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 70 complaints with NHTSA about the 1995 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8 | 11% |
| Visibility | 7 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 9% |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 9% |
| Power train | 5 | 7% |
| Steering | 4 | 6% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 6% |
| Structure | 4 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK ON HIGH AND THEY CUT OFF ON ME ONE DAY IN THE RAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER A HEAVY DOWNPOUR JUST STARTED OUT OF NOWHERE WHICH WAS VERY SCARY AND THEN AGAIN AROUND TOWN ON OTHER RAIN
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BUICK ROADMASTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD SOUND INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS SPORADIC BUT PROGRESSED INTO A CONTINUAL FAILURE. THE MALFUNCTION RECURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
VEHICLE IS DISPLAYING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL CAMPAIGN ID 96V019000 BUT IS NOT A COVERED VIN. I WOULD REQUEST THE NHTSA LOOK INTO THE EXTENSION OF THIS RECALL TO INCLUDE AT LEAST [XXX] AND POSSIBLY ALL 1995 MODEL YEAR B-BODY
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 PAR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO USE THE HORN IT DID NOT WORK. *AK THE HORN WIRING WAS REPAIRED. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON AND WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN. SUBSEQUENTLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUMPED AND SKIPPED OFF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, AND THE DEALER WAS AWAR
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO STEER THE VEHICLE. *NM CONSUMER FIRST EXPERIENCED PROBLEM ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING WAS INTERMITTENT. *L
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1995 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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY ADJUSTED TRANSMISSION SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SHIFT FROM THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTING FROM THE UNINTENDED MOVEMENT OF A
Fix: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SHIFT CONTROL LINKAGE SYSTEM.
THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD RESULT IN A FRACTURE OF THE WHEEL STUDS CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
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.
THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT CAUTION LABEL AND A ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
Risk: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABELS.
Fix: A NEW ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL, WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO OWNERS. OWNERS WILL INSTALL THE LABEL OR HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| 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 70 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 8 of them (11%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1995 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 68/100. 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.