AI Damage1984 Buick Skylark: common problems
Owners of the 1984 Buick Skylark filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 50% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 38% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 25% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 25% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 8 Parking brake 13% of all complaints
- Steering: 4 complaints (50% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 4-speed
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
During vehicle operation smoke was noticed coming from the dash area, where the heater vents are located, resulting in a fire.
Constant replacemnt of braking system due to wear also, steering vibration at 55mph.
Steering wheel is hard to turn during cold weather until warming of vehicle. Tt
The fuel pump broke spray fuel all on the fan belt the whole engine . Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,896 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Skylark has 28 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other years of this model
- Skylark 19823 sources
- Skylark 19856 sources
- Skylark 19868 sources
- Skylark 198814 sources
- Skylark 19894 sources
- Skylark 199019 sources
- Skylark 199138 sources
- Skylark 199232 sources
- Skylark 199346 sources
- Skylark 199468 sources
- Skylark 199585 sources
- Skylark 199685 sources
- Skylark 199779 sources
- Skylark 199824 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1984 Buick Skylark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (13%), fuel system, fuel smell (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1984 Buick Skylark?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1984 Buick Skylark from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1984 models
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.