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FaultScore report

1993 Buick Roadmaster problems

Owners have filed 65 complaints about the 1993 Buick Roadmaster with NHTSA between 1995 and 2014. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Buick Roadmaster All 1993 cars
D

FaultScore 62/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Roadmaster.

How this is worked out

The numbers

65

Complaints

13

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

10

Injuries reported

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 39 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure not reported
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 39
Against the median year of the Buick Roadmaster. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
36.9% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.

How 1993 compares with every other Buick Roadmaster

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1993 Buick Roadmaster

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 9 13.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Airbags 9 13.8%

8 crashes, 0 fires

Brakes 8 12.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Suspension 7 10.8%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 125,000 mi

Seat Belts 5 7.7%
Steering 4 6.2%
Engine & Cooling 4 6.2%

0 crashes, 1 fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control 3 4.6%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Transmission & Drivetrain 3 4.6%
Other & Unspecified 2 3.1%
Doors, Latches & Locks 2 3.1%
Body & Structure 2 3.1%
Electrical System 2 3.1%
Equipment & Accessories 1 1.5%

Median failure at 135,000 miles

Seats 1 1.5%
Tires 1 1.5%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.5%
Lights 1 1.5%

1 crashes, 0 fires

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Frontal 8 29.6%
Windshield 4 14.8%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 4 14.8%
Retractor 3 11.1%
Fluid 2 7.4%
Gasoline 2 7.4%
Engine 2 7.4%
Control ARM 2 7.4%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Feb 1995 peak 6 Jul 2014

Recalls on the 1993 Buick Roadmaster

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

07E088000

EQUIPMENT

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 AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.

Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 115,000 miles Charlottesville, VA Crash

SUSPENSION

BUICK ROADMASTER SEDAN TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A CLEAR DRY DAY ON A PAVED SMOOTH ROAD AROUND A CURVE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEVERED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO A LARGE YARD. THE BALL JOINT WAS FROM A FOREIGN MANUFACTURER. AS A RESULT, ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGH QUALITY PARTS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR PROBLEM OR POSSIBLE RECALL ON BALL JOINT UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #10610225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA 1 injured

TIRES

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BUMPER,FRONT FENDER,WINDSHIELD AND BODY, CONSUMER HAD MINOR INJURIES. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)(NO TIRE INFOR WAS GIVEN)

NHTSA complaint #562925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, MS Crash

AIR BAGS

NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG DURING COLLISION.

NHTSA complaint #505588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, MS Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE HIT A TREE AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #985481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grand Isla, NE Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #488028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA complaint #976171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 115,000 miles Charlottesville, VA Crash

SUSPENSION

BUICK ROADMASTER SEDAN TRAVELING AT 30 MPH ON A CLEAR DRY DAY ON A PAVED SMOOTH ROAD AROUND A CURVE, THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEVERED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO A LARGE YARD. THE BALL JOINT WAS FROM A FOREIGN MANUFACTURER. AS A RESULT, ALL FOUR BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGH QUALITY PARTS AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR PROBLEM OR POSSIBLE RECALL ON BALL JOINT UNIT.

NHTSA complaint #10610225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Hurricane, WV

SUSPENSION:FRONT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON EQUIPPED WITH A FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT (N/A). HE WAS TOWING A TRAILER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMPY SURFACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. UPON EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #10361741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Hurricane, WV

EQUIPMENT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 BUICK ROADMASTER ESTATE WAGON EQUIPPED WITH A FOREIGN PARTS DISTRIBUTION LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT (N/A). HE WAS TOWING A TRAILER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH WHEN HE DROVE OVER A BUMPY SURFACE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. UPON EXAMINATION HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BALL JOINT SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

NHTSA complaint #10361741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pike, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. TECHNICIAN SERVICED VEHICLE, REPLACED THE BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO CORROSION.

NHTSA complaint #10033987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palm Springs, FL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING, AND WINDSHIELD HAD NOT BEEN TAMPERED WITH.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8013701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pittsburgh, PA 1 injured

TIRES

THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING DAMAGE TO BUMPER,FRONT FENDER,WINDSHIELD AND BODY, CONSUMER HAD MINOR INJURIES. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)(NO TIRE INFOR WAS GIVEN)

NHTSA complaint #562925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belleville, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES EXCESSIVELY HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS, HEATER OR A/C ARE ON, THE HORN ACTIVATES WHILE DRIVING, THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A MINUTE IT RESTARTS, THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE TEST TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERSN. NLM

NHTSA complaint #564279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Barnes, WI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL STIFFENS AND VEHICLE KEEPS GOING. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, BUT CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. ALSO ABS LIGHT COMES ON.

NHTSA complaint #8006307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belleville, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE LIGHT SWITCH BECOMES EXCESSIVELY HOT WHEN THE LIGHTS, HEATER OR A/C ARE ON, THE HORN ACTIVATES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE POWER WINDOWS DO NOT OPERATE BECAUSE THE MAIN FUSE HAD FALLEN OUT, THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING BUT ONCE THE VEHICLE SITS FOR A MINUTE IT RESTARTS, THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE TESTS TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMERS CONCERNS. NLM THE DOORS DO NOT LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. HEATER COMES ON WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #564279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND THE BALL JOINTS FAILED/ STABILIZER LINKS AND CENTER LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #898990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

STEERING:LINKAGES

FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND THE BALL JOINTS FAILED/ STABILIZER LINKS AND CENTER LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #898990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND THE BALL JOINTS FAILED/ STABILIZER LINKS AND CENTER LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #898990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR

FRONT INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS AND THE BALL JOINTS FAILED/ STABILIZER LINKS AND CENTER LINKS WERE WORN OUT, AND IDLER ARM WAS LOOSE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #898990 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oklahoma City, OK

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHEN SHIFTING INTO EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE LOUD POPPING NOISES. PROBLEM OF NOISE COULD NOT BE LOCATED.

NHTSA complaint #893311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oklahoma City, OK

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. WOULD ALSO FEEL LIKE IT WAS SLIDING OFF THE FRAME. PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC REPLACED CONTROL ARM SHAFT BOLT. BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST 3 TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #893312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE EBCM UNIT FOR THE ABS FAILED PREMATURELY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #560037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT IN 1997. DEALER SAID CONSUMER NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION.*AK *SLC

NHTSA complaint #881601 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plattsburgh, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR 3 PT. SAFETY BELT CAME OUT COMPLETELY AND WILL NOT RETRACT. THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM APPEARS TO BE BROKEN.

NHTSA complaint #740965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Burn, NC

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

TOOK VEHICLE TO GAS STATION & FILLED TANK WITH FUEL. NOTICED, AFTER PAYING FOR GAS, THAT IT WAS LEAKING. CHECKED UNDERNEATH AT FUEL TANK & NOTICED A BUBBLE WHERE IT WAS LEAKING. THE FUEL TANK WAS MADE OF PLASTIC & WAS BLACK. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK FUEL TANK.

NHTSA complaint #853293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mishawaka, IN

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTING MECHANISM, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #835513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Howes CAV, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER ARM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, DRIVER HEARD A FUNNY NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE WENT TO THE GROUND BECAUSE THE UPPER CONTROL ARM MOUNTING BOLTS BROKE IN TWO PIECES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARGAGE AND THE MOUNTING BOLTS WERE REPLACED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #827491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #702203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #702203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #702203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pasadena, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE FAILURE WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO WARNING BUT PROBLEM SELF CORRECTED EACH TIME AFTER STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #702203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.