FaultScore

1997 Buick Skylark brake problems

22 of the 111 complaints about the 1997 Buick Skylark are about the braking system — 20% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,500 miles.

F

22

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 11 50.0%
Foundation Components 2 9.1%
Pads 2 9.1%
Disc 1 4.5%
Rotor 1 4.5%
ABS Warning Light 1 4.5%
Service Brakes, AIR 1 4.5%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 4.5%
Disc 1 4.5%
Service Brakes 1 4.5%

Brakes across every Buick Skylark year

1993 12 13.0%
1994 17 18.5%
1995 21 22.8%
1996 20 21.7%
1997 22 23.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

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 55,000 miles Rancho Cordova, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10057534 — 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.

Mesa, AZ

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

BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE WHEN APPLIED, AND PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS VEHICLE BECAUSE NOONE COULD FIX THE DEFECT. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #895431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Roanoke, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE.*AK EVENTHOUGH THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, THE CONSUMER FEELS NOT SECURE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #885173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC

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

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #880498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Quincy, IL

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

ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ABS ENGAGING ON WET ROADS OR INTERMITTENTLY ON DRY ROAD. VEHICLE BEEN IN/OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #880013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Henderson, NC

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

ABS LIGHT WOULD FLASH WHILE TRAVELING. WHEN MAKING TURNS VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL. ALSO, WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #876252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC

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

RECALL 97V059000: CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY 35MPH AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BLEW UP IN HER FACE. THERE WAS WHITE SMOKE INSIDE OF VEHICLE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS GRABBING SLOWLY. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE HOME VERY SLOWLY. CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER.

NHTSA complaint #865897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cajon, CA

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

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF OF BRAKE PADS. ALSO, VEHICLE COMMENCED VIBRATION AT 65 MPH, AND REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #860320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cajon, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF OF BRAKE PADS. ALSO, VEHICLE COMMENCED VIBRATION AT 65 MPH, AND REAR SHOCKS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DEALER NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #860320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

ABS SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE OWNERSHIP, REPLACED BRAKES ONCE, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO LOCK UP IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA AND MAKES NOISE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC

ABS SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE OWNERSHIP, REPLACED BRAKES ONCE, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO LOCK UP IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA AND MAKES NOISE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mesa, AZ

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

ABS SYSTEM HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY SINCE OWNERSHIP, REPLACED BRAKES ONCE, HOWEVER CONTINUES TO LOCK UP IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL AREA AND MAKES NOISE. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash 1 injured

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

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH RESULTED IN TWO MINOR COLLISIONS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.ALSO, BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #850466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE PEDAL BECOMES SOFT, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES WHICH RESULTED IN TWO MINOR COLLISIONS. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES.ALSO, BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED . MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #850466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY

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

BRAKES LOCK UP ON TURN, WET SURFACES AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTACE WHEN BRAKING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. NLM

NHTSA complaint #548074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Orleans, LA

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

HEARD NOISE COMING FROM WHEELS. TOOK TO DEALER & TOLD NOTHING WRONG. NOISE GOT LOUDER. BACK AT DEALER'S & MECHANIC SAID BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WENT BAD. HAS EXTENDED & FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT TOLD BRAKES & ROTORS NOT INCLUDED. BRAKES & ROTORS NEED REPLACING. DEFECTIVE REAR SHOCKS.

NHTSA complaint #826186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Orleans, LA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

HEARD NOISE COMING FROM WHEELS. TOOK TO DEALER & TOLD NOTHING WRONG. NOISE GOT LOUDER. BACK AT DEALER'S & MECHANIC SAID BRAKE PADS & ROTORS WENT BAD. HAS EXTENDED & FACTORY WARRANTY, BUT TOLD BRAKES & ROTORS NOT INCLUDED. BRAKES & ROTORS NEED REPLACING. DEFECTIVE REAR SHOCKS.

NHTSA complaint #826186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holden, MA

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

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THERE IS A KNOCKING NOISE AND THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM BUT INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAS AND CLAIMS FAILURE IS DUE TO FAILURE OF ABS.

NHTSA complaint #834674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murphysboro, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

REPLACED 4 SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS EVERY 8 TO 10 MILES, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATES AND ALSO CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #821738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murphysboro, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

REPLACED 4 SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS EVERY 8 TO 10 MILES, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKING SYSTEM THE STEERING COLUMN VIBRATES AND ALSO CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #821738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Buick Skylark problems

← Full 1997 Buick Skylark report