Owners have filed 54 complaints
about the 1993 Buick Skylark with NHTSA between 1995 and 2008.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 6 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 31
Against the median year of the Buick Skylark. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 76
14.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
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.
Mar 1995peak 3Mar 2008
Recalls on the 1993 Buick Skylark
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.
United States — NHTSA
93V153000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE NEUTRAL START SAFETY SWITCH COULD HAVE BEEN FRACTURED DURING INSTALLATION.
Risk: A FRACTURED SWITCH CAN RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION.ALSO, A VEHICLE WITH A FRACTURED SWITCH CAN BE STARTED IN GEAR, CAUSING THEVEHICLE TO MOVE UNEXPECTEDLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1993130103 units in Canada
Electrical
THE NEUTRAL START SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES WAS FRACTURED AT INSTALLATION. OVER TIME, THIS COULD RESULT IN A NO-START CONDITION. A VEHICLE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO BE STARTED IN GEAR WHICH COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE NEUTRAL START SWITCH ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES AND INSPECT/REPLACE THE MANUAL SHAFT ASSEMBLY.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Midvale, UTCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1993 BUICK SKYLARK DEFECTED DRIVER SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OF THIS PROBLEM. USE ODI # 813444 AS A REFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10221712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT AN IMPACT OF 40-45 MPH, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #857842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bella Vista, ARCrash1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE VEHICLE'S DEFECTIVE DRIVER'S SEATBACK COLLAPSED BACKWARDS AFTER BEING REARENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 40+MPH. DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #813444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sioux City, 00Crash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL/ACCIDENT/INJURIES. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #482981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUE City, 00Crash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPON SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE CRASHING INTO ANOTHER CAR/EMBANKMENT AND BUILDING, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. TT
NHTSA complaint #962252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Midvale, UTCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1993 BUICK SKYLARK DEFECTED DRIVER SEAT RECLINER ASSEMBLY. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION OF THIS PROBLEM. USE ODI # 813444 AS A REFERENCE.
NHTSA complaint #10221712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton Township, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10097368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. BUT CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF ON THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET OR THE HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10029776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN TURNING THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, VEHICLE HESTIAGES TO TURN OVER, AND CONSUMER HAS TOO TURN KEYS SEVERAL TIMES, WHICH RESULT IN KEYS GETTING HOT. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS TEMPERATURE MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR OVERHAT.
NHTSA complaint #762732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Monroe, LA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SENSOR THAT CONTROLS TEMPERATURE MAY BE DEFECTIVE AND MAY CAUSE A MAJOR OVERHAT.
NHTSA complaint #762732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE NOT STOP BRAKES LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE SHIMMIED. HAD REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8009846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE NOT STOP BRAKES LOCKS UP AND VEHICLE SHIMMIED. HAD REPAIRED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PLEASE ADD VIN.
NHTSA complaint #8009846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02-070-001 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER ADDS WITH VEHICLE IN PARK AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK, HOSE TO POP OFF AND ALL SENSORS AND FAN MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #8009482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8008368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
POWER TRAIN
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #8004090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmdale, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITH NO WARNING. NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA complaint #8004089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wallkill, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
REPLACED FAULTY 02 SENSOR, DUE TO ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #560621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wallkill, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REMOVE CYLINDER HEAD, INSTALLED NEW WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, TIMING CHAIN, GEARS AND GUIDES, INSTALL REMAN CYLINDER HEAD, THERMOSTAT, OXYGEN SENSOR AND ANTI-FREEZE, DUE TO ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #560621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wallkill, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
REMOVE CYLINDER HEAD, INSTALLED NEW WATER PUMP, HEAD GASKET, TIMING CHAIN, GEARS AND GUIDES, INSTALL REMAN CYLINDER HEAD, THERMOSTAT, OXYGEN SENSOR AND ANTI-FREEZE, DUE TO ENGINE RELATED PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #560621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pelican Rapids, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 MPH AND 70 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #886543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Flint, MI
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THEN, SHOCKS EXITED FROM AUTO THROUGH HOOD. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #883741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Olive, MI
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH "FELT WHEEL GIVE A LITTLE." STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM BROKE. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *AK DEALER FOUND TILT HOUSING LOCK PIN WAS MISSING RETAINER AND IT WAS LOOSE, DEALER DISASSEMBLED COLUMN ASSEMBLY AND TRIM, REPAIRED TILT ASSEMBLY. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATED, AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD.
NHTSA complaint #863715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VACrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT AN IMPACT OF 40-45 MPH, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #857842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ringwood, NJ
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE STALLED ON THE ROAD DUE TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint #550940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Noridge, IL
SEAT BELTS
WIRING FOR THE SEAT BELT INDICATOR IS UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT,AND IS NOT PROTECTED OR ROUTED CORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN THE WIRING BECOMING CUT OR TRAPPED WITHIN THE SEAT TRACKS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #832077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH STEERING WHEEL DROPPED INTO DRIVER'S LAP WHEN SHE MADE A LEFT. NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #853394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
HEADRESTS FAIL TO STAY IN POSITION, SAFETY HAZARD; MOUNT FAILS TO LOCK POSITION OF HEADRESTS
NHTSA complaint #710232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Converse, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF BREAKDOWNS,BUT THE ONE WHICH DISTURBS ME THE MOST IS THE FRONT DASH BOARD PEELING AND YES ICOMPLAINED TO THEMANUFACTORANDDEALER
NHTSA complaint #709520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.