires on fuel pump within fuel tank showed signs of severe shortages which could have LED to a fire. Dealer notifed. Part was available for analysis. Consumer stated even though the gas tank was full, the gas needle would drop to zero, consumer states the entire fuel sensor and pump was replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #8017547, filed 2002-08

Buying note. Before buying a 1995 Roadmaster, ask for proof that the lower ball joint, wheel lug nut, throttle and shift linkage recalls have been completed. Owners also describe pulling to one side and fuel pump failures, so have the alignment, wheel bearings and fuel pump wiring checked before purchase.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 31 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.