AI Damage1993 Buick Skylark: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Buick Skylark filed 46 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 46
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 9% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 9% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 7% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 10 complaints (22% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (13% of all).
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (9% of all).
- Steering: 4 complaints (9% 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
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 46 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 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.
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.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at an impact of 40-45 mph, and driver's air bag failed to deploy. Dealer notified.
The vehicle's defective driver's seatback collapsed backwards after being rearended by another vehicle going about 40+mph. Driver sustained injuries.
Sudden acceleration, caused loss of control/accident/injuries.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated upon shifting from neutral to drive crashing into another car/embankment and building, resulting in an accident/injuries. Tt
Vehicle stalled while driving in traffic. The vehicle was inspected by a mechanic but he was unable to duplicate the problem.
Vehicle was taken to a dealer, and fuel pump was replaced. But consumer was still having the same problem with the vehicle shutting off on the middle of the street or the highway with no warning at all.
Consumer states that when turning the keys in the ignition, vehicle hestiages to turn over, and consumer has too turn keys several times, which result in keys getting hot. Please provide information. Mr
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 5,571 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Skylark has 28 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 46, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
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 199138 sources
- Skylark 199232 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 1993 Buick Skylark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, engine and cooling, powertrain. Total complaints: 46. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: stalls while driving (9%), overheating, coolant loss (4%), seat belts (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 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 1993 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 1993 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.