Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA about the 1992 Buick Roadmaster, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 21 | 23% |
| Seat belts | 11 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 10% |
| Air bags | 9 | 10% |
| Structure | 7 | 8% |
| Power train | 7 | 8% |
| Equipment | 4 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 97V217000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK), THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE DEALE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
EXCESSIVE RUST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE. RECENTLY HAD A NEW FUEL PUMP INSTALLED AND THE RUST ON THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE WAS SO BAD ONE OF THEM FELL OFF SEVERAL DAYS LATER. WHILE BEING REPA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHIC
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AT THE PROPER DISTANCE WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO REAR END A VEHICLE. THE CONTACT S
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*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 PU
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL* - 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.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE PROBLEM COULD BE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AND HAD THE CRUISE CONTR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE PROBLEM. . HIS LOCAL MECHANIC FOUND RECALL, 97V217000. WHEN HE CONTACTED BUICK, OLDSMOBILE, GENERAL MOTORS, AND ALSO A LOCAL DEALER, THEY ARE ALL STATED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 Buick Roadmaster. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AN
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE EXPOSED STEELSUB-PLATE CAN CUT THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING RESULTING IN INCREASED POSSIBILITYAND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THE AFFECTED SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.
SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.
Risk: IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, ANDTHE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN AND CONTACT THEWINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, REDUCING THE FORWARD
Fix: INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAN CORRODE AND LEAK FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 56 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 91 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 21 of them (23%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1992 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 67/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.