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1983 Buick SkyhawkProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1 owner complaint about the 1983 Buick Skyhawk, most often about the steering. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem1Steering

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 8, 1995. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1983 Buick Skyhawk has problems

1 complaint 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
Steering10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

1983 Buick Skyhawk recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Emission control: crankcase (pcv)

Recall 87V-165 · Oct 26, 1987 · 126,319 vehicles

Risk. IF VALVE PIECES LODGE AGAINST THROTTLE PLATE, ENGINE MAYNOT RETURN TO IDLE RESULTING IN LOSS ACCELERATOR CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 87V-079 · May 7, 1987 · 1,136,407 vehicles

Risk. DRIVERS SEAT COULD TIP REARWARD UNEXPECTEDLY; THIS COULDRESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Buick.

Best & worst years

1983 vs. every other Skyhawk year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Skyhawk median. How we score

'75'76'78'79'82'83'84'85'86'87'89'91'92'93
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1983 Buick Skyhawk, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SUDDEN ACCELERATIONDP86019 · closed Dec 22, 1986
    No recall
  2. SEAT TRACK LOCKEA86023 · closed Jun 1, 1987
    Led to recall 87V-079
  3. POWER ST. ASSISTEA87006 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  4. SUDDEN ACCELEA87007 · closed Aug 7, 1987
    No recall
  5. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE85016 · closed Mar 22, 1985
    Led to recall 85V-034

Own a 1983 Skyhawk?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.