MYRModel Year Report

1981 Buick Skylark

○ Not enough data
1981 Buick Skylark
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:14.419Z

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
1

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1981

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 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 complaint 2000
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 0 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 19 complaints 1991: 38 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 69 complaints 1995: 86 complaints 1995 1996: 85 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 24 complaints 2000: 1 complaint 2000
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1986 1987: 0 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1988 1989: 4 complaints 1989 1990: 19 complaints 1990 1991: 38 complaints 1991 1992: 32 complaints 1992 1993: 48 complaints 1993 1994: 69 complaints 1994 1995: 86 complaints 1995 1996: 85 complaints 1996 1997: 79 complaints 1997 1998: 24 complaints 1998 2000: 1 complaint 2000

1981: 1 complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-06-15

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

2 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    1980-11-09Steering80V129000 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…

    Remedy: The dealer will inspect and, if necessary, replace the hoses and inlet pipe and add a clip at no charge to owner.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    1981-03-31Electrical system81V038000 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…

    Remedy: A new ground cable will be installed free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    1982-05-20Defect petitionClosed 1982-10-18 Trans. Lockups and trans. Hard shifting
  4. I
    1983-03-23Defect petitionClosed 1983-07-20 Locked power steering system
  5. I
    1986-12-16Engineering analysisClosed 1988-09-19 Power st. Assist

Buy-smart checklist

1981 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 1 report on file for this year.
  • Power train: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 80V129000 · Steering
  • Recall 81V038000 · Electrical system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.