RoadVitals

1980 Buick Skylark Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Recall campaignsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Newest Feb 24, 1983
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
0
Open investigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
7 investigations on file

Recall campaigns

9 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

83V018000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

Feb 24, 1983
239,799 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE PREMATURE REAR WHEEL SKID DURING BRAKING. REAR WHEEL SKIDDING IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR ON A WET OR SLICK SURFACE.
The remedy: DEPENDING ON THE TRANSMISSION TYPE AND THE BRAKE COMPONENTS THAT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE OR REPAIR, AS NECESSARY, CERTAIN FRONT BRAKE COMPONENTS, AND THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES. THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS WILL BE REPLACED WITH PARTS THAT USE A MATERIAL WHICH GREATLY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF REAR WHEEL SKID. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE FRONT BRAKES ARE TO ENSURE UNIFORMITY OF THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. ACTIONS TAKEN TO THE PARKING BRAKE COMPONENTS WILL ENSURE THAT THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, FOR KEEPING THE VEHICLE STATIONARY WHILE MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN NEUTRAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED UNITS ARE IN PARK, ARE MET.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
81V095000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

Aug 10, 1981
47,371 units potentially affected
The defect: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE REAR BRAKES COULD LOCK UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING DURING HIGH DECELERATION BRAKING. THE PROBLEM MAY BE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE PROPORTIONER VALVES IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE SYSTEM PROPORTIONER VALVES AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL NEW VALVES.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V234000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

Oct 23, 1979
236 units potentially affected
The defect: THE TURN SIGNAL FLASHER UNIT INSTALLED ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT". THIS INCORRECT UNIT CAUSES THE FLASH RATE TO BE TOO FAST OR RENDERS INOPERATIVE THE FEATURE WHICH CAUSES THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR LIGHT(S) IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO REMAIN LIT IF ONE OF ONE OR MORE OF THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAS FAILED.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT FLASHER UNIT WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V221000

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

Oct 17, 1979
161,225 units potentially affected
The defect: THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING PLATE ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP FATIGUE CRACKS AT HIGH MILEAGE WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STEERING GEAR ATTACHMENT TO BECOME LOOSE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE CONSIDERABLE "FREE PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED TYPE OF STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BRACKET WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V220000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES

Sep 25, 1979
224,892 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AUTOMATIC COOLER LINE HOSES ON SOME OF THE SUSPECT VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN MATERIAL VOIDS, WHICH COMBINED WITH A HIGH THERMAL EXPANSION AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES, COULD RESULT IN HOSE FAILURE AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE.
The remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE COOLER LINE HOSES USING HOSES WITH KEVLAR BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V098000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Apr 17, 1979
23,725 units potentially affected
The defect: THE FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING MAY HAVE A LARGER THAN DESIRED INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE LOWER COIL WHERE IT RESTS ON THE SPRING SEAT. THIS COULD ALLOW THE SPRING TO BE FORCED OVER THE LOWER SPRING SEAT DUE TO SUSPENSION FORCES.
The remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE INCORRECT FRONT SUSPENSION COIL SPRINGS WITHOUT CHARGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V091000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 5, 1979
4,626 units potentially affected
The defect: FUEL HOSES MAY BE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED AND CONTACT THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE BOOT DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME, THE ROTATING BOOT COULD WEAR A HOLE IN THE FUEL HOSE, RESULTING IN FULE LEAKAGE.
The remedy: IF PROPER CLEARANCE IS NOT PRESENT, THE METAL FUEL PIPE WILL BE REFORMED UPWARDS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V090000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 5, 1979
4,382 units potentially affected
The defect: THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH CONTROL CABLE AND BRAKE PIPE IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS CAN RESULT IN RUBBING CONTACT WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS OPERATED. ALSO, THE BRAKE PIPE CLEARANCE TO THE TRANSMISSION CASE MAY BE INADEQUATE. IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, IT COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A FAILURE IN THE BRAKE PIPE, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PARTIAL LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION.
The remedy: THE CLUTCH CABLE ROUTING WILL BE REVISED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER, WITHOUT CHARGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
79V073000

SEATS

Mar 22, 1979
35 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "ANCHORAGE OF SEATS". THE LOCK BAR IN THE FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES MAY NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY AND THE ABILITY OF THE SEAT ADJUSTER TO MAINTAIN THE SEAT IN A LATCHED POSITION DURING AN ACCIDENT MAY BE REDUCED.
The remedy: BOTH FRONT SEAT ADJUSTER ASSEMBLIES WILL BE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

What a recall is

Safety recall
A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
Safety investigation
NHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
Manufacturer communication
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

EA87006ClosedEngineering Analysis

POWER ST. ASSIST

Opened Dec 16, 1986
Closed Sep 19, 1988

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======

STEERING
DP86020ClosedDefect Petition

EXPEDITE DETERMINATN OF DEFECT IN C84-01

Opened Sep 18, 1986
Closed Oct 6, 1986

EXPEDITE DETERMINATN OF DEFECT IN C84-01 POWER BRAKE ASSIST

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP83017ClosedDefect Petition

REAR WHEEL LOCKUP INVOLVING AFTERMARKET

Opened Sep 1, 1983
Closed Sep 22, 1983

REAR WHEEL LOCKUP INVOLVING AFTERMARKET REAR BRAKE LININGS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP83010ClosedDefect Petition

LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST (E80-100)

Opened Mar 29, 1983
Closed Jul 29, 1983

LOSS OF POWER BRAKE ASSIST (E80-100)

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DP83008ClosedDefect Petition

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

Opened Mar 23, 1983
Closed Jul 20, 1983

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DP83006ClosedDefect Petition

REAR BRAKE LOCKUP, EXPAND CASE C81-09 TO

Opened Nov 30, 1982
Closed Dec 8, 1982

REAR BRAKE LOCKUP, EXPAND CASE C81-09 TO COVER ALL MODEL YRS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Showing 6 of 7 inquiries on file for this model year, open ones first. Every one of them is listed on NHTSA.gov.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources