1996 Buick Skylark Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, NECK, CHEST, RIGHT SHOULDER, AND MOUTH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,818.

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ON MAY 5 2016, 10 PM, WENT OUT TO PUT WINDOWS UP IN CAR, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY,OPENED DOOR, LEANED IN TO TURN ON KEY, WHEN I TURNED ON KEY, HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION, TWO THOUGHTS BEFORE I BLACKED OUT, THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT & WHAT THE HELL WAS PULLING ME BACKWARDS SO FAST, CAME TO IN A FEW SECONDS LAYING ON THE GROUND, NOTICED THAT AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED, COULD NOT GET UP & CRAWLED TO HOUSE, THIS WAS A VERY VIOLENT & TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, WENT TO HOSPITAL WHERE THEY XRAYED MY NECK & FOUND NO BROKEN BONES, MY FACE WAS ACTUALLY 2 TO 3 INCHES AWAY FROM STEERING WHEEL WHEN DEPLOYMENT HAPPENED, I BELIEVE THE ATTACHED HINGE PARTS THAT OPENED WHEN BAG DEPLOYED ACTUALLY HIT ME IN FACE, BRUISED LIP & BLOOD BLISTERS ON LEFT SIDE OF MY FACE, THOUGH MY NECK WAS NOT BROKEN, HOSPITAL DID NOT CHECK ME FOR CUNCUSION PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT I DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE, I AM POSITIVE I HAD ONE, STILL HAVING PROBLEMS FOCUSING, ALONG WITH EXCESSIVE FORGETFULNESS, FOR THREE DAYS I COULD FEEL THAT MY BODY HAD BEEN TWISTED AWAY FROM MY SPINE, THIS WAS VERY VIOLENT AND HOPE THAT IT NEVER HAPPENS TO ANYONE ELSE, STILL RECOVERING.

CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON 1996 BUICK SKYLARK REAR BRAKING SYSTEM. *MR *NM

WHEN PUTTING ON BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES AND PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN. NEITHER THE SPEEDOMETER NOR THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED ACCURATE READINGS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE THE CONTACT'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V070000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86,000.

WHILE ON VACATION WE TOOK A TRIP. ON THE WAY HOME AT NIGHT ALL ELECTRICITY DEVICES STARTED TO DIE. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE DIED AND WOULDN'T START. I HAD IT TOWED HOME AND IT HASN'T STARTED SINCE. I TURN THE KEY AND GET NOTHING. WHEN I TURN THE KEY ON, THE PASSLOCK SYSTEM LIGHT IS LIT AND NEVER GOES OUT. THE BATTERY IS FULLY CHARGED AND I CAN START THE CAR IF I JUMP THE STARTER BUT NOT FROM THE KEY. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL DEVICES WORK FINE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 35 MPH, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING FLUID. ON JUNE 22, 2006, A RADIATOR WAS INSTALLED AT 2,000 MILES. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OFFERED TO RE-DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE INSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AT THE SAME RATE. THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN; HOWEVER, IT CONTINUES TO LEAK FLUID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED ANTIFREEZE ONTO THE MOTOR, WHICH THEN LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE RESIDED IN THE LOWER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THEY WOULD REPAIR IT FOR A FEE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,992 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS AND THERE WERE TWO RIGHT HAND SEAT BELTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 8/29/14*CN

I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT TWISTS ON ME ALL OF THE TIME MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR ME TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT. I HAVE BEEN MEANING TO FILE A REPORT BUT KEPT PUTTING IT OFF UNTIL TODAY WHEN I RECEIVED MORE GRIEF AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AGAIN. THE REPLY FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER, BOB CRIPPEN,WAS THAT I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO UNTWIST IT SO WHY DO I KEEP BRINGING IT UP. I TOLD HIM THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW EFFECTIVE THE SEAT BELT WOULD BE WITH A CRASH AND WAS TOLD IT WAS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT,THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT, ALL I COULD THINK WAS I MIGHT DIE WITH IT. AT THE FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH HIM HE TOLD BE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN I COMPLAINED. IT STARTED WITH THE ORGINAL BELT AND THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYMORE ABOUT IT. THE DEALERSHIP EVEN TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO WORK A SEATBELT. THE CAR WENT IN FOR ITS FINAL WARRANTY WORK ON 3/13 AND WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 3/14 WITH THE SEAT BELT SO TWISTED I CAN NOT UNTWIST IT AND ALSO AT THIS TIME I HAVE A RIGHT HAND IN A CAST. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAST WAS UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND I SAID BEFORE THEY TAUGHT ME HOW TO UNTWIST IT SO WHY WAS I COMPLAINING?AT THIS TIME I HAVE BECOME SO FRUSTRATED WITH THE SITUATION I FINALLY DECIDE TO CONTACT YOU. WHAT SHOULD I DO? CAN YOY HELP? AM I BEING UNREASONABLE/ IF I AM PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT EVEN IN THIS DAY AND AGE WOMEN STILL TEND TO BE IGNORED BY CARE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. WILL YOU KEEP ME INFORMED. THANK YOU. CHRISTINE BARKAUSKAS. *AK

FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE CONSUMER WAS WARMING UP THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ONE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FRONT WINDSHIELD BROKE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S POWER DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW LOCK DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR RIMS. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. MR

4 WHEEL RIMS BENT - NO ACCIDENT. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.

HEAD LIGHTS FAILED.

SEAT BELT FAILED.

VEH HAS TWO RECALLS #96V24900-STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN UNDER TORQUED PINCH BOLT CAN RATTLE AND CAUSE LOOSENESS IN STEERING SYSTEM (CAUSING GRINDING NOISE). *AK

SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 01/17/97, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: EMERGENCHY/PARKING BRAKE POPS OUT WHEN PARKING THE CAR AND PUTTING PARKING BRAKE ON, BRAKES FAIL TO PERFORM PROPERLY AND BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN EXCESSIVLY, DASH BOARD (CHECK ENGINE, ABS, ETS, SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS WHEN WEARING AND DOESNT BLINK WHEN NOT WEARING OCCASSIONALLY, THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BUT I DO NOT HAVE A THEFT SYSTEM)AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON SPARATICALLY, SOMETIMES THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR OF OFF AND NO ONE NEAR CAR, RECALL WAS PERFORMED SINCE THAN IT ONLY HAPPENS ABOUT HALF AS MUCH. 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING CAR THE KEY WAS STUCK IN IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OR COME OUT, CALLED BUICK THEY TOLD ME TO JIGGLE THE STEERING AND MANUALLY PUSH THE CAR BACK AND FORTH THAN TRY IT, RECENTLY WHEN IT HAPPENED WE TRIED FOR 3 HOURS AND THEY SUGGESTED, AS I QUOTE GM ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE FOR US "TO POUND ON THE KEY ABOUT 20 TIMES LIKE YOU WERE POUNDING A NAIL WITH A HAMMER" WE WERE STUCK 50 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER. ON THE ELECTRICAL SOMETIMES THE CLOCK AND RADIO STATIONS WILL RESET WITHOUT BATTERY TOUCHED OR ANYTHING ELSE TOUCHED, WINDOW MOTORS GO BAD, WHILE UNDER WARRANTY DEALER REPLACED INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR BEZEL (ONLY THE INSIDE PLASTIC TRIANGLE PART) CAUSE IT WAS COMING OFF, THE WORK ORDER SHOWS NEW PART PUT IN BUT THEY JUST STUCK A BUNCH OF EPOXY IN IT AND STUCK THE OLD ONE BACK ON. WHEN COMPLAINING CONSTANTLY TO THE SERVICE MGR ITS USUALLY "YOU HAVE A BAD BATTERY" "A FUSE" "MODULE" AT ONE TIME THEY CHANGED THE ALARM MODULE TWICE WITHIN A MATTER OF 4 - 6 MONTHS LEADING ME TO BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE LIGHTS ARE NOT ON ALL THE TIME, IT HAPPENS SPARATICALLY THAT THEY ARE JUST REPLACING SIMPLE PARTS TO SHOW THEY REPAIRED PROBLEM, SALES MANAGER SAID FUSES AND MODULES ARE COMMONLY BEING REPLACED. TWICE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPR, ENGINE TURNED OFF AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, STEARING LOCKED. I HEAR CLICKING AND/OR RUBBING SOUNDS COMING FROM FRONT WHLEFT S

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS WET. THE DEALERS DIAGNOSIS INDICATED THE SDM HAD FAILED. THE AIR BAG MODULE DEPLOYED SUDDENLY DURING NORMAL DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES BECAUSE THE SDM WAS WET AND DAMAGED AND SHORTED OUT. *YH

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS OFF TRACK. HIS CAUSES A PROBLEM WHEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOOR. WHEN SLAMMING THE DOOR SHUT, IT HAS TO BE LIFTED UP 3/4 OF AN INCH TO SHUT EVENLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE BUCKS AND THEN JUMPS INTO GEAR AND TAKES OFF. DEALER HAS DONE NOTHING. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING. *CJ

AT 28,000 MILES VEHICLE HAD AN INTERMITTENT RESTARTING PROBLEM. VEHICLE BEEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND AT A DEALER SHOP ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND BOTH WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START SEVERAL TIMES. DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR, FUEL SYSTEM BUT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COMPUTER AND CLUSTER ARE NOW BEING REPAIRED AS A CAUSE OF STALLING. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET IS LEAKING. *YH

AFTER RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE ON WIRE HARNESS VEHICLE WOULD START INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE BEEN BACK TO DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS ,AND PROBLEM STILL REOCURRING. PH....*AK

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR COLLISION WITH A 96 BUICK SKYLARK WHICH WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, YIELDING TRAFFIC AT A TRAFFIC CIRCLE. THE CAR THAT STRUCK ME WAS AT A RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE IMPACT CAUSED BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS TO COLLAPSE. BOTH SEATS DID NOT RETAIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION AND WERE PARTIALLY RECLINED FROM THE ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD BE A DEFECT OF THE SEATS AS THE SEATS SHOULD NOT HAVE RECLINED AND MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE MUSCULAR INJURIES SUFFERED BY MYSELF AND THE PASSENGER. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED.

MOUSE NEST IN BLOWER CAUSED FIRE IN VENT SYSTEM.

I PURCHASED FOUR NEW BRIDGESTONE TIRES (19570S14 BS WTHRFRCB) FOR MY SON'S CAR (1996 BUICK SKYLARK - 6 CYL) IN APRIL 2005 AT SEARS AT OXMOOR CENTER IN LOUISVILLE. ON TUE AUG 16, 2005, HE WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY STREET ON HIS WAY TO WORK WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT, ACTUALLY DISINTEGRATED. WHEN I SAW IT, IT HAD HOLES ALL AROUND THE SIDEWALL, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIRE LIKE THIS. IT LOOKED LIKE SOME ONE HAD SHOT AT IT WITH A MACHINE GUN. THERE WERE PIECES OF THE TIRE ALONG THE STREET AND IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE HE STOPPED. MY SON PUT ON THE SPARE AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO SEARS WHERE IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AND WAS NOT ON AN EXPRESSWAY. THIS WAS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH BRIDGESTONE TIRES, AND I DO NOT INTEND TO BUY ANY MORE. *NM

ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL TO ENGAGE.

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT SURGING; ALSO, REAR WINDSHIELD GASKET/HORN/MIRROR CONTROL/TRANSMISSION/EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE FAILED. *AK