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Buick SkylarkYears to avoid, problems & recalls

Based on 522 NHTSA owner complaints across 29 model years, no Buick Skylark year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994. The Skylark has 50 safety recalls on record.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years'91 '92 '93 '94Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints522Top: Electrical systemSafety recalls501966–2000 model years

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

Best & worst years

Buick Skylark 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 Skylark median. Tap a year for its full report.

'66'67'68'70'71'75'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'00
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2000Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/10024 complaints · 1 recall1997Solid48/10079 complaints · 3 recalls1996Solid47/10085 complaints · 4 recalls1995Solid47/10085 complaints · 1 recall1994Solid50/10068 complaints · 2 recalls1993Solid62/10046 complaints · 1 recall1992Best71/10032 complaints · 3 recalls1991Solid64/10038 complaints · 1 recall1990Not rated–/10019 complaints · 1 recall1989Not rated–/1004 complaints · 2 recalls1988Not rated–/10014 complaints · 3 recalls1987Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1986Not rated–/1008 complaints · 1 recall1985Not rated–/1006 complaints · 1 recall1984Not rated–/1008 complaints · 3 recalls1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1982Not rated–/1003 complaints · 3 recalls1981Not rated–/1001 complaint · 2 recalls1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 9 recalls1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1975Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1971Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1970Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1968Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1967Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1966Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall
Complaints by system

Most common Buick Skylark problems

All model years combined: 522 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 system1069
Engine and engine cooling915
Service brakes, hydraulic916
Air bags5327
Steering391
Vehicle speed control3914
Power train374
Seat belts316
Structure242
15 other systems14918
50 recalls

Buick Skylark recalls

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

–Ignition: switch04V-036 · 1998 · Jan 27, 2004 · 1,415,231 vehicles–Ignition: switch02V-070 · 1996–1997 · Mar 6, 2002 · 1,589,948 vehicles–Electrical system: starter assembly00V-287 · 1994–1995 · Oct 2, 2000 · 699,617 vehicles–Interior lighting98V-027 · 1996 · Feb 17, 1998 · 249,420 vehicles–Wiring: front underhood97V-059 · 1997 · Apr 8, 1997 · 3,464 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar96V-249 · 1996 · Dec 17, 1996 · 424 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly96V-212 · 1997 · Oct 30, 1996 · 245 vehicles–Air bags: frontal96V-211 · 1996 · Oct 28, 1996 · 48,689 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly94V-122 · 1994 · Jul 1, 1994 · 1,681 vehicles–Ignition: switch93V-153 · 1993 · Sep 14, 1993 · 1,103 vehicles–Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings92V-150 · 1988–1989 · Oct 19, 1992 · 108,836 vehicles–Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap92V-106 · 1992 · Jul 17, 1992 · 20 vehicles

Showing the 12 newest of 50 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.

15 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Skylark

  1. STEERING COLUMN FIRESEA00007 · 1994–1995 · closed Feb 7, 2001
    Led to recall 00V-287
  2. BRAKE CALIPER CORROSIONPE92039 · 1990–1992 · closed Aug 14, 1992
    No recall
  3. SEAT BELT SEPARATIONEA91045 · 1985–1987 · closed Oct 26, 1992
    No recall
  4. SAFETY BELT CUT AT D-RINGPE91099 · 1986 · closed Nov 7, 1991
    No recall
  5. BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA90041 · 1987–1988 · closed Mar 30, 1992
    No recall
  6. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · 1987–1988 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  7. POWER ST. ASSISTEA87006 · 1980–1985 · closed Sep 19, 1988
    No recall
  8. EXPEDITE DETERMINATN OF DEFECT IN C84-01DP86020 · 1980 · closed Oct 6, 1986
    No recall
  9. WINDSHIELD WIPERSEA86025 · 1985 · closed Mar 2, 1988
    No recall
  10. ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESPE85016 · 1983–1984 · closed Mar 22, 1985
    Led to recall 85V-034