The most-reported Skylark run is 1G4NJ52M8TC (1996 builds) with 9 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 19% of reports; 1996 is the worst model year at 2.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 33 recall campaigns for Skylark model years 1981–1998.
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 Skylark has 249 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 8% of every Skylark complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G4NJ52M8TC•••••• | 1996 | 1 | — | |
| 1G4NV55M3SC•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52M6WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52T4VC•••••• | 1997 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52M1TC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4NV55M2SC•••••• | 1995 | 2 | — | |
| 1G4NJ52M0TC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4NV55M8SC•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4NV55M5SC•••••• | 1995 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52MXTC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4NJ52M5TC•••••• | 1996 | — | — | |
| 1G4NV55M2RC•••••• | 1994 | 2 | 1 |
Each of the other 237 Skylark runs has 4 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Buick Skylark the gap between build years is 2.2×: a 1996 car draws 2.2 complaints per run, a 1985 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 17 | 10 | — | |
| 1997 | 63 | 38 | 6 | |
| 1996 | 65 | 29 | 5 | |
| 1995 | 67 | 38 | 7 | |
| 1994 | 50 | 32 | 7 | |
| 1993 | 31 | 20 | 4 | |
| 1992 | 27 | 20 | 3 | |
| 1991 | 23 | 20 | 3 | |
| 1990 | 15 | 13 | — | |
| 1989 | 4 | 3 | — | |
| 1988 | 9 | 9 | 2 | |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 1984 | 7 | 5 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1996 at 2.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1985 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 19% of everything Buick Skylark owners report: Electrical System, 72 of 393 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 6 | 1 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 2 | |
| Hydraulic | 5 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 14 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | — | |
| Steering | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belts | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 33 recall campaigns on the Buick Skylark; the 6 below cover build years 1984 to 1998. 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 | 1984–1991 |
| 07E015000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1996–1998 |
| 07E021000 | Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:pressure Relief Devices | 1996–1998 |
| 02V070000 | Electrical System:ignition:switch | 1996–1997 |
| 00V287000 | Electrical System:starter Assembly | 1994–1995 |
| 92V150000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 1988–1989 |
The Skylark against its rivals
The Skylark draws 1.6 complaints per production run; the Saab 900 1.2, the Chevrolet Beretta 1.4 and the Ford Contour 3.7.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Skylark | 393 | 249 | 9.4% | |
| Saab 900 | 257 | 220 | 6.6% | |
| Chevrolet Beretta | 386 | 273 | 10.4% | |
| Ford Contour | 2,479 | 663 | 5% |
How serious were they
Of the 393 reports on the Buick Skylark, 9.4% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Buick Skylark | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 393 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 37 (9.4%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (3.8%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 34 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 62% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Buick Skylark share of that is 393 complaints over 249 runs, 0.04% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Buick Skylark VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 393 NHTSA complaints from 249 Skylark runs and 33 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Skylark production run has the most complaints?
1G4NJ52M8TC, a 1996 build, with 9 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Skylark run has 1.6.
Which Skylark years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1996 is heaviest at 2.2 complaints per run and 1985 lightest at 1.
Does the Skylark get more complaints than the Saab 900?
Yes: 1.6 complaints per production run for the Skylark against 1.2 for the Saab 900.
How many Skylark complaints involve a crash?
9.4% of 393 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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