MYRModel Year Report

1981 Buick Skylark

○ Not enough data
1981 Buick Skylark
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:34:33.479Z

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Buick Skylark Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1981 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 0 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1989: 4 complaints 1990: 19 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 69 complaints 1995: 86 complaints 1996: 85 complaints 1996 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 24 complaints 2000: 1 complaints 2000
1981: 1 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19800
19811
19823
19831
19848
19856
19868
19870
198814
19894
199019
199138
199232
199348
199469
199586
199685
199779
199824
20001

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 1 complaint on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 of 1 total report mentions: vehicle speed control, most commonly citing linkages.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR FAILED. *SKD

NHTSA ODI report, 19950615

Also filed under ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

SERVICE BRAKES

1 of 1 total report mentions: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

POWER TRAIN

1 of 1 total report mentions: power train, most commonly citing automatic transmission.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 of 1 total report mentions: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing carburetor system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 1 total report mentions: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing emission control.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19801109 — steering

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY THEN CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DETERIORATION AND EVENTUAL FA

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

Campaign 80V129000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19810331 — electrical system

THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPE

Remedy: A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.

Campaign 81V038000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19820520 — DP (closed 19821018)

TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING

I 19830323 — DP (closed 19830720)

LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM

I 19861216 — EA (closed 19880919)

POWER ST. ASSIST

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1981 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 80V129000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 81V038000 (electrical system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1992 ▲ 1991 ▲ 1993

WORST YEARS

◆ 1995 ◆ 1996 ◆ 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1981 Buick Skylark reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1981 Buick Skylark?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1981 Buick Skylark have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.