1978 Buick SKYLARK: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
0 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1978 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
No owner complaints are recorded for this selection. A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
No usable records for this chart.
| Category | Count |
|---|
No records.
Pattern summary
There is not enough complaint evidence to summarize patterns.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
77V163000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1977-09-27 (September 27, 1977)
THE REAR AXLE SHAFTS ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A FLAW IN THE METAL. AS A RESULT, THE SHAFT MAY BREAK, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE TIRE AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL ONE OR BOTH NEW REAR AXLE SHAFTS, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗78V139000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 1978-06-13 (June 13, 1978)
THE HUB PORTION OF THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK DUE TO HIGH STRESS LEVELS GENERATED DURING ENGINE OPERATING CONDITIONS. EVENTUALLY, THE BLADE COULD BREAK APART AT THE HUB AND BLADE PIECES COULD BE PROPELLED INTO THE ENGINE. IF THE HOOD IS OPEN WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING, THE FRAGMENTS WOULD BE FREE TO FLY FROM THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE FAN BLADE ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
0 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 17.1% | 125.0% | 15.3%ODI 884075VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB | 513.2%ODI 551408POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE THE CONSUMER IS DRIVING. NLM | 39.4%ODI 704090WITHOUT WARNING THE HEAD GASKET BLEW AND IT THREW A ROD, BUICK SAID THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED IF THE HEAD WAS CRACKED BUT IT WASN'T WITH ONLY 74000 MILES ON THE CAR THIS SHOULD NOT OF HAPPENED BUICK ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE QUAD 4 MOTOR AND THE MANUFACTURE EXTENED THE WARRANTY ON THE ENGINE WITH THIS IN MIND THEY WILL NOT HELP I KNOW THAT THIS IS'NT A SAFETY ISSUSE DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE THANKYOU MAROFF | 36.5%ODI 8008368VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 50-60 MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK | 1116.2% | 910.6%ODI 558978THE VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A TAP IN THE MOTOR, THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS NO ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED TO STATE THAT THE VEHICLE IS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. *SLC | 44.7% | 78.9% | 28.3%ODI 712873PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. THE 1998 BUICK SKYLARK IS NOT LISTED IN THIS PROGRAM TO REQUEST RECALL INFORMATION. NOTE: DISREGARD ENGINE REMARKS (SEE THROTTLE CONTROL HEADING). | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.6%ODI 823339COMING UPON A STOP SIGN/LIGHT, VEHICLE WOULD START MAKING CLANKING NOISE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE STOPS SUDDENLY. HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. *AK | 412.5% | 510.9%ODI 800076WHEN GOING OVER 55MPH THE CAR SHAKES SO BADLY THAT IT THROWS THE DRIVER ALL OVER THE ROAD. THE ABS BRAKES FAILED,RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK | 57.4%ODI 800502IN PARK AND ABS LIGHTS COME ON. BRAKES FADE OR DELAY WHEN PEDAL IS PUSHED. *AK | 1112.9% | 67.1% | 1113.9%ODI 548074BRAKES LOCK UP ON TURN, WET SURFACES AND UNEVEN TERRAIN. VEHICLE EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTACE WHEN BRAKING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. NLM | 28.3%ODI 8016080ABS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. VEHICLE HAS TO BE SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED TO DISENGAGE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED PROBLEM ONCE, BUT IT SEEMED TO HAVE REOCCURD. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 321.4%ODI 814967WHILE DRIVING AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE TAKES OFF AND THE ONLY WAY THE VEHICLE WILL STOP IF THE DRIVER HIT SOMETHING. ALSO DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL PICK UP SPEED NOT WHEN VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL ROAD. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.3%ODI 884075VEHICLE HAS BEEN STALLING INTERMITTENTLY, MOSTLY AT 50 MPH. ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK. DEALER REPLACED CRANK SENOR ASSEMBLY.*JB | 615.8%ODI 478828THROTTLE DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR, FORCING DRIVER TO CONSTANTLY SLOW DOWN WITH BRAKES, RESULTING IN PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR. *SKD | 39.4% | 48.7%ODI 482981SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAIL TO RELEASE, CAUSING DRIVER/PASSENGER TO BECOME STUCK. | 11.5%ODI 981210VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE . *AK | 33.5%ODI 705600VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND IS UNRESPONSIVE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL. HAPPENS AT IDLE AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND MAIN COMPUTER MODULES IN DEC. 1998 TO CORRECT SAME PROBLEM. *MJS | 11.2%ODI 511782VEHICLE EXPERIENCES INTERMITTENT SURGING; ALSO, REAR WINDSHIELD GASKET/HORN/MIRROR CONTROL/TRANSMISSION/EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE FAILED. *AK | 45.1%ODI 10205314 · 123,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. HE THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND IT SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, BUT DID NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHUT THE ENGINE OFF COM… | 416.7%ODI 564800CONSUMER BEGAN TO PUT VEHICLE INTO PARK AFTER PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD, VEHICLE JUMPED A CURB, CRASHED THROUGH A WALL, AND THROUGH A COUPLE TABLES BEFORE COMING TO A STOP, 2 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.2%ODI 857842VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AT AN IMPACT OF 40-45 MPH, AND DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK | 57.4%ODI 8001249CONSUMER HAD A FRONT IMPACT CRASH AT 35 MPH, AND DRIVERS AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUFFERED KNEE AND BACK INJURIES, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED.*AK *SLC | 55.9%ODI 10031557THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND BURNED THE DRIVER'S ARM. THE CHILD IN FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT AND THE CHILD IN REAR WERE ALSO INJURED. *AK | 1011.8% | 78.9%ODI 10022941THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND NONE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK *CB *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 805592DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK | 125.0% | 210.5%ODI 100369451990 BUICK SKYLARK (QUAD 4 ENGINE)-CHRONIC STALLING DUE TO FAULTY LOCKUP TORQUE CONVERTER.COIL HOUSING WAS REPLACED 3X IN SIX YEARS .ALLDATA LISTS TECH. SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THESE PROBLEMS.LETTERS TO GM AND BUICK FIELD ZONE OFFICE SEEKING RESTITUTION RECEIVED NO RESPONSE WHATSOEVER.*AK | 37.9%ODI 873258WHILE DRIVING FOR AN EXTEND PERIOD OF TIME AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. OCCURRED 5 TIMES. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK | 39.4% | 12.2%ODI 805442OWNER STATES VEHICLE SHUTS OFF IN TRAFFIC FOR UNKNOWN REASON, HE ALSO NOTES THAT ONCE ENGINE SHUTS OFF VEHICLE IS HARD TO START AGAIN. *AK | 22.9%ODI 10166235 · 175,190 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ENGINE HESITATED, THEN STALLED COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING, AND POWER ASSIST BRAKING. AFTER BEING RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL MORE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ERVICE. PREVIOUSLY, THE ON-BOARD COMPUTER WAS REPLACED BY A SERVICE DEALER IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 12/01/06. *JB | 55.9%ODI 804451DURING VEHICLE OPERATION THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM OR SOLUTION. *AK | 22.4%ODI 709641SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR 01/17/97, I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS: EMERGENCHY/PARKING BRAKE POPS OUT WHEN PARKING THE CAR AND PUTTING PARKING BRAKE ON, BRAKES FAIL TO PERFORM PROPERLY AND BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN EXCESSIVLY, DASH BOARD (CHECK ENGINE, ABS, ETS, SEAT BELT LIGHT BLINKS WHEN WEARING AND DOESNT BLINK WHEN NOT WEARING OCCASSIONALLY, THEFT SYSTEM LIGHT COMES ON BUT I DO NOT HAVE A THEFT SYSTEM)AND DOME LIGHTS COME ON SPARATICALLY, SOMETIMES THE DOME LIGHT COMES ON WHEN CAR OF OFF AND NO ONE NEAR CAR, RECALL WAS PERFORMED SINCE THAN IT ONLY H… | 22.5%ODI 711168THIS CAR HAS BEEN STALLING OUT ALMOST FROM THE BEGINNING OF OUR PURCHASE. IT WAS A USED VEHICLE BUT IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP NUMERIOUS TIMES AND I KEEP GETTING TOLD IT IS A PHANTOM PROBLEM AND THEY CANNOT RECREATE IT AT THE SERVICE DEPT. I HAVE IN THE PAST THOUGHT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING THEIR JOB BUT AFTER A YEAR OF HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS CAR STALLS OUT MOST OFTEN WHEN IT HAS BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS - IT HAS STALLED IN FRONT OF A DUMP TRUCK FULL OF GRAVEL - HE M… | 14.2%ODI 10061668 · 93,000 miSOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE CRANK POSITION UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL START. THERE IS A DELAY IN STARTING. *AK | 1100.0%ODI 731513THIS CAR DIES OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN NUMOURS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I LOSE ALL POWER, BRAKES AND STEERING. THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR THE SAME SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. THE DEALER AND THE MFG. REFUSE TO REPURCHAS THE DEFECTIVE CAR. |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 11.5%ODI 872112WHILE DRIVING HORN WILL GO OFF UNEXPECTEDLY. HAD TO TAKE FUSE OUT IN ORDER FOR THE HORN TO STOP. DEALER SAID THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE HORN AND AIRBAG SYSTEM IN ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *AK | 55.9%ODI 10650040 · 90,000 miMY HORN STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WAS TRACED TO THE HORN SWITCH. MY MECHANIC COULD NOT REPLACE THE HORN SWITCH BECAUSE IT IS PART OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, WHICH HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I HAD TO HAVE A BYPASS SWITCH INSTALLED ON THE DASHBOARD, WHICH IS INCONVENIENT AND AWKWARD TO USE. IN MY OPINION, THE HORN IS A MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE THAN THE AIR BAG. I AM 71 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NEVER SEEN AN AIR BAG DEPLOY, BUT MY HORN HAS PREVENTED ACCIDENTS MANY TIMES. *TR | 78.2%ODI 10579622WHEN CAR PUT IN REVERSE, AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING KNOT AND BRUISING TO ARM. 4/14/14 CALLED [phone removed] AND SPOKE TO FRANKLIN THAT STATED AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED EVEN FOR DEFECT AFTER WARRANTY OF CAR IS OVER. CALLED BERGLUND LOCAL DEALER IN ROANOKE VA AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID $99 TO EVEN LOOK AT AIRBAG. CALLED INSURANCE AND FILED CLAIM AND ADJUSTOR SAID OBVIOUS DEFECT IN AIRBAG SINCE NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE TO CAR. WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE ME? I AM HANDLING THIS SITUATION FO… | 45.1%ODI 10038189 · 43,749 miWHILE PARKING HORN CONTINUOUSLY SOUNDED. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER KNOB BROKE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE HORN FAILURE AND REPLACED THE SHIFTER KNOB. *AK *NLM | 416.7%ODI 10115975I WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAG OF A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK (N BODY) DEPLOYED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, IN FACT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A BUILDING AND NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I SUSTAINED A BRAIN SHEAR INJURY AND I AM STILL RECOVERING. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED IN N BODY GM VEHICLES. GENERAL MOTORS PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED ME IN REGARD TO MY INJURIES OR LOST WAGES.(I WAS OUT OF WORK 2 MONTHS AND RECENTLY RETURNED ON A LIMITED BASIS. GENERAL MOTORS BLAMES THE DEPLOYMENT ON MO… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 26.3%ODI 722075I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, FUSIBLE LINK, AND STARTER WHEN THE IGNITION STARTED TO SMOKE/BURN WHEN STARTING IN THE PARKING LOT. THE REPLACEMENT STARTER FAILED 3 MONTHS LATER AND THE REPLACEMENT FUSIBLE LINK 4 MONTHS LATER. I HAVE ALSO HAD THE POWER WINDOWS REPAIRED 3 TIMES, THE POWER LOCKS TWICE, THE BATTERY TWICE, AND THE TURN SIGNAL/MULTIFUNCTION LEVER ONCE IN 3 1/2 YEARS. A POWER LOCK BROKE AGAIN A FEW WEEKS AGO. *AK | 24.3%ODI 8009482CONSUMER WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS MENTIONED IN RECALL 02-070-001 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER ADDS WITH VEHICLE IN PARK AND KEY REMOVED FROM IGNITION, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO RUN CAUSING THE ANTIFREEZE TO LEAK, HOSE TO POP OFF AND ALL SENSORS AND FAN MOTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TT | 11.5%ODI 826942WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING AND/OR THE LIGHTS, THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE KEY BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE DEALER WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK | 33.5%ODI 879064CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER, AND NOTICED A FUEL INJECTION LEAK. ALSO, BATTERY WAS GETTING VERY HOT, AND BURNING SMELL APPEARED IN PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT; AND SPARKS WERE COMING FROM LEFT SIDE OF IGNITION SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK | 44.7%ODI 10040337NHTSA RECALL 02-V-070-000: IF THE ENGINE FAILED TO START AND THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENTS FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH AND SOMETIMES PRODUCE ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM BURNING FOUR STARTERS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING WITHOUT A WARRANTY. *AK *SCC (THIS DOCUMENT IS AN ADD TO) *JB | 67.6%ODI 104333821997 BUICK SKYLARK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM WHICH WAS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DIE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 02V070000. | 28.3%ODI 10061611 · 82,000 miCONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING THE KEY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 112.5%ODI 510203ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ENGINE HEAD GASKET/ALSO OVERHEATED. *AK | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 958142THE HEAD GASKET BLOW AND ENGINE LOCKED UP NEEDS A NEW ENGINE. TT | 125.0% | 15.3% | 37.9%ODI 521908THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH FAILED CAUSING OIL TO SPRAY OVER THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 12.2%ODI 10097368VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *NM | 34.4%ODI 10029728CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 22.4%ODI 10071841 · 29,000 miWHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH ENGINE FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *AK | 22.5%ODI 8000747TIMING CHAIN HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. TENSIONER IS DEFECTIVE/ COLAPSES, AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. NO PROBLEM WITH TENSIONER.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1998: 7 complaints · 2000: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 16 | 8 | 0 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component |
|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.