Skip to content
Buick RoadmasterModel year report

1996 Buick Roadmaster Problems

Complaints
52filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
81,562miles, 10 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in 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 / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 1996 Buick Roadmaster most often describe power steering that stops working or locks up after a water pump leak wets the drive belt. Other common reports include steering that wanders or pulls, wiring that shorts or arcs, sometimes near the fuel tank, and front ball joints that break. Most of the water pump and belt complaints were filed between 1999 and 2001, and mileage is missing from most complaints.

  1. Steering

    Power steering lost after water pump leaks onto belt

    • 5 complaints (10%)
    • typically at 4.6 yrs old
    • filed 1999–2001

    Owners describe power steering that stops working or locks up after coolant from a water pump leak reaches the drive belt. Some say the loss came with no prior warning, and others say it happened mainly in wet weather or after the engine was wet. Some say the dealer could not offer a remedy, while others describe a loss of control. Mileage is not listed in these complaints, which describe the problem happening in wet weather or after the engine is wet.

    What to check: Ask a technician to check the water pump for leaks and inspect the drive belt for coolant, since owners describe a wet belt making the power steering slip or lock. Ask whether the water pump has already been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “While driving steering controls of the vehicle will lock up. Water pump leaks on to the belt while driving at low speed and when making a sharp turn . Belt slips, and locks up power steering.”

    NHTSA complaint #881581, filed 2001-02

    “Coolant leaks from the bottom of the water pump onto vibration damper and power steering belt, causing loss of control. Please give any further details.”

    NHTSA complaint #861837, filed 2000-05
  2. Electrical system

    Wiring shorts, arcs, or melts, sometimes at the fuel tank

    • 6 complaints (12%)
    • median 67,862 mi at 9.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 1997–2018

    Owners describe wiring that shorts or arcs, leading to a failed fuel pump, a no-start condition, or a stall. Some complaints describe melted or burned wire harnesses inside or near the fuel tank, and a mechanic found the pump wiring loose. Other complaints describe a cable rubbing against a harness and leading to a short and fire, and AM radio static from arcing that continued after the dealer replaced the radio. Mileage is listed in only some of these complaints, ranging from about 38,000 to 79,000 miles.

    What to check: Ask a technician to inspect the fuel pump wiring and the harness at the fuel tank, and to look for melting, rubbing, or arcing near the accelerator cable. If the fuel pump has been replaced, ask whether its wiring connections were checked as well.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Upon leaving for work in the morning, my 1996 Buick Roadmaster with 56,600 miles would not start. I had the car towed to a local auto repair garage. Went to pick up car a couple of days later and the mechanic told me I was lucky there had not been a fire or explosion due to the smoldering fuel pump and melted wiring harness inside the fuel tank. He gave me the part. I thought that general motors would be interested in hearing about this defect as I was sure that many other roadmasters are still on the road. I called the customer relations dept. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10161526, filed 2006-07, 56,600 miles

    “While backing in vehicle stalled. Vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. Service technician stated, wiring harness needed replacement. 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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10046367, filed 2003-12, 38,000 miles
  3. Steering

    Steering wanders, pulls, or has excess play

    • 5 complaints (10%)
    • median 78,915 mi at 16.5 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1997–2021

    Owners describe steering that wanders, darts, or pulls to one side without warning, with large play in the wheel in some cases. Some describe the wheel turning in the opposite direction from the way the vehicle travels, and the symptom can come and go. Some complaints describe repeated front-end steering repairs, including replacement of most front-end parts. Where mileage is listed, it ranges from about 20,000 to 138,000 miles, and the symptom is described as intermittent in some complaints.

    What to check: Ask a technician to inspect the steering linkage and front-end parts for play, and ask for a test drive that covers highway speed. Ask for records of earlier steering or front-end repairs, since some complaints describe repeated replacement of those parts.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10211320, filed 2007-12, 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”

    NHTSA complaint #10004632, filed 2003-01
  4. Suspension

    Front ball joint breaks or a wheel falls off

    • 6 complaints (12%)
    • median 151,907 mi at 16.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
    • filed 1997–2021

    Owners describe a lower ball joint breaking or snapping, sometimes while driving slowly in a parking lot or at low speed, with a tire folding under the car in some cases. A complaint describes a front tire coming off while turning, after grinding noise and bouncing, and repairs included all of the wheel studs. Another describes repeated front-end repairs, and a complaint notes a previous ball joint recall that the owner says did not apply due to the build serial number. Mileage in the sample ranges from 84,000 to 202,550 miles, and the failures are described at low speed or while turning.

    Recall 96V245000

    What to check: Ask a technician to check the lower ball joints for play and wear, and ask the dealer to confirm whether any previous ball joint recall was checked against the VIN and build date. Check the wheel studs and lug nuts for tightness, since a complaint describes a wheel coming off.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The lower control arm ball joint broke off when I started to drive the car in a parking lot on october 31, 2006. I had to have a new lower arm and ball joint installed on the car since a bolt had sheared holding the ball joint to the arm. Buick had a previous recall on this, but my car was supposedly built with a later serial number. I have the broken assembly stored in my garage.”

    NHTSA complaint #10174729, filed 2006-11, 202,550 miles

    “I was on the way home the car started to make a grinding type of noise as well as a bounce and came to a stop a a red light to turn left and as I was turning left my right front tire fell off bouncing away bent my front passenger fender as well as trim I had to pay a tow truck $150 to take my car to my house to fix all 5 wheel studs also when I bought the car the seat belt doesn't click to stay in position the interior lights don't turn off I have to disconnect the battery so the car won't die over night and now the engine doesn't not want to …”

    NHTSA complaint #11156939, filed 2018-12, 165,983 miles

Buying note. When considering this model year, ask whether the water pump has been replaced and whether the drive belt and power steering have been checked for coolant contamination. Also ask about wiring repairs near the fuel pump and tank, and ask for the inspection history of the front ball joints and wheel studs.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 27 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 52 consumer complaints for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster. 10 of the complaints include a mileage, and 30% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,562 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 14 technical service bulletins 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.

Also reported: Body and structure (3), Transmission and drivetrain (2), Wheels (2), Air bags (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1), Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “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 not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,831. Invalid VIN provided.”

NHTSA complaint #11427408, filed 2021-08, 137,831 miles

Engine cooling: “When engine is substantially wet power steering is lost. There is no prior warning. Dealer was unable to provide remedy, but has recognized the defect.”

NHTSA complaint #893985, filed 2001-08

Suspension: “Driving on san pablo dam rd just past appian way at about 30-35 MPH the right ft tire folded up under the car the lower ball joint failed and snapped in half.”

NHTSA complaint #10156604, filed 2006-05, 84,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

30% of the 10 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 38,000 and 142,000 miles.

10%0–1010%10–2510%25–5010%50–7520%75–10020%100–15020%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (10 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 81,562 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’9716’99’01’03’05’07’21
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Roadmaster · sedan not rated4 / 2———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1996 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Roadmaster RWD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152418$3,700
Roadmaster Wagon RWD5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic152418$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

Recall details for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

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. 14 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 14 bulletins →

Other model years of the Buick Roadmaster

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19965281,5622—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199550106,2505—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199485130,0005—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199346125,0000—17Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199287142,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19919—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 1996 Buick Roadmaster?

Owners of the 1996 Buick Roadmaster most often describe power steering that stops working or locks up after a water pump leak wets the drive belt. The issues reported most often: Power steering lost after water pump leaks onto belt; Wiring shorts, arcs, or melts, sometimes at the fuel tank; Steering wanders, pulls, or has excess play.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster have?

NHTSA recorded 52 consumer complaints for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1996 Buick Roadmaster is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 8 complaints (15% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 6.

Has the 1996 Buick Roadmaster been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Buick Roadmaster (Roadmaster, 5.7L 8-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 15 city and 24 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 1996 Buick Roadmaster reported?

Among the 10 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,562 miles and the middle half falls between 38,000 and 142,000 miles; 30% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.