35 of the
119 complaints about the 1995 Buick Skylark are about the
electrical system — 29% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
81,000 miles.
MY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE HORN SWITCH. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE HORN SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I HAD TO HAVE A BYPASS SWITCH INSTALLED ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH IS INCONVENIENT AND AWKWARD TO USE. IN MY OPINION, THE HORN IS A MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAN THE AIR BAG. I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER SEEN AN AIR BAG DEPLOY, BUT MY HORN HAS PREVENTED ACCIDENTS MANY TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10650040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesWestfield, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN FAILED, THE FUSE WAS INSPECTED AND HAD MELTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HORN SWITCH STUCK CAUSING THE HORN TO SHORT OUT AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE HORN, HORN RELAY, AND WIRING HARNESS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10148440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesWestfield, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE HORN FAILED, THE FUSE WAS INSPECTED AND HAD MELTED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE HORN SWITCH STUCK CAUSING THE HORN TO SHORT OUT AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO MELT. THE HORN, HORN RELAY, AND WIRING HARNESS WERE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10148440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesWarren, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
IN AUG 2001 I HAD TO HAVE THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER ON THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED DUE THE HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS BECOMING NON OPERATIVE. IN FEB 2002 I STARTED TO HAVE RANDOM OCCURENCES OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING NONFUNCTIONAL WHILE THE SWITCH WAS BEING OPERATED, USUALLY AFTER TURNING THE SWITCH ON AND OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. IN JUNE 2003 THE LEFT AND RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STARTED TO RANDOMLY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. SOMETIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD NOT COME ON AT ALL WHEN ACTIVATED, OTHER TIMES THE SIGNAL WOULD STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE TURN WOULD BE COMPLETED. IN SEPT 2003 THE LEFT SIGNAL WILL NOT OPERATE NORMALLY, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE SIGNAL INDICTACTING A LEFT TURN, THE SIGNAL WILL ACTIVATE, BUT IT WILL NOT BLINK, THE LIGHT JUST COMES ON AND STAYS LIKE THAT. THE DRIVER HAS TO MANUALLY MOVE THE SWITCH IN THE ON AND OFF POSISTION IN A CONTINOUS MOTION TO USE THE SIGNAL. THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OPERATE IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN ACTIVATED. ALL THE LAMPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY THE OWNER, AND THE WIRING HAS BEEN INSPECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10045539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Parsippany, NJ1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT MECHANISMS DO NOT LOCK WHEN DRIVER HAS TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP. DEALER STATED SEAT BELTS WORK, JUST NOT TO CONSUMERS WEIGHT.*AK. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE SECOND OCCASION, AND THE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD, CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES, CONSUMER REQUESTED THE BATTERY TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO IT BEING WEAK.
NHTSA complaint #8009401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WOULD BE TRYING TO USE SIGNAL LEVER OR THE HORN AND NEITHER WOULD WORK PROPERLY. HORN WENT OUT FIRST, THEN SIGNAL LIGHTS. ITS AN ONGOING PROBLEM CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.*AK CONSUMER ADDS WHEN FLASHERS ARE TURNED ON, THE SIGNALS START TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #8007585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
INTERMITTENTLY HORN WILL BLOW BY ITSELF, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BLOW UNTIL FUSE IS REMOVED. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE HORN AIRBAG COMBINATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #898346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Racine, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE THE ENGINE IS IDLING THE BATTERY METER MOVES DOWN AND THE LIGHTS DIM, A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM REOCCURED, A NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED DUE TO A STALLING CONDITION. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785546 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Durham, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THREE MONTHS AFTER RECALL 00V287000 REPAIRS HAD BEEN PERFORMED IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO TURN ENGINE OVER. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #891940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perth Amboy, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON SPORADICALLY, THE HORN BLOWS AT VARIOUS TIMES WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING, THE DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK SOMETIMES FAILS TO OPEN WITH THE KEY AND OFTEN FAILS TO OPERATE WITH THE OTHER DOORS. NOTHING SERIOUS HAS HAPPENED YET, HOWEVER, THE CAR HAS FRIGHTENED OTHER DRIVERS WHEN THE HORN BLEW STEADLILY FOR NO REASON. AT TIMES IT IS VERY DISTRACTING TO HAVE THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON, BUT GO OFF THE NEXT TIME OR SECOND TIME THE CAR IS STARTED.
NHTSA complaint #746570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Antonio, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE ON A RANDOM BASIS FOR PAST MONTH. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #889534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION WAS TURNED TO OFF POSITION, BUT CAR WAS STILL RUNNING.
NHTSA complaint #887799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Missouri C, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE RECALL 00V-287 PERFORMED, THE RECALL WORK DID NOT SOLVE THE VEHICLES PROBLEM AND THE DEALER CHARGED THE CONSUMER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WITHOUT THE CONSUMERS CONSENT, THE CONSUMER FEELS THE DEALER WAS TRYING TO MAKE MONEY FROM THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. NLM
NHTSA complaint #560501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Detroit, MIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE THAT ORIGINATED ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE IN CAB. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE, AND A COPY OF THE REPORT MADE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #883516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HORN WAS CONTINUALLY BLOWING. CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT FUSE. *AK HORN HAD WORKED INTERMITTENTLY SINCE 6000 MILES AND FAILED AT 115000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #881129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oskosh, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN BLOWS ON ITS OWN. MANUFACTURER INDICATED IT WOULD SPLIT COST OF REPAIRS. 1ST TIME NO PROBLEM WITH SOUND. 2ND TIME A PROBLEM WITH MODULAR.
NHTSA complaint #879704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stanton Island, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER 00V287000 CONCERNING ENGINE STARTER . CONTACTED DEALER, NO PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE UNTIL MARCH 2001. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #879405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lima, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND NOTICED A FUEL INJECTION LEAK. ALSO, BATTERY WAS GETTING VERY HOT, AND BURNING SMELL APPEARED IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT; AND SPARKS WERE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #879064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lima, OH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND NOTICED A FUEL INJECTION LEAK. ALSO, BATTERY WAS GETTING VERY HOT, AND BURNING SMELL APPEARED IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT; AND SPARKS WERE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #879064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
RECALL 00V287000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER RALPH BUICK, 2501 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, DEL RAY BEACH, FL 33483, 561-278-3292; AND DEALER SAID NO PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2001. HOWEVER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SYSTEM. VEHICLE KEPT STALLING WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. OCCUPANT WAS UNABLE TO JUMP START VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DEFECT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. BUICK WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR. *AK CONSUMER STATES RECALL WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HORN ARE INOPERABLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #877475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
RECALL 00V287000. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER RALPH BUICK, 2501 SOUTH FEDERAL HIGHWAY, DEL RAY BEACH, FL 33483, 561-278-3292; AND DEALER SAID NO PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE UNTIL FEBRUARY 2001. HOWEVER, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE SYSTEM. VEHICLE KEPT STALLING WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. OCCUPANT WAS UNABLE TO JUMP START VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DEFECT WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED VEHICLE TO EXPLODE. BUICK WILL NOT PROVIDE A RENTAL CAR. *AK CONSUMER STATES RECALL WOULD NOT BE PERFORMED DUE TO MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. SIGNAL LIGHTS AND HORN ARE INOPERABLE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #877475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Brighton, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE ACCELERATING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES HESITATION, THE MAIN COMPUTER WAS REPLACED AND THE SPEEDO SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #782514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
HORN SOUNDS WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED,OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPED WITH IGNITION OFF. DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT HORN ASSEMBLY IS PART OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG ASSY. I ALSO NOTICE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (SMELLS LIKE HOT ELECTRICAL WIRING).
NHTSA complaint #727805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Upland, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN SOUNDS WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED,OCCURS WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN STOPPED WITH IGNITION OFF. DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT HORN ASSEMBLY IS PART OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG ASSY. I ALSO NOTICE WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE (SMELLS LIKE HOT ELECTRICAL WIRING).
NHTSA complaint #727805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
N. Miami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
INTERMITTENTLY HORN ASSEMBLY BECAME INOPERABLE. DEALER INFORMED OWNER THAT THE HORN ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. TO REPAIR THIS DEFECT, THE ENTIRE UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY FLAW IN DESIGN REPLACING THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE HORN CONTACTS ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF IT. THE DRIVER THINKS A SIMPLE PROCEDURE TO CLEAN OR REPLACE THE CONTACT ACTIVATING THE HORN.
NHTSA complaint #865508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
THE HORN BLOWS CONTINUOUSLY WHILE THE IGNITION IS OFF BECAUSE DEFECTIVE HORN PAD IS SHORTING. YH
NHTSA complaint #550887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Duluth, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
THE HORN AND AIR BAG DEVICES ARE BUILT AS ONE UNIT ON THIS VEHICLE, THE HORN HAS GONE OUT AND CONSUMER HAS TO REPLACE BOTH UNITS TO RESTORE THE HORN UNIT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD COST $950.00 TO REPLACE.
NHTSA complaint #855545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
HORN BLOWS AND WILL NOT STOP BLOWING. CONSUMER HAD TO DISCONNECT FUSE.
NHTSA complaint #850411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sophia, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HAD TO HAVE HORN FIXED TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. CAR MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO MAKE HORN PAD AND AIR BAG ON EPIECE ASSEMBLIES.
NHTSA complaint #831801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plymouth, WIFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THERE WAS GRAY WHITE TOXIC TYPE SMOKE COMING THROUGH VENTS OF VEHICLE. PROBLEM RESULTED IN VEHICLE BEING ENGULFED IN FLAMES. POSSIBLE CAUSE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE AS NOTED BY GM INVESTIGATORS AND FIRE DEPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS.
NHTSA complaint #823637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.