AI Damage1991 Buick Skylark reliability: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Buick Skylark filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 38
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 18% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 11% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 6 Seat belts 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 5% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 11 complaints (29% of all).
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (18% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 7 complaints (18% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 4 complaints (11% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 3 complaints (8% of all).
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 38 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Seats | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 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.
Vehicle was in a left rear end collision. The driver side seat reclined backward upon impact. This vehicle is not equipped with reclining seats. This resulted in the driver having neck and eye injuries. This could of caused injuries to the passenger also, but the seat was occupied at the time of the accident.
While pulling out of parking lot & shifting into drive, tapped on gas pedal, vehicle accelerated & hit another vehicle. Shifted into reverse & it accelerated backwards & hit another vehicle. Skylark was declared totaled. Possibly due to computer failure/defect.
On 2/28/99 I was stopped at a traffic light when hit from behind by a car going about 50 mph. My "the drivers seat" gave way slamming me down flat. I was unconsceous for about a minute and parilized for about 1/2 hour. I have severe problems with my head , neck,and upper back areas.
The driver's seatbelt did not restrain the occupant during a rearend collision, also cruise control linkage disconnected due to sudden acceleration and lock on driver's side would not release, driver had to climb to other side to open driver's door.
While driving 55 mph passenger side tire tread came off and cracked the windshield. Consumer lossed control of vehicle. Dealer notified.
When putting down the drivers side automatic window, the window at times will not come back up. Took to mechanic and they put on a 4 way switch thats used to let down all 4 windows. That didn't solve the problem. Took back to dealer and they stated its the motor in the door. Please provide any further information. Ts
When turning vehicle on it will accelerate and move forward whether the brakes are applied or not. Consumer states the vehicle moves forward at a high rate of speed, dealer could not find anything wrong.
While driving for an extend period of time and at highway speeds, vehicle stalls unexpectedly which may cause a crash. Occurred 5 times. Dealer cannot determine the cause.
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 6,096 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 17% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Skylark has 28 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 38, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
- Skylark 19823 sources
- Skylark 19848 sources
- Skylark 19856 sources
- Skylark 19868 sources
- Skylark 198814 sources
- Skylark 19894 sources
- Skylark 199019 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 1991 Buick Skylark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, vehicle speed control. Total complaints: 38. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), engine failure or replacement (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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 2026-11-06.