AI Damage1994 Buick Skylark: common problems
Owners of the 1994 Buick Skylark filed 68 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 68
- involving a crash
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 19% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 16% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 7% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 4% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 17 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 13 complaints (19% of all).
- Electrical system: 12 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 11 complaints (16% of all).
- Air bags: 6 complaints (9% of all), 5 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
- 3.1 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 68 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 | 17 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 12 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 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.
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.
Consumer had a front impact crash at 35 mph, and drivers airbag did not deploy. Consumer suffered knee and back injuries, and vehicle was totalled.
When vehicle is put in drive and lightly touched the accelerator, vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high rate of speed on its own. The manufacturer has been notified.
During frontal impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy. Speed unknown.
During frontal impact, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.
After sitting for 2 days it would not start. Had car battery jumped 3 times. Between 01/ 2013 and 02/ 10/2013. Battery completely dead on 02/11/2013. Was put on slow charge and ran for another 2 days and died again. Took battery back to national auto on 02/17/2013.
Tilt steering wheel assembly failed and steering wheel became detached from the steering column. Upon further inspection the pins came out of the assembly and the assembly shows extreme wear where the pins should insert. Pins cannot be reinstalled. Requires replacement of steering column.
It developed a coolant leak. I had the heater core replaced on advise of a mechanic that until recently was at a gm dealership. It still leaked when the engine was cold. It was then determined that it was the water pump so I had that replaced. It still leaked.
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 4,491 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 12% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Skylark has 28 complaints (19 years in the data). This year has 68, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- 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.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
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 199346 sources
- Skylark 199585 sources
- Skylark 199685 sources
- Skylark 199779 sources
- Skylark 199824 sources
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Buick Skylark?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 68. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (9%), airbags did not deploy (7%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1994 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 1994 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 1994 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.