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1990 Buick SkylarkProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 19 owner complaints about the 1990 Buick Skylark, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints193 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem7Electrical system

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 31, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1990 Buick Skylark has problems

19 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 system70
Engine and engine cooling50
Power train40
Structure30
Suspension30
Steering30
Fuel system, gasoline21
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Vehicle speed control10
4 other systems41

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

1 recall

1990 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 90V-119 · Jun 15, 1990 · 3,202 vehicles

Risk. FUEL LEAKS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULDRESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

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

1990 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
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1990 Buick Skylark, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE CALIPER CORROSIONPE92039 · closed Aug 14, 1992
    No recall
In owners' words

What Skylark owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

1990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS.ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK
Complaint 10036945 · Aug 31, 2003
CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES. A MECHANIC WAS TELLING HIM "ALTERNATOR WAS BUILT TOO FRAGILE FOR AMOUNT OF AMPAGE." PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 881842 · Mar 1, 2001

Own a 1990 Skylark?

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