Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 38 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
38 reports
Mileage unknown · May 13, 1999
SeatsInjury
MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT IN THE REAR BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. WE BOTH HAD SEAT BELTS ON. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT " BROKE SLAMMING ME DOWN HARD. I CAME TO STAIRING UP AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WAS PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR CO. EXPAIRMENTED WITH BREAKAWA…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE AND I WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN HIT IN THE REAR BY A CAR GOING ABOUT 45 MPH. WE BOTH HAD SEAT BELTS ON. MY "THE DRIVERS SEAT " BROKE SLAMMING ME DOWN HARD. I CAME TO STAIRING UP AT THE ROOF OF THE CAR, AND WAS PARILIZED FOR ABOUT 1/2 HOUR. I HAVE HEARD THAT BUICK AND TWO OTHER CAR CO. EXPAIRMENTED WITH BREAKAWAY SEATS IN 1991. IF SO I THINK THEY SHOULD ALL BE RECALLED AND THE SEATS REPLACED, AS I AM SURE MY INJURIES WERE MUCH WORSE THAN MY WIFES BECAUSE OF MY SEAT SLAMMING ME DOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #706473
Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling
OIL CHANGED PER MANUAL. NEVER USED FOR TOWING.
NHTSA ODI #704637
Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 1999
Seat BeltsSteering
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #703030
Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 1999
Structure
DUE TO POOR QUALITY CONTROL THE PAINT HAS CONTINUED TO PEEL OFF THE BODY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702876
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT APPROX. 50 MPH WHEN ENGINE SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING; DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #830549
Mileage unknown · Nov 10, 1998
Electrical System
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT OUT. THE POWER OUTAGE WAS DUE TO THE COMPUTER CHIPS IN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE WAS SELF DESTRUCTED. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A METAL SOUND. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF.
NHTSA ODI #830542
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE IS DEFECTIVE, CAUSING OIL IN THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKS, AND BLACK SMOKE COMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #827369
Mileage unknown · May 27, 1998
Power TrainInjury
INTERLOCK SYSTEM IN TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
NHTSA ODI #535967
Mileage unknown · May 14, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
COMING UPON A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, VEHICLE WOULD START MAKING CLANKING NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #823339
Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WENT BACKWARDS WHILE IN PARK POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED ,THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE PARK POSITION. *AK
MOISTURE CAN ENTER THE EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT CAUSES WINDOW OPERATION WITHOUT OPERATOR CONTROL, AND LEAVES THE WINDOW IN THE DOWN POSITION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WILL FAIL FROM OVERHEATINGAND COULD RESULT IN A FIRE HAZARD INSIDE THE DOOR PANEL.
Remedy: REPLACE THE WINDOW EXPRESS-DOWN ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE92039 · Brake Caliper Corrosion
Opened Apr 15, 1992 · Closed Aug 14, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
1991 Buick Skylark Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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