Owners have filed 34 complaints
about the 1998 Buick Skylark with NHTSA between 1998 and 2016.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 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 — 19
Against the median year of the Buick Skylark. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1998 Buick Skylark
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
617.6%
Electrical System
617.6%
Median failure at 93,000 miles
Brakes
411.8%
Airbags
411.8%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 144,500 mi
Engine & Cooling
411.8%
Median failure at 185,000 miles
Seat Belts
25.9%
Body & Structure
25.9%
Median failure at 46,000 miles
Equipment & Accessories
12.9%
Seats
12.9%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.9%
Fuel & Propulsion
12.9%
Suspension
12.9%
Steering
12.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
111.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
444.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
222.2%
150,000+ miles
222.2%
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.
Oct 1998peak 8Feb 2016
Recalls on the 1998 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.
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.
04V036000
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. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2004033337,025 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, if the engine fails to start and the driver holds the key in the "Start" position for an extended period, high current flowing through the ignition switch may 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: Dealer will install a relay kit to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 96,000 milesLakeland, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10734483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAG OF A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK (N BODY) DEPLOYED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, IN FACT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A BUILDING AND NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I SUSTAINED A BRAIN SHEAR INJURY AND I AM STILL RECOVERING. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED IN N BODY GM VEHICLES. GENERAL MOTORS PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED ME IN REGARD TO MY INJURIES OR LOST WAGES.(I WAS OUT OF WORK 2 MONTHS AND RECENTLY RETURNED ON A LIMITED BASIS. GENERAL MOTORS BLAMES THE DEPLOYMENT ON MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. I LIVE IN WESTERN NEW YORK WHERE WITH OUR WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO HAVE MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED A DEPLOYMENT IS ALSO INJURED. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER AS THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IS VERY GREAT. THANKS MIKE HALL PS I HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN.
NHTSA complaint #10115975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheat Ridge, CO2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheat Ridge, CO2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Westlake, OHCrash3 injured
AIR BAGS
DURING COLLISION NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS CAUSED INJURY TO PASSENGERS.
NHTSA complaint #541600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 138,000 milesLake Elmo, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10837851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA complaint #10837851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesLakeland, FLCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA complaint #10734483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 185,000 milesOmaha, NE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE OIL.
NHTSA complaint #10440082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 193,000 milesPequot Lakes, MN
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO CRASH OCCURRED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER, NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000.
NHTSA complaint #10410566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 46,000 milesBenson, NC
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER FLOODED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT AND PEDALS. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN UPDATED 02/03/10.
NHTSA complaint #10295131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffafo, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT ON 7-11-05 HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR PUT IN. IT FAILED ON 8-13-05., AND IT WAS REPLACED ON 8-14-05. IT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE TESTER AS CONSISTENT. IT WAS ARCHING AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE ALTERNATOR WAS #8225-7. THEY WILL REPLACE IT IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME; BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE CALL NOW BECAUSE CAR DIED THE FREEWAY. A MECHANIC TOLD HER THEY WERE PUTTING BAD REGULATORS IN THESE ALTERNATORS. THIS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES;: CAR QUEST, AND BBB INDUSTRIES; 5640 COMMERCE EAST, MOBILE, AL 36619. PALLADIUM; BOX 2710 RONOAKE, VA 24001.
NHTSA complaint #10133015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamburg, NY1 injured
AIR BAGS
I WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAG OF A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK (N BODY) DEPLOYED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, IN FACT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A BUILDING AND NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I SUSTAINED A BRAIN SHEAR INJURY AND I AM STILL RECOVERING. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED IN N BODY GM VEHICLES. GENERAL MOTORS PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED ME IN REGARD TO MY INJURIES OR LOST WAGES.(I WAS OUT OF WORK 2 MONTHS AND RECENTLY RETURNED ON A LIMITED BASIS. GENERAL MOTORS BLAMES THE DEPLOYMENT ON MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. I LIVE IN WESTERN NEW YORK WHERE WITH OUR WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO HAVE MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED A DEPLOYMENT IS ALSO INJURED. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER AS THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IS VERY GREAT. THANKS MIKE HALL PS I HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN.
NHTSA complaint #10115975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 93,000 milesJacksonville, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE CRANK POSITION UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL START. THERE IS A DELAY IN STARTING.
NHTSA complaint #10061668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 82,000 milesRavenswood, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING THE KEY VEHICLE WILL NOT START.
NHTSA complaint #10061611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,000 milesWichita, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 040025000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH .
NHTSA complaint #10061614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED TO DISENGAGE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT SEEMED TO HAVE REOCCURD. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST.
NHTSA complaint #8016080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
POWER WINDOW ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED TO GO UP. DEALER NOTIFIED ,AND THEY INFORMED THAT REGULTOR MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING, INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8016213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheat Ridge, CO2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wheat Ridge, CO2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #564800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Angeles, CA
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF A GARAGE AND WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH, AND STEERING WHEEL COLUMN FELL IN HER LAP. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #896971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN ENGINE IS WARM AND HAS BEEN RUNNING, IT IS MORE LIKELY TO SHUT OFF. DEALERSHIP CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE OF DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #888115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS COMING LOOSE AT ONLY 28,972 MILES WHICH COULD CAUSE OTHER RELATED PROBELMS. DEALER CLAIMS THEY ARE AWARE OF DEFECT. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erlanger, KY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
SHIELD ON THE GAS LINE WAS NOT SECURE A HOLE THE SIZE OF A PENCIL WAS WORN INTO THE TUBING GASOLINE SPILLED ONTO THE MANIFOLD AND SPRAYED INTO THE ENGINE. IT WAS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND COLD WEATHER IT DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE...I HAVE THE PIECE THAT WAS REMOVED....ALL THE GAS LINES SHOULD BE CHECKED TO BE SURE THE SHIELD IS HELD IN PLACE....I AM NOT A FATALITY BUT COULD HAVE BEEN. THIS IS SERIOUS...WHO ELSE CAN I CONTACT? AN.
NHTSA complaint #738570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST Ignace, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING VEHICLE ROARS UP HIGH LIKE IT WANTS TO GET AWAY. WHEN TRAVELING UPWARDS THE VEHICLE WILL SPEED UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE.
NHTSA complaint #870536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holtister, MO
SEATS
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE/COLLAPSED TO THE RECLINING/RESTING POSITION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PARTS HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #863400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE 1998 BUICK SKYLARK IS NOT LISTED IN THIS PROGRAM TO REQUEST RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE: DISREGARD ENGINE REMARKS (SEE THROTTLE CONTROL HEADING).
NHTSA complaint #712873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE 1998 BUICK SKYLARK IS NOT LISTED IN THIS PROGRAM TO REQUEST RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE: DISREGARD ENGINE REMARKS (SEE THROTTLE CONTROL HEADING).
NHTSA complaint #712873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE 1998 BUICK SKYLARK IS NOT LISTED IN THIS PROGRAM TO REQUEST RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE: DISREGARD ENGINE REMARKS (SEE THROTTLE CONTROL HEADING).
NHTSA complaint #712873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.