FaultScore report
Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 1991 Buick Skylark with NHTSA between 1995 and 2004. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
46
Complaints
7
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
2 crashes, 0 fires
3 crashes, 0 fires · median 132,000 mi
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 88,000 miles
1 crashes, 0 fires
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Risk: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Electrical
ON VEHICLES WITH POWER WINDOWS, MOISTURE MAY ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND COULD CAUSE PHANTOM WINDOW OPERATION IN WHICH THE WINDOW MAY CYCLE WITHOUT OPERATOR INPUT AND SOMETIMES REMAIN DOWN. THE MODULE MAY EVENTUALLY FAIL BY OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IN THE DOOR PANEL. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS IN A LEFT REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARD UPON IMPACT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER HAVING NECK AND EYE INJURIES. THIS COULD OF CAUSED INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER ALSO, BUT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
NHTSA complaint #10004036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT & SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, TAPPED ON GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHIFTED INTO REVERSE & IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SKYLARK WAS DECLARED TOTALED. POSSIBLY DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE/DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON 2/28/99 I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT" GAVE WAY SLAMMING ME DOWN FLAT. I WAS UNCONSCEOUS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH MY HEAD , NECK,AND UPPER BACK AREAS. I FEEL THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT MY INJURIES WERE MUCH WORSE BECAUSE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT GIVING WAY AND SLAMMING ME DOWN FLAT. MY WIFE WHO WAS ALSO IN THE CAR, AND RECIEVED CONTUSIONS AND SOME WHIPLASH PROBLEMS. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS EXPERIMENTED WITH " BREAKAWAY SEATS" IN 1991. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU KNEW IF THIS WERE TRUE OR NOT OR IF YOU COULD FIND OUT. I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE IF PEOPLE WERE USED AS EXPERIMENTS WITH OUT BEING PROPERLY INFORMED ABOUT IT. *AKY
NHTSA complaint #708561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT IN THE REAR BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. WE BOTH HAD SEAT BELTS ON. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT " BROKE SLAMMING ME DOWN HARD. I CAME TO STAIRING UP AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WAS PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR CO. EXPAIRMENTED WITH BREAKAWAY SEATS IN 1991. IF SO I THINK THEY SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND THE SEATS REPLACED, AS I AM SURE MY INJURIES WERE MUCH WORSE THAN MY WIFES BECAUSE OF MY SEAT SLAMMING ME DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #706473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
INTERLOCK SYSTEM IN TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #535967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT DURING A REAREND COLLISION, ALSO CRUISE CONTROL LINKAGE DISCONNECTED DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND LOCK ON DRIVER'S SIDE WOULD NOT RELEASE, DRIVER HAD TO CLIMB TO OTHER SIDE TO OPEN DRIVER'S DOOR.
NHTSA complaint #987123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PAINT PEALING OFF ROOF, LITTLE BY LITTLE
NHTSA complaint #10068759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PAINT PEALING OFF ROOF, LITTLE BY LITTLE
NHTSA complaint #10068759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF AND CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER LOSSED CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10027121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
VEHICLE WAS IN A LEFT REAR END COLLISION. THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT RECLINED BACKWARD UPON IMPACT. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH RECLINING SEATS. THIS RESULTED IN THE DRIVER HAVING NECK AND EYE INJURIES. THIS COULD OF CAUSED INJURIES TO THE PASSENGER ALSO, BUT THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
NHTSA complaint #10004036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHEN PUTTING DOWN THE DRIVERS SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW, THE WINDOW AT TIMES WILL NOT COME BACK UP. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND THEY PUT ON A 4 WAY SWITCH THATS USED TO LET DOWN ALL 4 WINDOWS. THAT DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED ITS THE MOTOR IN THE DOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ON IT WILL ACCELERATE AND MOVE FORWARD WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR NOT.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ON IT WILL ACCELERATE AND MOVE FORWARD WHETHER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR NOT.*AK CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE MOVES FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTEND PERIOD OF TIME AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #873258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FAN MOTOR, COOLING SYSTEM, BOTH FRONT DOOR WINDOW MOTORS, AND THE BATTERY TWICE. THIS PLUS 6 ALTERNATORS WITHIN 5 1/2 YEARS. THE COOLING SYSTEM, FAN MOTOR, AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS OCCURED AT VARYING SPEEDS-IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE THAT THE IDLE RECALIBRATED ITSELF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #729973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FAN MOTOR, COOLING SYSTEM, BOTH FRONT DOOR WINDOW MOTORS, AND THE BATTERY TWICE. THIS PLUS 6 ALTERNATORS WITHIN 5 1/2 YEARS. THE COOLING SYSTEM, FAN MOTOR, AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS OCCURED AT VARYING SPEEDS-IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE THAT THE IDLE RECALIBRATED ITSELF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #729973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FAN MOTOR, COOLING SYSTEM, BOTH FRONT DOOR WINDOW MOTORS, AND THE BATTERY TWICE. THIS PLUS 6 ALTERNATORS WITHIN 5 1/2 YEARS. THE COOLING SYSTEM, FAN MOTOR, AND ALTERNATOR PROBLEMS OCCURED AT VARYING SPEEDS-IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS INCLUDE THAT THE IDLE RECALIBRATED ITSELF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #729973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT & SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, TAPPED ON GAS PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHIFTED INTO REVERSE & IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS & HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. SKYLARK WAS DECLARED TOTALED. POSSIBLY DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE/DEFECT. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. NLM
NHTSA complaint #551408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
ON 2/28/99 I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN HIT FROM BEHIND BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 50 MPH. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT" GAVE WAY SLAMMING ME DOWN FLAT. I WAS UNCONSCEOUS FOR ABOUT A MINUTE AND PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH MY HEAD , NECK,AND UPPER BACK AREAS. I FEEL THAT WITHOUT A DOUBT MY INJURIES WERE MUCH WORSE BECAUSE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT GIVING WAY AND SLAMMING ME DOWN FLAT. MY WIFE WHO WAS ALSO IN THE CAR, AND RECIEVED CONTUSIONS AND SOME WHIPLASH PROBLEMS. I HAVE SINCE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR MANUFACTURERS EXPERIMENTED WITH " BREAKAWAY SEATS" IN 1991. I WAS WONDERING IF YOU KNEW IF THIS WERE TRUE OR NOT OR IF YOU COULD FIND OUT. I THINK IT IS TERRIBLE IF PEOPLE WERE USED AS EXPERIMENTS WITH OUT BEING PROPERLY INFORMED ABOUT IT. *AKY
NHTSA complaint #708561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT IN THE REAR BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. WE BOTH HAD SEAT BELTS ON. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT " BROKE SLAMMING ME DOWN HARD. I CAME TO STAIRING UP AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WAS PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR CO. EXPAIRMENTED WITH BREAKAWAY SEATS IN 1991. IF SO I THINK THEY SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND THE SEATS REPLACED, AS I AM SURE MY INJURIES WERE MUCH WORSE THAN MY WIFES BECAUSE OF MY SEAT SLAMMING ME DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #706473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
OIL CHANGED PER MANUAL. NEVER USED FOR TOWING.
NHTSA complaint #704637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #703030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL THE PAINT HAS CONTINUED TO PEEL OFF THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #702876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #604813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. THE POWER OUTAGE WAS DUE TO THE COMPUTER CHIPS IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS SELF DESTRUCTED. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A METAL SOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #830542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 50 MPH WHEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING; DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #830549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKS, AND BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #827369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH
INTERLOCK SYSTEM IN TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #535967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
COMING UPON A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, VEHICLE WOULD START MAKING CLANKING NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #823339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.