The most-reported Skyhawk run is 1G4JS81K7HK (1987 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Tires problems make up 25% of reports; NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for Skyhawk model years 1982–1989.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Buick Skyhawk has 4 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 100% of every Skyhawk complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4JS81K7HK•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| 1G4JS81K4HK•••••• | 1987 | — | 1 | |
| 1G4JS8U5KJ4•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52M6WC•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Buick Skyhawk owners report: Tires, 1 of 4 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 12 recall campaigns on the Buick Skyhawk; the 6 below cover build years 1982 to 1989. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E043000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1982–1989 |
| 87V079000 | Seats | 1983–1984 |
| 88V189000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 1989 |
| 87V184000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 1987 |
| 86V128000 | Parking Brake:conventional:mechanical | 1987 |
| 85V149000 | Exterior Lighting | 1986 |
The Skyhawk against its rivals
The Skyhawk draws 1 complaints per production run; the BMW M3 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Skyhawk | 4 | 4 | 0% | |
| BMW M3 | 286 | 192 | 5.6% |
How serious were they
| Outcome | Buick Skyhawk | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 4 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 0 (0%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (25%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Buick Skyhawk share of that is 4 complaints over 4 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Skyhawk VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 4 NHTSA complaints from 4 Skyhawk runs and 12 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Skyhawk production run has the most complaints?
1G4JS81K7HK, a 1987 build, with 1 complaints. The typical Skyhawk run has 1.
Does the Skyhawk get more complaints than the BMW M3?
No: 1 complaints per production run for the Skyhawk against 1.5 for the BMW M3.
How many Skyhawk complaints involve a crash?
0% of 4 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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