RoadVitals

1988 Buick Skylark

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
14
Latest Feb 23, 2001
Safety recallsA 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.
4
Latest May 19, 2006
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.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Buick Skylark, most frequently naming the driver assistance, brakes and engine categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 3 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Driver assistance320.0%
  • Brakes320.0%
  • Engine213.3%
  • Seat belts213.3%
  • Suspension16.7%
  • Tires & wheels16.7%
  • Electrical16.7%
  • Fuel system16.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
92V150000

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

Oct 19, 1992
108,836 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
90V042000

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

Mar 5, 1990
61,765 units potentially affected
The defect: FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
The risk: LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA90041ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

Opened Aug 29, 1990
Closed Mar 30, 1992

===

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA89010ClosedEngineering Analysis

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

Opened Jan 17, 1989
Closed May 8, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 14
Suspension
Filed Feb 23, 2001

WHILE DRIVING OVER RAILROAD VEHICLE WILL START SHAKING. CONSUMER HAS TO STOP, THEN VEHICLE WILL DRIVE FINE. SOMETIMES HAS TO KEEP ACCELERATING SO ENGINE WON'T SHUT DOWN.*AK

NHTSA ID
881327
Incident
Feb 23, 2001
Filed Sep 15, 2000

PAINT IS PEELING BADLY. VARIOUS SOURCES OF INFORMATION INDICATE A DEFECT WITH CERTAIN NEW PAINT FORMULAS USED DURING THE MID TO LATE 1980'S CAUSING CHIPPING AND PEELING ON NUMEROUS MODELS OF VEHICLES MADE DURING THIS PERIOD. NO SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ID
731519
Seat belts
Filed Apr 8, 1999

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
705437
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 22, 1998
Crash reported

STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PUT THE GEAR IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS WITHOUT PUTTING FOOT ON GAS PEDAL. PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S BACK YARD AND HIT A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
822708
Incident
Apr 18, 1998
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 1998

INADEQUATE OR SOFT BRAKES CONTRIBUTED TO A CRASH.

NHTSA ID
532785
Incident
Oct 1, 1997
BrakesEngineTires & wheels
Filed Nov 4, 1997

BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ID
604473
Fuel system
Filed Oct 27, 1997
Fire reported

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND CAR CUT OFF, RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. RAISED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. INSURANCE EXPERT SAID CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FROM FUEL FEED HOSE . *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
817637
Incident
Oct 7, 1997
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 6, 1997

WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE IS STILL ACCELERATES. CAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION IS UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
815105
Incident
Jun 4, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

000524001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

INFORMATION REGARDING SNOW INTRUSION INTO REAR DRUM BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. **MR

476147A

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW

476147

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

RATTLING NOISE/ENGINE OVERHEATING. *TW

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Buick Skylark by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2000100—
1998243052.3
1997795052.3
1996856054.4
1995851149.5
1994682156.4
1993461042.6
1992323156.9
1991382157.9
1990192152.2
1989430—
1988Viewing144264.6
1987023—
1986822—
1985613—
1984842—
1983112—
1982331—
1981123—
1980097—
1979020—
1978030—
1977030—
1975010—
1971010—
1970010—
1968010—
1967020—
1966010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.