RoadVitals

1989 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.
4
Latest Apr 20, 1999
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.
3
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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Buick Skylark, most frequently naming the fuel system, electrical and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Fuel system222.2%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Engine111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Steering111.1%
  • Suspension111.1%
  • Brakes111.1%
  • Transmission111.1%

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

3 campaigns 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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

Fuel system
Filed Apr 20, 1999
Fire reported

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND AFTER STARTING IT, VEHICLE EXPLODED AND BURST INTO FLAMES, RESULTING IN A FIRE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
836873
Incident
Apr 1, 1996
Transmission
Filed Dec 31, 1996

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

NHTSA ID
602438
Incident
Oct 23, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Apr 11, 1996
Fire reported

FUEL FEED HOSE RUPTURED AND LEAKED FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING A FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
982646
Incident
Apr 5, 1996
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Apr 11, 1996

HEAD GASKET REPLACED 2 TIMES. *SD

NHTSA ID
503281
Incident
Apr 11, 1996

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

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
1989Viewing430—
1988144264.6
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.