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1988 Buick SkylarkProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 14 owner complaints about the 1988 Buick Skylark, most often about the vehicle speed control. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints144 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Vehicle speed control

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 23, 2001. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Buick Skylark has problems

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
Vehicle speed control32
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Seat belts20
Engine and engine cooling20
Electrical system10
Exterior lighting10
Tires10
Suspension10
Fuel system, gasoline11

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

3 recalls

1988 Buick Skylark 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

Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 92V-150 · Oct 19, 1992 · 108,836 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Headlights: switch

Recall 87V-169 · Oct 26, 1987 · 101 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGIN CONDITIONS OF POOR VISIBILITY, SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME.

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

1988 vs. every other Skylark 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 Skylark median. How we score

'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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Buick Skylark, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESSEA89010 · closed May 8, 1990
    No recall
  2. BRAKE PERFORMANCEEA90041 · closed Mar 30, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Skylark owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S BACK YARD AND HIT A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK
Complaint 822708 · Apr 22, 1998
WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE IS STILL ACCELERATES. CAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION IS UNKNOWN. *AK
Complaint 815105 · Aug 6, 1997
WHILE DRIVING AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF AND THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF THE DRIVER HIT SOMETHING. ALSO DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL PICK UP SPEED NOT WHEN VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL ROAD. *AK
Complaint 814967 · Aug 4, 1997

Own a 1988 Skylark?

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