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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 1995–2000

Buick Skylark recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 274 owner complaints for the Buick Skylark, covering model years 1995 to 2000. The 1995 and 1996 model years drew the most complaints (85 each), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Buick Skylark VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 8 recall campaigns on file
  • 274 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (1995–2000)
  • most complaints: 1995, 1996 (85 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (65 complaints)
  • latest recall 04V036000 (reported Jan 27, 2004)
  • 24 complaints reporting a crash (8.8%)
  • 5 complaints reporting a fire (1.8%)
  • 23 complaints reporting an injury (8.4%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Buick Skylark complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 1995 and 1996 model years share the highest count, 85 complaints each. Next come 1997 (79) and 1998 (24). The fewest are for 2000, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Buick Skylark owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 1995–2000Column chart of 274 complaints across 6 model years. The highest are 1995, 1996 with 85 each. The full figures are in the table below the chart.1995: 85 complaints8519951996: 85 complaints8519961997: 79 complaints7919971998: 24 complaints2419981999: 0 complaints19992000: 1 complaint12000
Buick Skylark complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Buick Skylark complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
1995857440
1996857180
1997798070
1998242040
200010000
All model years274245230

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Buick Skylark components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 65 complaints (23.7% of all 274), followed by Service Brakes, Hydraulic (48) and Air Bags (46).

Components named most often in Buick Skylark complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Buick Skylark complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System6523.7%
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4817.5%
Air Bags4616.8%
Engine and Engine Cooling3813.9%
Seat Belts176.2%
Vehicle Speed Control176.2%
Exterior Lighting165.8%
Power Train134.7%
Structure124.4%
Visibility103.6%
Steering93.3%
Unknown or Other82.9%
Equipment72.6%
Suspension72.6%
Seats62.2%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Buick Skylark recalls

8 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Skylark, newest first. The 8 campaigns cover model years 1995 to 1998. The 1996 model year appears in the most campaigns (4).

  • 8 recall campaigns
Buick Skylark recall campaigns covering each model year
1995: 1 campaign1996: 4 campaigns1997: 3 campaigns1998: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 04V036000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model year 1998

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    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 authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, Pontiac at 1-800-620-7668, Buick at 1-866-608-8080, or oldsmobile at 1-800-630-6537. Customers can also check their vehicle online by going to www.mygmlink.com and entering the vehicle's identification number.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 02V070000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Ignition › Switch

    Model years 1996–1997

    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.

    Consequence:
    If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 00V287000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Starter Assembly

    Model year 1995

    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. If the engine starter fails to engage and the driver hold the key in the "start" position for an extended period, high current flows through the ignition switch, producing heat that can melt switch parts.

    Consequence:
    A fire could occur in the steering column and spread to the interior of the car.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will install a relay kit and verify that the vehicle will start with a properly charged battery in good operating condition (adequate reserve capacity, or cold cranking amps). This campaign does not cover battery replacement or unrelated starting system or electrical system repairs.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 98V027000

    Reported

    Interior Lighting

    Model year 1996

    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."

    Consequence:
    The interior lamps coming on unexpectedly could startle a driver causing a momentary loss of control increasing the risk of a vehicle accident.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 97V059000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood

    Model year 1997

    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.

    Consequence:
    This high current flow can cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  6. NHTSA campaign 96V249000

    Reported

    Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Model year 1996

    The steering column lower pinch bolt was not properly tightened during assembly.

    Consequence:
    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.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect the steering column pinch bolt for correct torque and, if necessary, tighten the bolt to the specified torque.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  7. NHTSA campaign 96V212000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly

    Model year 1997

    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."

    Consequence:
    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.
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

  8. NHTSA campaign 96V211000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal

    Model year 1996

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.
    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.

    Filed by General Motors, LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Buick Skylark questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Buick Skylark have?

NHTSA lists 8 vehicle recall campaigns for the Buick Skylark, covering model years 1995 to 2000. The most recent, 04V036000, was reported on January 27, 2004 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 1996 model year is covered by the most campaigns (4).

Which Buick Skylark model year has the most complaints?

The 1995 and 1996 model years tie, with 85 complaints each out of 274. The next are 1997 (79) and 1998 (24). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Buick Skylark complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 65 complaints, or 23.7% of all 274. Service Brakes, Hydraulic (48) and Air Bags (46) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Buick Skylark?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Buick dealer.

How many Buick Skylark complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 274 complaints, 24 report a crash, 5 a fire, 23 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Buick models

8 models · most complaints first

The Buick models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Buick VIN decoder with every Buick model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Buick models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.