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1996 Buick Roadmaster

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Roadmaster.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1996 Buick Roadmaster is a full-size passenger car paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission, its 5-quart oil capacity spec'd at 10W-30 API pointing to a substantial powertrain that returns EPA ratings of 15 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined. With 60 owner complaints on record — led by steering issues and backed by 2 recalls — the 1996 model year falls well below the 1994 peak of 134 complaints across the 1991–1999 model run, yet it sits a comfortable distance from the 1999 low of just 1, indicating the Roadmaster was on a clear reliability upswing as it approached the end of its production life.

Model year1996 1995 1994 1993 1992

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy15/24/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12737090. Note the factory fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire sizeSedan P235-70R15; WAGON P225-75R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	12737090
Engine air filter	19259030
Fuel filter	25121978 discontinued
Spark plug	19301813
Front wiper blades	25689175 discontinued
Serpentine belt	19244956
Thermostat	12555290 alt 12551507

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	215.7 in
Overall width	78 in
Overall height	55.9 in
Wheelbase	116.1 in
Curb weight	4211 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 60.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	15 / 24 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	114 cu ft
Cargo volume	21 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular 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

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1995	Limited Sedan 5.7L V8	6.70 sec	15.00 sec	260 hp	RWD
1994	Limited Sedan 5.7L V8	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	260 hp	RWD
1991	Limited Sedan 5.7L V8	9.30 sec	17.20 sec	180 hp	RWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt of 10W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 16 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil	10W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)	18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	74 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	35 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	26 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	16 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	13 ft-lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts	9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug	26 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission	16 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts	100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	35 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub Bearing Housing Bolts	12 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub Bearing Housing Bolts	16 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Spark Plug Manufacturer	AC Delco
Spark Plug Gap	0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque	20.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75-2.00 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Capacity	8.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	181-212 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)	40-47
RPM	30.5-44 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance	11.8-12.6 na ohms
Engine Compression	100

Brakes

Minimum Pad Thickness

Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 mi	Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 7,500 mi	Brake System (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Hood Hinge (lubricate) · Hood Latch (lubricate)
Every 15,000 mi	Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (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.

Across the Buick Roadmaster generation, federal complaints and recalls peaked dramatically in 1994 with 134 complaints and five recalls, before beginning a downward trend. The 1996 target year continues this declining arc, dropping to 60 complaints and just two recalls, down from 70 complaints and five recalls in 1995. Notably, 1996 saw TSBs reach their generation apex at 37, indicating that by this point in the lifecycle, most manufacturer issues were thoroughly documented and addressed. The 1996 model's complaints are evenly distributed across steering, suspension, electrical, and engine cooling with five each, though the data does not specify the root causes for these areas. With only three crash complaints, one fire complaint, and significantly fewer recalls than the preceding years, the 1996 Roadmaster's position at the mature, stabilized end of the generation arc makes it a favorable year to purchase.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95’96’99

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 60 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering5

Suspension5

Electrical System5

Engine & Engine Cooling5

Visibility5

Service Brakes, Hydraulic5

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Tires4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

96V245000Wheels:Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/StudsReported 10/12/1996

THE WHEEL LUG NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION DURING ASSEMBLY. Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL LUG NUTS TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

95V215000Air BagsReported 03/11/1995

THESE VEHICLES WERE SHIPPED WITH BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT CAUTION LABEL AND A ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO.208… Remedy: A NEW ROOF RACK CAUTION LABEL, WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO OWNERS. OWNERS WILL INSTALL THE LABEL OR HAVE THEIR DEALER INSTALL THE LABEL FOR THEM.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 37 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
PIP4723F	2022-01-14	Service Brakes, Hydraulic	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIP4723D	2020-01-31	Electrical System	This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
19NA273	2019-12-02	Electrical System	This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Procedures to…
PIC4696E	2019-11-22	Equipment	This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
17NA073	2019-09-18	Equipment	This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…

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.

Group 78 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt Engine oil filter 12737090 Engine air filter 19259030 Fuel filter 25121978 Spark plug 19301813

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1996 Roadmaster take?

5 qt of 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1996 Roadmaster have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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 / 24 highway / 18 combined mpg.