VehicleVerdict

1992 Buick Roadmaster problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 105 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Roadmaster year — the 1992 model ranks #2 of 9 Roadmaster years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 27 reports (26% of the total).

105

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Roadmaster years?

Roadmaster NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted132 complaints1989: 2 complaints1990: 0 complaints1991: 9 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 65 complaints1994: 132 complaints1995: 76 complaints1996: 62 complaints1999: 1 complaints
Roadmaster NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Roadmaster years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Buick Roadmaster problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes2726%
Seat Belts1110%
Airbags1010%
Engine1010%
Body & Structure99%
Transmission99%
Electrical System77%
Speed Control44%
Visibility & Wipers44%
Suspension33%
Tires & Wheels33%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Other22%
Steering11%
Latches & Locks11%
Lighting11%
Seats11%

Does the 1992 Buick Roadmaster have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E088000OtherOctober 24, 2007 · 121,680 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.

97V217000BrakesNovember 24, 1997 · 56,701 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULATOR CAN CORRODE AND LEAK FLUID FROM THE FRONT BRAKE CIRCUIT.

Consequence

BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN REDUCE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS AND INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE THE ABS MODULATOR.

92V094000Seat BeltsJuly 1, 1992 · 219,571 units

Defect

THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE EXPOSED STEELSUB-PLATE CAN CUT THE SAFETY BELT WEBBING RESULTING IN INCREASED POSSIBILITYAND/OR SEVERITY OF INJURY TO THE AFFECTED SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

91V186000Latches & LocksOctober 29, 1991 · 224,588 units

Defect

SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLIES CAN CORRODE, CAUSING A HIGH LATCH RELEASE EFFORT AND POSSIBLY PREVENTING THE HOOD FROM LATCHING PROPERLY WHEN IT IS CLOSED.

Consequence

IF THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH IS NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED, ANDTHE PRIMARY HOOD LATCH WAS ALSO NOT ENGAGED, THE HOOD COULD OPEN AND CONTACT THEWINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, REDUCING THE FORWARD VISION AREA OFTHE DRIVER AND RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy

INSTALL A NEW SECONDARY HOOD LATCH ASSEMBLY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 BUICK ROADMASTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 16, 2005 · crash

“DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT INTO THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM, CAUSING THE BELT TO BE INOPERATIVE. THE BELTS ARE TOO LOOSE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER HAS YET TO REPLACE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH TREAD SEPERATION OCCURRED ON NEW MICHELIN TIRES PUT ON 7 DAYS BEFORE, CAUSING A 3 VEHICLE NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT. NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS DURING COLLISION. ALL KINDS OF VEHICLE'S SYSTEMS STOPPED TO WORK. *AK ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · May 23, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 29, 2001

“CONSUMER STATED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN SHIFTING GEARS.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVER WHEEL FELL BROKE OFF DUE TO THE NUTS AND BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF, THE BRAKES WENT OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, THE THERMOSTAT WENT OUT, PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 29, 2001

1992 Buick Roadmaster — common questions

Is the 1992 Buick Roadmaster reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 1992 model at #2 of 9 Roadmaster years. It is one of the Roadmaster years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Roadmaster problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (27 complaints), seat belts (11 complaints), engine (10 complaints).

Does the 1992 Buick Roadmaster have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Buick Roadmaster. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Buick Roadmaster under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Buick Roadmaster years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Roadmaster years to avoid are 1994, 1992. The cleanest record among Roadmaster years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.