The Buick Skylark has 33 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1998. On average a defect was admitted 5.68 years after the car was built, the slowest took 22 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (11 campaigns). Owners also filed 393 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Buick Skylark
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 11 Read
What's wrong. Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister may leak fuel
Risk. A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. A fuel leak can result in a fire
Fix. Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443
What's wrong. Certain delphi aftermarket fuel pump modules / module reservoir assemblies (mra) that were sold for use on the above listed vehicles. During production the mras vent and fuel return tubes were reversed. This condition can result in the vehicle not running correctly (idle rough and/or stall) due to an overly rich fuel blend or the vehicle's evaporative emission carbon canister may leak fuel
Risk. A stalled vehicle can increase the risk of a vehicle crash. A fuel leak can result in a fire
Fix. Delphi will notify owners and replace the defective mras free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 1-877-335-7443
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. 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
Fix. Dealers will inspect for the missing welds and, if necessary, place three whelds between the involved panels applying primer, sealer and anti-corrosion materials
Electrical System 6 Read
What's wrong. 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
Risk. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed. The fire could spread to the interior of the car, which could injure occupants or cause damage to adjoining structures
Fix. Dealers will install a relay kit in these vehicles to prevent high current from flowing through the ignition switch, and check that your car will start with a properly charged battery and, if necessary, replace the ignition switch. Owner notification will begin on march 1, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed
Fix. 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…
What's wrong. 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
Risk. This high current flow can cause arcing and result in an underhood fire
Fix. Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center
Steering 2 Read
What's wrong. The steering column lower pinch bolt was not properly tightened during assembly
Risk. An undertorqued pinch bolt can rattle and cause looseness in the steering system. If the pinch bolt backed out of the joint completely, rotation of the steering shaft against the connector could cause increasing looseness in the steering system and result in loss of steering and an accident
Fix. Dealers will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque
What's wrong. The involved vehicles may have been assembled with the power steering hose incorrectly routed. The power steering hose may then contact the exhaust manifold, resulting in deterioration and eventual failure of the hose and leakage of power steering fluid onto the exhaust manifold
Fix. The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the hoses and inlet pipe and add a clip at no charge to owner
Power Train 2 Read
What's wrong. A misadjustment of the park lock cable in the column shift assembly makes it possible for the steering column to lock while the vehicle is in motion and the ignition switch is in the off position
Risk. Locking of the steering column while the vehicle is inmotion results in loss of control and increased risk of a vehicle crash
Fix. Adjust the park lock cable, and reroute and restrain the brake transmission shift interlock harness and connector
What's wrong. The clutch cable may rub against the master cylinder brake pipe when the clutch pedal is operated. Continued operation of the vehicle may result in wear through of the insulation on the clutch cable. The resulting metal on metal contact could lead to failure of the brake pipe, loss of brake fluid, and partial loss of brake action
Fix. Dealer will inspect and, if necessary, correct system by providing a minimum 1/2 inch clearance between clutch cable and brake pipe to avoid metal on metal contact
Seats 2 Read
What's wrong. The passenger's side easy-entry seat adjuster may fail fully lock into position after the seat back has been tilted forward and the seat slid forward, then returned to its original postition
Risk. If the seat adjuster fails to lock into position, thepassenger seat would slide forward in the event of a sudden stop or accident.occupants of the passenger seat would face increased risk of serious injury
Fix. Replace the adjuster assembly on the 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
Exterior Lighting 2 Read
What's wrong. Unexpected loss of tail lamp and side marker lamp function may occur, reducing other drivers ability to see the vehicle
Risk. This could lead to a vehicle crash without prior warningin conditions of poor visibility, severe weather or nighttime
Fix. Replace headlight switch panel
What's wrong. Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup
Risk. Headlights would cycle on and off. Sudden loss ofheadlights under severe weather or nightimer driving conditions could resultin a vehicle crash
Fix. Replace headlight switch with modified switch
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2 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
What's wrong. Rear brake hoses may have been manufactured incorrectly when the metal end fittings were installed. Some rear brake hoses may separate from the metal end fittings when subjected to the pulling force specified by federal motor vehicle safety standard 106, "brake hoses"
Fix. The dealer will inspect and replace, if necessary, the rear brake hoses at no charge to owners
Fuel System, Other 1 Read
What's wrong. Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer
Risk. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770
What's wrong. Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer
Risk. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770
What's wrong. Certain delphi fuel pressure regulators, p/nos. Fp10020-11b1, fp10026-11b1, and fp10027-11b1, sold after january 9, 2007, as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles listed above. The universal pressure regulators (upr) were produced without an o'ring and retainer
Risk. Fuel may leak, possibly resulting in a fire
Fix. Delphi will notify owners and replace the upr free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners can contact delphi at 877-411-8770
Interior Lighting 1 Read
What's wrong. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were built with the potential for the interior lamps to come on unexpectedly while the vehicles are being driven. This does not meet the requirements of fmvss no. 101, "controls and displays."
Risk. The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident
Fix. Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it
Air Bags 1 Read
What's wrong. During deployment of the passenger air bag, the air bag fabric can snag on a reinforcement inside the instrument panel, causing the expanding air bag to lift the instrument panel pad and then deploy under the instrument panel instead of through the door in the instrument panel
Risk. In a crash, the front seat passenger could receive more severe injuries if he or she contacts a broken reinforcement or if the snagging affects the deployment of the air bag
Fix. Dealers will inspect the instrument panel pads and, if necessary, install a plastic edge protector to the instrument panel pad reinforcement. On certain early-production vehicles, the instrument panel pad will be replaced
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 | 5.68 years |
| Slowest campaign | 22 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 43.9% |
| Campaigns on record | 33 |
Which Skylark 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Electrical System | |
| 1997 | Electrical System | |
| 1996 | Electrical System | |
| 1995 | Electrical System | |
| 1994 | Electrical System | |
| 1993 | Electrical System | |
| 1992 | Seats | |
| 1991 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1990 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Vehicle Speed Control | |
| 1984 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1983 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 1982 | Power Train | |
| 1981 | Steering |
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 Skylark have?
33 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1998. 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 Skylark 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 5.68 years, and the slowest campaign came 22 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.