Model year record

1996 Buick Skylark

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 116 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V070000

Electrical system: ignition: switch

Component
Electrical system: ignition: switch
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,589,948
Reported to NHTSA
2002-03-06
Owners notified
2002-03-27

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V027000

Interior lighting

Component
Interior lighting
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
249,420
Reported to NHTSA
1998-02-17
Owners notified
1998-02-28

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

THE INTERIOR LAMPS COMING ON UNEXPECTEDLY COULD STARTLE A DRIVER CAUSING A MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V249000

Steering: steering wheel/handle bar

Component
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
424
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-17
Owners notified
1997-01-06

Defect description

THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V211000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
48,689
Reported to NHTSA
1996-10-28
Owners notified
1996-11-04

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: frontal1082,000 mi
Air bags797,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip7
Unknown or other5
Electrical system: ignition: switch4
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control4
Seat belts: front: anchorage4
Electrical system386,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3
Power train: automatic transmission3
Visibility: windshield3140,000 mi
Wheels3
Electrical system: horn2
Electrical system: ignition2
Engine and engine cooling: engine229,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe262,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module198,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1117,000 mi
Equipment: electrical195,280 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting: turn signal1
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Parking brake1
Parking brake: conventional1
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1
Seat belts1100,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Structure1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Tires175,170 mi
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1
Wheels: rim1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.