The Buick Skyhawk has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1982–1989. On average a defect was admitted 11 years after the car was built, the slowest took 24 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (5 campaigns). Owners also filed 4 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Buick Skyhawk
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Fuel System, Gasoline 5 Read
What's wrong. 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
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
Fix. 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)
What's wrong. A fuel tank leak could occur due to small creases on the tank underside cracking during pressure cycling which occurs during normal operation
Risk. In presence of an ignition source, this condition couldresult in a fire
Fix. Replace fuel tank
What's wrong. 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
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
Fix. 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)
Engine And Engine Cooling 2 Read
What's wrong. The engine air cleaner plastic trim cover could fall off the air cleaner assembly and land on the exhaust manifold creating a fire hazard. Consequence of defect: if the car is being operated at the time that the plastic trim cover falls off, an engine compartment fire could occur without warning
Fix. Remove the trim cover and discard
What's wrong. Internal corrosion of pulsair check valve assembly could permit exhaust gas to melt the plastic shut off valve and draw valve pieces into the air cleaner and throttle body
Risk. If valve pieces lodge against throttle plate, engine maynot return to idle resulting in loss accelerator control and possibly a crash
Fix. Replace pulsair check valve and shut off valve with newly designed valves
Seats 2 Read
What's wrong. The metal floor pan anchor bar could fatigue and break around the left front outer seat adjuster stud of the drivers seat, allowing the stud to separate from the floor pan anchor bar
Risk. Drivers seat could tip rearward unexpectedly; this couldresult in loss of control and a vehicle crash without prior warning
Fix. Install a reinforcement bracket on the floor pan anchor bar at the left front outer seat adjuster position of the drivers seat
What's wrong. Some vehicles have bucket seat back locks that do not conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard 207, anchorage of seats. In event of a crash, the seat back lock may not function
Fix. Inspection of seat back locks will be performed. Locks that have bent, broken or missing hooks will be replaced
What's wrong. The metal floor pan anchor bar could fatigue and break around the left front outer seat adjuster stud of the drivers seat, allowing the stud to separate from the floor pan anchor bar
Risk. Drivers seat could tip rearward unexpectedly; this couldresult in loss of control and a vehicle crash without prior warning
Fix. Install a reinforcement bracket on the floor pan anchor bar at the left front outer seat adjuster position of the drivers seat
Parking Brake 1 Read
What's wrong. Parking brake lever mechanisms may not properly engage when applied as required by fmvss 105. Consequence of defect: vehicle could unexpectedly roll away uncontrolled, which could result in a vehicle crash
Fix. Replace parking brake lever assembly
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. Incorrect tail lamp lens were installed, lens do not conform to fmvss 108, lamp reflective device and associated equipment. Consequence of defect: in times of reduced visibility, an approaching vehicle may not be aware of this vehicle which could result in a vehicle crash without prior warning
Fix. Correct tail lamp lens will be installed
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 1 Read
What's wrong. The brake proportioner valves may break and separate from the master cylinder. This would allow brake fluid to leak and would result in a partial loss of the brake system
Fix. The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace all suspect valves
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 11 years |
| Slowest campaign | 24 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 50% |
| Campaigns on record | 12 |
Which Skyhawk years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Buick Skyhawk have?
12 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1982–1989. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Skyhawk still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 11 years, and the slowest campaign came 24 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.