AI DamageBuick Skylark: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Buick Skylark across 19 model years: 524 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 17% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 106 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 95 complaints (18% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 91 complaints (17% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 53 complaints (10% of all), 20 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 39 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.3 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1988–1995
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1996–1998
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1991
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1984–1985
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1988
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1994–1998
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1989–1993
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1995
- automatic, 4-speed 1994–1998
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1985
- manual, 5-speed 1988
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 524 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 | 106 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 95 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 91 | 2 | 0 |
| Air bags | 53 | 20 | 0 |
| Steering | 39 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 39 | 12 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 37 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 31 | 4 | 0 |
| Structure | 24 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 23 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 18 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 17 | 7 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Tl* the contact was a passenger in a 1998 buick skylark. While driving approximately 50 mph, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle. The air bags deployed and a police report was filed.
1993 buick skylark defected driver seat recliner assembly. Consumer states that he was involved in an accident which the seat back collapsed. Consumer would like more information of this problem. Use odi # 813444 as a reference.
While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle would not stop. He then applied the emergency brake and it slowed the vehicle down to approximately 40 mph, but did not come to a complete stop.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 25 mph, the vehicle engine hesitated, then stalled completely. The vehicle lost power assist steering, and power assist braking. After being restarted, the vehicle stalled several more times. The vehicle was taken in for ervice.
Vehicle experienced tire tread blow out while driving on the highway. While driving the tread separated from the tire and caused the vehicle to veer off the road onto the right shoulder.
Air bag light illuminated. Dealer found nothing wrong. Vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident which caused vehicle to hit a telephone pole. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. Driver was wearing a seat belt. Driver sustained head and back injuries.
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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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.