Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Buick Skylark

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 111 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 97V059000

Electrical system: wiring: front underhood

Component
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
3,464
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-08
Owners notified
1997-04-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS HIGH CURRENT FLOW CAN CAUSE ARCING AND RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE VEHICLES FOR THE PRESENCE OF THE PROTECTIVE COVER AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PROTECTIVE COVER TO THE UNDERHOOD FUSE CENTER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V212000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
245
Reported to NHTSA
1996-10-30
Owners notified
1996-11-11

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR THE MISSING WELDS AND, IF NECESSARY, PLACE THREE WHELDS BETWEEN THE INVOLVED PANELS APPLYING PRIMER, SEALER AND ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip11—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8—
Air bags: frontal755,033 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch6—
Air bags443,749 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch4—
Vehicle speed control4123,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Electrical system254,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: horn27,082 mi
Electrical system: ignition2—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine2—
Seat belts2—
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Steering26,500 mi
Structure: body: door2—
Suspension: rear2—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber2—
Visibility: power window devices and controls285,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Engine and engine cooling126,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift143,749 mi
Service brakes160,000 mi
Service brakes, air1—
Service brakes, air: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic155,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Structure1100,000 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Unknown or other1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices1—
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 3 times as many 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.