TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE LOST CO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF COMPLETELY IN ORDER TO STOP THE WHEELS FROM SPINNING AFTER THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. A MECHANIC FROM THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE CABLE THAT OPERATES THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNED BACKWARDS AND JAMMED THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 123,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10205314
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL AND ENGINE REVVED, AND TOOK OFF IN TRAFFIC. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *YH
NHTSA ODI #8015429
Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 1998
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR HAS KILLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN MAY WITH MANY OF THEM COMING AT LOW TO ACCELERATING SPEEDS AND CROSSING IN TRAFFIC. I'VE ALSO HAD SEVERAL ACCELARATION STICKINGS WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THIS DISTURBS ME VERY MUCH BECAUSE IT BECOMES HARDER TO STOP THE CAR. I'VE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS EVER …
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MY CAR HAS KILLED ON ME SEVERAL TIMES SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN MAY WITH MANY OF THEM COMING AT LOW TO ACCELERATING SPEEDS AND CROSSING IN TRAFFIC. I'VE ALSO HAD SEVERAL ACCELARATION STICKINGS WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THIS DISTURBS ME VERY MUCH BECAUSE IT BECOMES HARDER TO STOP THE CAR. I'VE GOTTEN NO RESPONSE THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS EVER DONE THIS EACH TIME IT IS SENT TO BE LOOKED AT (THREE OCCASSIONS) AND ACCORDING TO THEIR PAPERWORK THEY NEVER TEST DROVE THE CAR, SEEING THAT THE MILEAGE WAS THE SAME AS WHEN I DROPPED THE CAR OFF. THEY'VE ALREADY SAID THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS TO BE REPLACED BUT I'M WORRIED THAT MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS THAT AND OTHER PROBLEMS. I'D APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU COULD GIVE ME IN DEALING WITH THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. SINCERELY, JAMES ALEXANDER
NHTSA ODI #700869
Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED IT WILL THROTTLE VERY LOW AS IF IT IS GOING TO DIE. WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES IT THROTTLES VERY HIGH.
NHTSA ODI #541611
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH THE CABLE ACCELERATOR SNAPPED, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826961
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 1998
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE THROTTLE STICKS, CAUSING VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
THE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER WAS OMITTED. WITHOUT THIS COVER, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BOLT ON THE FUSE BLOCK IS EXPOSED AND CAN CONTACT THE INSULATED NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE. IF THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.
DURING ASSEMBLY OF THE LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL, SOME WELDS WERE MISSED. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION, THE VEHICLE SHEET METAL STRUCTURE WILL NOT PERFORM AS DESIGNED CAUSING UNEXPECTED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK OR FUEL LINES, RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKAGE. IF THIS IS A FUEL LEAK AND AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE MISSING WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE THREE WHELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS APPLYING PRIMER, SEALER AND ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS.
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
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1997 Buick Skylark Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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