RoadVitals

1990 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.
19
Latest Aug 31, 2003
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.
2
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.
1
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1990 Buick Skylark, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; 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

  • Electrical618.2%
  • Engine515.2%
  • Body & structure39.1%
  • Steering39.1%
  • Suspension39.1%
  • Transmission39.1%
  • Interior & seats26.1%
  • Fuel system26.1%

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

2 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
90V119000

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

Jun 15, 1990
3,202 units potentially affected
The defect: IMPROPERLY TORQUED CONNECTIONS OF FRONT FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSES TO FUEL PIPES AT THE BODY RAIL COULD LOOSEN AND LEAK FUEL INTO THE UNDERHOOD AREA.
The risk: FUEL LEAKS IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULDRESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
The remedy: PROPERLY TORQUE THE FRONT FUEL FEED AND RETURN HOSES AT THE BODY RAIL LINES TO PREVENT FUEL LEAKAGE.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE92039ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION

Opened Apr 15, 1992
Closed Aug 14, 1992

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 19
ElectricalTransmission
Filed Aug 31, 2003

1990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS .ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10036945
Incident
Jan 27, 2000
Fuel systemTransmission
Filed Feb 6, 2003

TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD JOLTING BANG WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR WHETHER IT IS IN DRIVE,REVERSE OR PARK. DRIVER ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHEN IN DRIVE GEAR. ALSO HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL LINE HOSE, WHICH DURING MORNING CAR WARM-UP, CAR STARTED SMOKING, WHICH CAME FROM UNDER CAR FROM THE VAC. LINE(FUEL LINE). HAD THE LINE REPAIRED BUT TRANNY IS STILL A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10005389
Incident
Feb 1, 2003
Mileage
138,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 6, 2003

STEERING RACK AND PINION AS WELL AS GEAR BOX. SEVERE GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL,EVEN AT A SLIGHT TURN. BEEN REPAIRED BUT IT IS STILL DOING IT.

NHTSA ID
10005387
Incident
Jan 31, 2003
Mileage
138,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 11, 2001

MAIN REAR BUMPER SUPPORT HAS RUSTED AWAY - IT'S GONE. GM CLAIMS BECAUSE THE WARRANTY IS EXPIRED, THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE CAR ONLY HAS APPROX 103,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GREAT SHAPE! ALL I WANT IS A RECALL FOR THEM TO REPLACE THIS BUMPER SO I CAN SELL IT WITH A CLEAR CONCIENCE!

NHTSA ID
745189
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 26, 2001

VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB

NHTSA ID
884075
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
Electrical
Filed Mar 1, 2001

CONSUMER HAS REPLACED ALTERNATOR FOUR TIMES. A MECHANIC WAS TELLING HIM "ALTERNATOR WAS BUILT TOO FRAGILE FOR AMOUNT OF AMPAGE." PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
881842
Incident
Dec 1, 2000
Steering
Filed Jul 18, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING TURNS VEHICLE IS HARD TO STEER. CONTACTED DEALER . STEERING MECHANISM HAS RUSTED AND LOOSENED FROM THE FIREWALLS.*AK

NHTSA ID
865601
Incident
Mar 30, 2000
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Feb 4, 1999

STEERING WHEEL HORN FAILED.

NHTSA ID
543699

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
1990Viewing192152.2
1989430—
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.