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Buick SkyhawkYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 14 owner complaints and 17 safety recalls on record for the Buick Skyhawk.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints14Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls171975–1993 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Buick Skyhawk years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Skyhawk median. Tap a year for its full report.

'75'76'78'79'82'83'84'85'86'87'89'91'92'93
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
1993Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1989Not rated–/1003 complaints · 1 recall1987Not rated–/1003 complaints · 2 recalls1986Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 4 recalls1982Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1976Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1975Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Buick Skyhawk problems

All model years combined: 14 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system32
Power train20
Visibility20
Tires20
Steering10
Structure10
Latches/locks/linkages10
Vehicle speed control11
Service brakes, hydraulic10
17 recalls

Buick Skyhawk recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Storage: tank assembly88V-189 · 1989 · Dec 6, 1988 · 13,095 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap87V-184 · 1987 · Dec 1, 1987 · 131,476 vehicles–Emission control: crankcase (pcv)87V-165 · 1983 · Oct 26, 1987 · 126,319 vehicles–Seats87V-079 · 1983–1984 · May 7, 1987 · 1,136,407 vehicles–Conventional: mechanical86V-128 · 1987 · Sep 15, 1986 · 1,470 vehicles–Engine and engine cooling: engine86V-073 · 1985 · May 28, 1986 · 87,174 vehicles–Exterior lighting85V-149 · 1986 · Nov 18, 1985 · 4,036 vehicles–Front assembly: recliner84V-011 · 1984 · Feb 6, 1984 · 76,586 vehicles–Foundation components: differential proportional valve83V-105 · 1983 · Oct 13, 1983 · 352,036 vehicles–Fuel injection system: injectors82V-096 · 1983 · Oct 7, 1982 · 12,721 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap82V-021 · 1982 · Mar 8, 1982 · 519,329 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings79V-151 · 1979 · Jun 13, 1979 · 42,977 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 17 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

13 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Skyhawk

  1. BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA90041 · 1987–1988 · closed Mar 30, 1992
    No recall
  2. ENGINE COMPARTMEMT FIREPE90070 · 1985 · closed Jul 25, 1990
    No recall
  3. STOP LAMPSPE89035 · 1988 · closed May 24, 1989
    No recall
  4. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · 1987–1988 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  5. POOR BRAKINGPE88085 · 1987–1988 · closed Jan 17, 1989
    No recall
  6. HEADLAMP SWITCH FAILUREPE88027 · 1984–1985 · closed May 11, 1988
    No recall
  7. SUDDEN ACCELEA87007 · 1982–1985 · closed Aug 7, 1987
    No recall
  8. POWER ST. ASSISTEA87006 · 1981–1986 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  9. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP86019 · 1982–1985 · closed Dec 22, 1986
    No recall
  10. SEAT TRACK LOCKEA86023 · 1983–1984 · closed Jun 1, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-079