FaultScore

FaultScore report

1997 Buick Skylark problems

Owners have filed 111 complaints about the 1997 Buick Skylark with NHTSA between 1997 and 2015. The largest single group is the brakes. Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.

D

FaultScore 64/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Buick Skylark.

How this is worked out

The numbers

111

Complaints

9

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

8

Injuries reported

55,016 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

25%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 63 vs 50 Severity 79 vs 50 Early failure 43 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the Buick Skylark. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 79
15.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1997 compares with every other Buick Skylark

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1997 Buick Skylark

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Brakes 22 19.8%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,500 mi

Median failure at 54,000 miles

Engine & Cooling 14 12.6%

Median failure at 26,000 miles

Airbags 12 10.8%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 56,166 mi

Acceleration & Cruise Control 6 5.4%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 123,000 mi

Suspension 6 5.4%
Transmission & Drivetrain 6 5.4%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 43,749 mi

Seat Belts 5 4.5%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 4.5%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

Body & Structure 5 4.5%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

Lights 3 2.7%
Steering 3 2.7%

Median failure at 8,250 miles

Seats 2 1.8%
Other & Unspecified 1 0.9%
Equipment & Accessories 1 0.9%
Doors, Latches & Locks 1 0.9%
Wheels 1 0.9%
Tires 1 0.9%
Fuel & Propulsion 1 0.9%

Exactly what failed

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.

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 25.6%
Gasoline 8 18.6%
Frontal 7 16.3%
Switch 6 14.0%
Park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch 4 9.3%
Anchorage 3 7.0%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 2 4.7%
Shock Absorber 2 4.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

1,000 – 9,999 miles 2 12.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 1 6.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 18.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 5 31.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 1 6.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 3 18.8%
150,000+ miles 1 6.3%

When owners complained

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.

Jun 1997 peak 6 May 2015

Recalls on the 1997 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

07E021000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES

CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.

Risk: FUEL MAY LEAK, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.

07E015000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.

Risk: A STALLED VEHICLE CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. A FUEL LEAK CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

02V070000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.

Risk: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

97V059000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.

Risk: THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

96V212000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, SOME WELDS WERE MISSED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WILL NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED CAUSING UNEXPECTED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL LINES, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF THIS IS A FUEL LEAK AND AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2003162 224,528 units in Canada

Airbag

Certain vehicles, after being exposed to substantial amounts of water, may experience deployment of either the driver or passenger front airbag without a crash. The owner’s manual for these vehicles does not provide specific information about this situation. Inadvertent deployment of the driver and / or passenger front airbag in a non-accident (non-impact) situation may cause damage to the surrounding vehicle environment (windshield / instrument panel), and create expensive vehicle repair, including replacement of the airbag module(s) and the Sensing and Diagnostic Module (SDM). In some instances, inadvertent deployment could cause minor injuries to vehicle occupants. Correction: GM will notify the owners of these 1996 and 1997 vehicles of the potential affect of water accumulating in the vehicle interior on the function of the airbag system (as included in the owner's manuals of 1998 and later model years vehicles).

Recall 2002041 293,250 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain passenger vehicles if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, and sometimes produces enough heat to melt internal switch parts. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. Correction: Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.

Recall 1997078 279 units in Canada

Electrical

THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTRE MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED ON THESE VEHICLES. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED, AND MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. PROLONGED CONTACT MAY RESULT IN ABRASION OF THE NEGATIVE CABLE INSULATION AND COULD CAUSE AN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT SHORT CIRCUIT BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND THE NEGATIVE CABLE. THIS CURRENT FLOW COULD CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE. CORRECTION: A PROTECTIVE COVER WILL BE INSTALLED IF NECESSARY.

Recall 1996173 7 units in Canada

Fuel System

THESE VEHICLES MAY NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 301 - FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY. SOME WELDS IN THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL MAY HAVE BEEN MISSED DURING ASSEMBLY. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE VEHICLE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE MAY NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED. THIS COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL LINES AND LEAKAGE OF FUEL. IF THERE IS A FUEL LEAK AND AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. CORRECTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR MISSING WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE THREE WELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 140,000 miles Minneapolis, MN 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10597478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Oakwood Village, OH Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY IN ORDER TO STOP THE WHEELS FROM SPINNING AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. A MECHANIC FROM THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT OPERATES THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED BACKWARDS AND JAMMED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 123,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10205314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10033831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB

NHTSA complaint #10022941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Land, MI Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

WHILE CHILD WAS IN VEHICLE PLAYING AND VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF IT WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND ROLLED BACKWARDS, HITTING A TREE WHILE CHILD WAS STILL IN VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8010883 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Indian Harbor Beach, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING 40 MPH FRONT END COLLISION. DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #899469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 60,000 miles Spokane, WA

SERVICE BRAKES

THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR, THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE ABS - ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ROAD IS WET AND DRIVING DOWN HILL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN THESE CONDITIONS, THE CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS STOP EVEN WHEN PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. YOU WILL HERE A CLICKING OR GRINDING TYPE OF NOISE. IT'S NOT THE PADS OR ROTORS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED. IN THESE CONDITIONS, I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM SO I WON'T HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND GONE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. IT HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY IN ICY CONDITIONS EVEN WHEN DRIVING SUPER SLOW. FROM READING OTHER ONLINE COMPLAINTS, I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S SAFETY DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10721213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Minneapolis, MN 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND AN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10597478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Gary, IN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE INDEPENDENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER OR CENTRAL COMPUTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR POSSIBLE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54000.

NHTSA complaint #10576917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

1997 BUICK SKYLARK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM WHICH WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 02V070000.

NHTSA complaint #10433382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

1997 BUICK SKYLARK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM WHICH WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 02V070000.

NHTSA complaint #10433382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 155,000 miles Memphis, TN

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CAR HAD BEEN STALLING FOR MORE THAN A YEAR BUT NOT AS FREQUENT. THE MOST DANGEROUS TIME IT STALLED WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSTATE 240N. MY WIFE AND CHILD WAS WITH ME. IT WAS RUSH HOUR AND THERE WERE LOTS OF TRAFFIC. WE WERE TERRIFIED! ONCE I MERGED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, WE HAD TO WAIT FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. MIND YOU, WE ARE ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY AND DANGEROUS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR AFTER IT HAD STALLED, THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I HAD NO IDEA WHY THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING OR IF IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CAR NOT STARTING. I CALLED A TECHNICIAN I KNOW AND EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TO START BUT KEEP STALLING. HE ASKED ME TO LOOK AT THE DASH AND TELL HIM WHAT I SAW. THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT WAS FLASHING, IT REMAINED ON FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WENT OUT AFTER ABOUT 15 MINUTES. HE TOLD ME TO TRY TO START THE CAR AGAIN. IT STARTED. THIS (THE CAR STALLS, WAIT AWHILE, THEN IT STARTS) WENT ON FOR AWHILE. ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2009, I WENT OUT TO START THE CAR TO TAKE MY CHILD TO SCHOOL AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. TO THIS DAY, I CAN NOT GET MY CAR TO START AND THE THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE I KNOW WHO OWN BUICK SKYLARKS AND ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE THEFT SYSTEM. SOME HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL THINGS REPLACED SUCH AS THE KEY, THE SWITCH, ETC AND HAVE YET TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE BUICK SKYLARKS THEFT SYSTEM MANUFACTURED AROUND 1997! IS THERE ANYTHING BEING DONE OR WILL THERE BE SOMETHING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES AND/OR DEATHS!

NHTSA complaint #10291114 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Duluth, MN

STRUCTURE

WHEN IT RAINS THE CAR LEAKS. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR A FEW YEARS. PREVIOUSLY IT WAS IN A GARAGE, SO WE DON'T NO FOR SURE HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON. WE BROUGHT IT TO A GARAGE TO BE FIXED, THEY WORKED ON THE AREA OF THE COWL SECTION. BUT COULDN'T FIX IT. ALSO THE AIR CONDITIONING NEVER WORKED RIGHT AND HAD TO HAVE A CHARGE EVERY YEAR. FINALLY IT QUIT ALL TOGETHER.

NHTSA complaint #10231250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,000 miles Dilliner, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. HE CHECKED THE WATER AND OIL LEVELS DAILY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

NHTSA complaint #10223950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles Oakwood Village, OH Crash 1 injured

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY IN ORDER TO STOP THE WHEELS FROM SPINNING AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. A MECHANIC FROM THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT OPERATES THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED BACKWARDS AND JAMMED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 123,000. UPDATED 12/12/07

NHTSA complaint #10205314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,300 miles Sylvan Beach, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING !

NHTSA complaint #10178307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,000 miles Port ST Lucie, FL

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOWS - VERY SLOW GOING UP AND DOWN FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS AND MOTORS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AT THE SAME TIME. CANNOT PUT WINDOWS DOWN TO GET OUT OF CAR IF IT LANDS IN A CANAL OR WATERWAY ALONG THE HIGHWAY. COST $500.00 A WINDOW TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. FRIEND HAS A 2002 BUICK AND ALL 4 WINDOW REGULATORS AND MOTORS DO NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10117952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,033 miles Pearl River, LA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #10108700 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Rancho Cordova, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10057534 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,500 miles Freehold, NJ

STEERING

WHEN MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN, AND MADE A LOUD DRAGGING NOISE. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10053921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Kansas City, MO

STEERING

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. *AK THE WHEEL WOULD SQUEAL. THE SERVICE DEALER FOUND A RUBBER SEAL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING SHAFT.

NHTSA complaint #10053984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,749 miles Summerville, SC

AIR BAGS

WHILE PARKING HORN CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER KNOB BROKE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE HORN FAILURE AND REPLACED THE SHIFTER KNOB. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,749 miles Summerville, SC

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT

WHILE PARKING HORN CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER KNOB BROKE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE HORN FAILURE AND REPLACED THE SHIFTER KNOB. *AK *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10038189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT. DRIVER SUSTAINED HEAD AND BACK INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10033831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Birmingham, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB

NHTSA complaint #10022941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,082 miles Pompano Beach, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

THE HORN ACTIVATES BY ITSELF. *JB...

NHTSA complaint #10014642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Central Square, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA complaint #10008729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUN City West, AZ

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HORN BLOWS WITH OUT TOUCHING IT, DEALER NOTIFIED AND SAID THE HEAT CASUSES THE AIR BAG TO EXPAND WHICH CAUSES THE HORN TO GO OFF. TS

NHTSA complaint #8024082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Central Square, NY

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

ENGINE WAS RUNNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. SUDDENLY GEAR SLIPPED OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE AND VEHICLE HIT A HOUSE. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8015999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cottage Grove, OR

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE REVVED, AND TOOK OFF IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8015429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

AFTER RECALL NOTIFICATION THE CONSUMER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND RECALL 02V-070 WAS PERFORMED ON THE INGNITION SWITCH, THE NEXT DAY THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AGAIN, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO FOUND THAT THE DOOR LOCK SWITCH WAS STICKING CAUSING A DRAW WHICH DRAINED THE NEW BATTERY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #566556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.