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1996 Buick Roadmaster problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Buick Roadmaster is steering. Its complaint count is close to a typical Roadmaster model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
52
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
33
Worst area
Steering
Fuel economy
18mpg

The worst 1996 Buick Roadmaster problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Steering
    8
  • Engine
    6
  • Suspension
    6
  • Brakes
    5
  • Electrical
    5

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Steering
    8
  • Engine
    6
  • Suspension
    6
  • Brakes
    5
  • Electrical
    5
  • Acceleration
    4
  • Fuel system
    4
  • Tires
    4
  • Visibility
    4
  • Body
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Lights
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Seat belts
    1

Recalls 2

Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studsReported December 10, 1996 · 21,582 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
Dealers will tighten the vehicle's wheel lug nuts to the proper specification.

Recall number 96V245000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported November 3, 1995 · 8,946 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 95V215000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster

Defect investigations

Rear wheel separationOpened May 31, 1996, closed December 24, 1996

Gm notified odi that they are conducting a recall to retorque the wheel lug nuts on vehicles built between august and september of 1995.it is anticipated that most vehicles will require the wheel lug nuts to be retorqued to 135 n.m(100 lb. Ft.).customers who have had all four of their tires and wheels rotated should have properly torqued lug nuts.however, gm is offering customers who have had their tires and wheels rotated the option of returning to their dealer for this repair or completing and returning an owner reply card included with their recall notice.this engineering analysis is closed.

EA96007

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster 33

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 33 bulletins for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster

1996 Buick Roadmaster fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
5.7L 8‑cylRWD152418

What 1996 Buick Roadmaster owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 2, 2021 · Steering · 137,831 miles · NC

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.

Filed Dec 8, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 165,983 miles · TX

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 turn over as it did before I have changed the distributior cap spark plugs and wires complete oil change engine transaction transfer case oil in the rear axel and oxygen sensors and the car is still haveing trouble to turn and stay on just in idel and on top of that the cluster doesn't not mark my speed and the gas meter is more or less a quarter off marking I have more then what I do have

Filed Dec 10, 2007 · Steering · 20,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Suspension · 202,550 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jul 5, 2006 · Fuel system · 56,600 miles · MA

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. On 6/27 and related this safety concern and also sent an e-mail to them on their website offering to send pictures of this part. As of today, 7/6/06, I had not heard from anyone so I called again. I emphasized my concerns again and also requested to be compensated for this repair as I felt this was not a normal wear and tear problem, but a defect problem. I was told that the vehicle was too old. I told them that I did not realize there was a time limit on people's safety and well being. I also told them that I was disappointed that no one at gm was interested in seeing this part or pictures. They could be relying on the fact that the gas tank is under a vacuum, but in this case, the pump was actually smoldering and if I had happened to stop and get gas while this was smoldering and removed the gas cap and added the third element, oxygen, there very well could have been a fire or explosion. This is an original gm part and I find it hard to believe that gm has no interest in this matter. The original mileage should be a factor, not just the year. Customer relations told me they would send me in writing their refusal to assist me with any compensation for the repair. What bothers me the most is their lack of concern for other people's safety.

Filed May 2, 2006 · Suspension · 84,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 8, 2005 · Transmission · 142,000 miles · VA

Since new this 1996 buick roadmaster station wagon has had 4 transmissions installed in it. This particular car has the factory installed 5000lb tow package. This car uses the gm, 4l60e, 4 speed, electronic transmission. According to the original owner, the 4l60e transmission went out when it only had roughly 40,000 miles on it. He told me the 2nd transmission went out 40,000miles after it was installed. The previous owner told me he had the 3rd transmission installed when the car had 85,000 miles on it. I bought the car with 119,000 miles on the odometer, and the 3rd transmission failed when the car had 142,000 miles on it. The 4l60e transmission is a very poor transmission for the task assigned. The car already weighs 4500lbs and is rated to tow 5000 more lbs. Making up roughly a 10,000lb platform. This transmission fails in many, many vehicles it was installed in regardless of purpose, use, or care.

Filed Jan 13, 2005 · Electrical · 507 miles · MA

Vehicle is experiencing problems with the auto door locks, and the courtesy lights. Owner has contacted the manufacturer who says there is nothing they can do. Provide further details.

Filed Feb 21, 2004 · Tires · CA

I acquired a car with four new tires arizonian r/s,a/s. The tires say traction a temperature b wear 360. Utqg grading says traction b temperarure c wear 240. Why such a variance? I would never run a tire with your grading. I feel weary unsafe.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · NC

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

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Questions about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster

Is the 1996 Buick Roadmaster reliable?

Owners have filed 52 complaints about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster, close to a typical Roadmaster model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Buick Roadmaster?

Steering, with 8 complaints. Next is engine (6).

How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster have?

2 recalls, covering wheels and air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Buick Roadmaster range from 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.7L 8-cyl, RWD) gets 15 city and 24 highway.

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