Model year guide

1994 Buick Roadmaster

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1994 Buick Roadmaster is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1994 Buick Roadmaster — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1994 Buick Roadmaster at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints134
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1994 Buick Roadmaster recalls 5

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint NHTSA Campaign #96V019000 · 30/01/1996

DEFECTIVE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT ATTACHMENT NUTS WERE NOT PROPERLY TORQUED AND CAN LOOSEN.

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.

Vehicle Speed Control:springs NHTSA Campaign #95V082000 · 24/04/1995

THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO FMVSS NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS." AT LOW TEMPERATURES, EXCESSIVE FRICTION CAN OCCUR IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting NHTSA Campaign #94V210000 · 25/10/1994

THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS WERE NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED. THE FASTENERS CAN COMPLETELY DETACH, EVENTUALLY ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO SAG AND THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK TO STRIKE THE ROADWAY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL RETIGHTEN THE FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS.

Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs NHTSA Campaign #94V076000 · 16/04/1994

PAINT ON THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES CAN ACT AS A SHIM BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE ROTOR/DRUM. AS THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN, THE WHEEL IMBEDS INTO THE PAINT, LOOSENING THE LUG NUT AND CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMP LOAD.

Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE WHEEL MOUNTING SURFACES FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALSO, THE WHEEL STUDS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND WILL BE REPLACED AS NECESSARY.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings NHTSA Campaign #94V049000 · 21/03/1994

THE ENGINE OIL COOLER INLET HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED TOO CLOSE TO THE STEERING GEAR CAUSING CHAFING. THE CHAFING CAN EVENTUALLY WEAR THROUGH THE HOSE'S PROTECTIVE SLEEVE RESULTING IN ENGINE OIL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1994 Buick Roadmaster common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.

1994 Buick Roadmaster safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1994 Buick Roadmaster 4-DR.. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1994 Buick Roadmaster MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550
EPA size classLarge Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Passenger volume114 cu ft
Cargo volume21 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$10,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1994 Buick Roadmaster costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
215.7–217.7 in
Width
78.0–79.9 in
Height
55.9–60.2 in
Wheelbase
116.1 in
Curb weight
4,191–4,572 lb
Front track
61.8–62.2 in
Rear track
60.6–64.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1994 Buick Roadmaster — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 18

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 18.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696E · Equipment · Nov 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco TheftLock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve the…

Bulletin PIC4696D · Equipment · Sep 2019

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how to unlock radios that are Delco Theft Lock. Technician will use the radio to get the scrambled code. Technician will need to contact the radio unlock center to retrieve th…

Bulletin PIC4696C · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · May 2018

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Bulletin 130089009 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2013

INFORMATION REGARDING SWITCHES TO TURN OFF AND ON FRONTAL AIR BAGS FOR PASSENGER CARS AND TRUCKS. *TT

Bulletin 990941004 · Air Bags · Jan 2000

GENERAL MOTORS BEGAN PROVIDING CHILD RESTRAIN SEAT TOP TETHER HARDWARE PACKAGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE UNITED STATES WHO REQUESTED THEM. *TT

Bulletin 990940004 · Seats · Jan 2000

THIS BULLETIN INFORMS DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THE TRAP RESISTANT REAR COMPARTMENT (TRUNK) KIT. *TT

Bulletin 990866002A · Latches/locks/linkages · Jan 2000

SOME VEHICLES EXPERIENCE ENGINE MISS/ POOR DRIVEABILITY SYMPTOMS. *YC

Bulletin 876527 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 1998

EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT STEERING COLUMN SNAP OR CLICK NOISE WHEN TURNING. *YC

Bulletin 9709013202B · Steering · Sep 1997

EXPERIENCING ENGINE NOISE. *YC

Bulletin 9709016114B · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 1997

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the ROADMASTER. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1994 Buick Roadmaster. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

Certain vehicles do not comply with CMVSS 124 - Accelerator Control Systems. At low temperatures there may be excessive movement friction in the accelerator pedal assembly. In the event of a failure of a throttle return spring the engine speed may not decrease to the level anticipated by the driver when the foot is lifted from the accelerator pedal. Loss of accelerator control…

Transport Canada #1995074 · Apr 1995

Fuel System

THE FUEL TANK ATTACHMENT STRAP FASTENERS ARE BELOW THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. THESE LOOSE FASTENERS COULD, IN TIME, BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED. THIS COULD ALLOW THE FUEL TANK TO SAG DOWN TO THE POINT OF STRIKING SOMETHING IN THE ROAD OR THE ROAD SURFACE RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK AND AN UNDER-VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: FUEL TANK STRAP FASTENERS WILL BE TORQUED TO THE PROPER SP…

Transport Canada #1994170 · Nov 1994

Engine

On certain vehicles, the engine oil cooler inlet hose may contact the steering gear and wear through. This could allow engine oil to leak onto hot engine components and cause an engine compartment fire. Correction: Oil cooler hose will be repositioned and inspected. If wear is evident, the hose will be replaced.

Transport Canada #1994064 · Mar 1994

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Buick Roadmaster

The Buick Roadmaster is an automobile built by Buick in three distinct periods: 1936 through 1942; 1946 through 1958; and 1991 through 1996. Roadmasters produced between 1936 and 1958 were built on Buick's longest non-limousine wheelbase and shared their basic structure with the entry-level Cadillac Series 65, the upscale Buick Limited, and, after 1940, the Oldsmobile 98. Between 1946 and 1957, the Roadmaster served as Buick's flagship.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1994 Buick Roadmaster trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl

1994 Buick Roadmaster vehicles on record

Other Buick Roadmaster model years

1994 Buick Roadmaster — frequently asked questions

Does the 1994 Buick Roadmaster have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1994 Buick Roadmaster. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1994 Buick Roadmaster?

Across all 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, hydraulic, service brakes.

What is the 1994 Buick Roadmaster safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1994 Buick Roadmaster crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1994 Buick Roadmaster get?

The 1994 Buick Roadmaster has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.