AI DamageBuick Skyhawk: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Buick Skyhawk across 8 model years: 14 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 21% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 14% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 14% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 5 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (21% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Tires: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Visibility: 2 complaints (14% of all).
- Latches, locks, linkages: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1986
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1984–1986
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1989
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1987
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1989
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1987
- manual, 5-speed 1984–1989
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Consumer was traveling under five miles . While coming into parking lot she was braking to park and vehicle shot off like a bullet.
The contact stated that the vehicle would stall whenever it came to a stop. The vehicle would only restart once the engine was cooled down. The contact was advised by a dealer to un plug a four pronged connecter that leads to the transmission to prevent the failure.
When it rains vehicle would leak, causing severe water damage throughout the vehicle. Consumer will be taking the vehicle to the dealership for analysis.
The consumer is concern when there is inclement weather. Water comes in though the windshield causing water inside of the vehicle. The dealership is aware of the problem. Ts
There was a recall on power operated windows. Consumer took vehicle in for recall repairs, and three years later problem reoccurred.
She saw smoke inside of car, and pulled over. Fire started in turn signal inside of trunk area. Dealership will be notified.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.