1996 Buick Roadmaster
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 11 of 52 complaints (21%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 50 in 1995 to 52 in 1996.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | vs. 1996 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450 | 3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 18 | 18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 23 | 15 / 24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494 | 494 | |
| Complaints filed | 50 | 52 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1996 Buick Roadmaster?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 11 of 52 NHTSA complaints (21%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1996 Buick Roadmaster get?
EPA rates it 18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1996 Buick Roadmaster?
EPA estimates $3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 8 | 5.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize-Large Station Wagons | 15 mpg | 24 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS · Campaign 96V245000 · Dec 19, 1996
Defect: THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY.
Consequence: 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.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 95V215000 · Nov 9, 1995
Defect: 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."
Consequence: 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.