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 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 1994 Buick Roadmaster, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 18 | 13% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 13% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 10% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 8% |
| Suspension | 10 | 7% |
| Air bags | 10 | 7% |
| Structure | 9 | 7% |
| Power train | 8 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 4% |
| Visibility | 5 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WENT AND FILLED THE FUEL TANK WITH FUEL , I WENT ABOUT 100 YARDS TO ANOTHER STORE , STAYED IN THE STORE ABOUT 30 MINUTES , WHEN I CAME OUT I NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND ON THE LEFT SIDE AROUND THE FUEL TANK
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 BUICK ROADMASTER. HE NOTICED A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE NEAR THE FUEL TANK. HE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AND DIDN'T RECEIVE A RESPONSE. HE ALSO NOTIFIED THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON APRIL 10TH 2006 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP TO SHEMY THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT AS WELL AS REPLACE THE RIGHT INNER TIRE ROADS AND END BUSHINGS. THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO SE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 7 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE BALL JOINT DISLODGING. *AK THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED DUE TO THE NUT BACKING OFF. THE BALL JOINT FELL OUT OF THE KNUCKLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CO
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
UPON TURNING VEHICLE OFF KEY BECOME STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, TECHNICIAN REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I PURCHASED 4 NEW GOODYEAR TIRES APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO. WHILE DRIVING ON FLORIDA TPK ON 1/4/04 I COULD HEAR A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. I GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK AT TIRE AND I COULD SEE THA
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Tires
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC FOR REGULAR OIL CHANGE, AND FOUND OUT THAT FRAME RUSTED AND HAD A HOLE. WHICH WAS A SAFETY ISSUED. DEALER NOT NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1994 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.
PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.
Risk: ONCE CLAMP LOAD IS LOST, ALL TIRE LOADS ARE TAKEN BY THE WHEEL STUDS RESULTING IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLES
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALSO, THE WHEEL STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND WILL BE REPLACED AS NECESSARY.
DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.
Risk: IF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT LOOSENS, FATIGUES AND SEPARATES FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION KNUCKLE, IT COULD CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS FOR PROPER TORQUE. IF THE BALL JOINT HAS LOOSENED FROM THE KNUCKLE, BOTH THE BALL JOINT AND THE KNUCKLE WILL BE REPLACED.
THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.
Risk: IF THIS OCCURS, THE OIL LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FUEL TANK LEAK AND FIRE IF THE LEAKING FUEL IS EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 56 | average |
| Depreciation | 54 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 32 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 134 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 18 of them (13%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (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 1994 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.