BuickRoadmaster1992Overview/buick/roadmaster/1992/base/

1992 Buick Roadmaster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 Roadmaster.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1992 Buick Roadmaster comes with an automatic four‑speed transmission and an engine that requires four quarts of 5W‑30 API oil, delivering EPA estimates of 15 city, 23 highway and 18 combined mpg. Owner‑reported issues total 91, the most frequent being service‑brake hydraulic problems, and the model was subject to four recalls. Across the 1991‑1999 production span, complaint counts peaked at 134 in 1994 and fell to just one in 1999, positioning the 1992 version toward the lower‑end of that range. Consequently, the 1992 Roadmaster reflects relatively modest complaint activity compared with its later siblings, suggesting a generally more dependable early‑generation example.

Model year19961995199419931992

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 12708762. Note the factory engine air filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12708762
Engine air filter25097919 discontinued
Fuel filter25121468
Spark plug19302741
Front wiper blades25689175 discontinued
Serpentine belt10208364 discontinued
Thermostat10207373 alt 10105135

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length215.7 in
Overall width78 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase115.7 in
Curb weight4061 lb
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume116 cu ft
Cargo volume20 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Roadmaster of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.7–9.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.70 sec — 1995 Limited Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1991Limited Sedan 5.7L V89.30 sec17.20 sec180 hpRWD
1994Limited Sedan 5.7L V87.80 sec16.00 sec260 hpRWD
1995Limited Sedan 5.7L V86.70 sec15.00 sec260 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity4.3 qt
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidUSE GM PART NO. 1052884 OR EQUIVALENT

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 7,500 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Throttle Body (torque) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Parking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Shift Linkage (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
Every 15,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · EGR System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Fluid & Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1992 Buick Roadmaster experienced a significant surge in federal complaints, rising to 91 from only 9 in 1991. For the target year, the primary complaint areas were Service Brakes Hydraulic (21), Seat Belts (11), Engine & Engine Cooling (9), and Air Bags (9), alongside 18 crash complaints and one fire complaint. Across the generation, complaints remained volatile, peaking in 1994 with 134 reports before declining toward 1999. The 1992 model year represents a sharp inflection point in this trend, seeing an increase in both recalls and investigations compared to the preceding year. Because this year marks the onset of a spike in reported issues, particularly regarding braking and safety restraints, it is not the ideal year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
5
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
91
Owner complaints
18 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic21
Seat Belts11
Engine & Engine Cooling9
Air Bags9
Structure7
Power Train7
Equipment4
Vehicle Speed Control3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

07E088000EquipmentReported 24/10/2007

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… 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.

92V094000Seat BeltsReported 01/07/1992

THE SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOP PLASTIC COVERING MAY CRACK AND EXPOSE THE STEEL SUB-PLATE. Remedy: INSTALL NEW SHOULDER BELT GUIDE LOOPS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1300890092013-09-01Engine And Engine CoolingExpanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules
020730024A2005-08-01Power TrainDIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY…
7390141997-06-01Unknown Or OtherDOORS LOCK/UNLOCK ERRATICALLY WHEN USING REMOTE TRANSMITTER (INSTALL NEW REMOTE DOOR/REAR…
438206A1995-06-01VisibilityUNKNOWN
4382061994-12-01VisibilityWIPER CHATTER DURING COLD WEATHER. *TW

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Roadmaster. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1992 Roadmaster take?

4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1992 Roadmaster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Roadmaster get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.