1989 Buick Roadmaster problems

Common 1989 Buick Roadmaster problems

The Buick Roadmaster from 1989 is known for its comfortable and quiet highway cruising experience, but like any other car, it has its own set of common problems based on complaints from owners.

• Electrical problems: Another common issue with the 1989 Buick Roadmaster is electrical problems, such as inoperative turn signals, which are probably due to a bad flasher relay and not bulbs as the seller states. This issue might be due to worn-out or damaged wiring, switches, or relays in the car's electrical system.

• Tire and suspension issues: Some Roadmaster owners have reported a wobble at higher speeds, which might be related to the woefully inappropriate all-terrain tires it wears. New shoes might improve its highway manners a great deal. This issue might be due to improper tire selection, worn-out suspension components, or misalignment of the wheels.

• Fuel injection system issues: The 1986 Buick Riviera, which shares the same platform as the Roadmaster, had a problem with its 3.8-liter V-6 engine randomly stalling, even at highway speeds. The problem was traced to the engine’s fuel injection system, which cost GM $303 per car to fix. This issue might be due to a similar fuel injection system in the Roadmaster, which could cause similar problems if not properly maintained.

• Touchscreen infotainment system issues: The 1986 Riviera was the first car to be fitted with a touchscreen infotainment system. However, the technology sales pitch wasn’t enough to overcome the elephant in the room: the $19,831 Riviera looked nearly identical to the smaller $9425 Somerset Regal, despite being 7.2 inches longer, 5.1 inches wider, and 1.5 inches taller. This issue might be due to similar touchscreen infotainment systems in the Roadmaster, which could cause similar problems if not properly maintained.

In conclusion, the 1989 Buick Roadmaster is known for its comfortable and quiet highway cruising experience, but like any other car, it has its own set of common problems based on complaints from owners. These problems include brake issues, electrical problems, tire and suspension issues, fuel injection system issues, and touchscreen infotainment system issues. Proper maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent or mitigate these problems, ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience.

What year was the best Buick Roadmaster?

1994-1996

The 260-horsepower LT1 offered in the 1994-1996 model years offer the most coveted powerplant. Yep, that's the Buick wagon with the “Corvette motor,” albeit detuned to produce less horsepower with iron heads and a two-bolt main.

What kind of motor is in a Roadmaster?

The Roadmaster comes with a 5.7-liter fuel injected V-8 that provides 180 horsepower. The car may be big and heavy, but it is not slow. There's plenty of muscle for passing and plenty for gaining speed to merge onto busy highways.

How fast can a Buick Roadmaster go?

This contributed in conjunction with the now-standard Dynaflow in giving the new Buicks a top speed of 110 mph (177 km/h).

Did the Buick Roadmaster come with an LT1?

Each and every 1994, 1995 and 1996 example of the Roadmaster Estate came standard with the same 5.7L LT1 V8 engine found under the hood of the Chevrolet Corvette, as well as the Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird F-body twins.

What year was the best Buick Roadmaster?

1994-1996

The 260-horsepower LT1 offered in the 1994-1996 model years offer the most coveted powerplant. Yep, that's the Buick wagon with the “Corvette motor,” albeit detuned to produce less horsepower with iron heads and a two-bolt main.

What engine is in a Roadmaster?

The Roadmaster was introduced in a year when Buick's overhead valve straight-eight engines were heavily revised. Buick reduced the number of engines from four sizes to two: a 233 cu in (3.8 L), 93 hp (69 kW; 94 PS) version for the Special, and a 320.2 cu in (5.2 L), 120 hp (89 kW; 122 PS) engine for the other series.

When did Buick stop making the Roadmaster?

An anachronism when new, the final Buick Roadmaster wagon (1991–1996) arrived more than a decade into an era of downsized cars with understated exteriors. It sported skirted fenders, woodgrain paneling, and three rows of seats.

What car replaced the Buick Roadmaster?

The first Roadmaster wagon was introduced in 1947 but the body style was discontinued in 1953 as the last wood-bodied wagon mass-produced in the U.S. From 1959 to its revival in 1990, the Roadmaster was replaced by the Electra.

1989 Buick Roadmaster car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Buick Roadmaster problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Suspension problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Buick Roadmaster vehicle components and the number of complaints received.