MYRModel Year Report

1986 Buick Skylark

○ Not enough data
1986 Buick Skylark
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:45:50.244Z

Only 8 complaints 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 8 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
8

Too few to rank

Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 1986

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 8 1987: 0 complaints 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 1982: 3 complaints 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1986 8 1987: 0 complaints 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 1982: 3 complaints 1982 1983: 1 complaint 1983 1984: 8 complaints 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1986 8 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

1986: 8 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 8 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Seat belts

2 of 8 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing retractor.

Show complaint excerpts

Driver's side seat failure, seat belt will not come out of its housing. Tt

NHTSA ODI report, 1995-07-18

Equipment

2 of 8 total reports mention: equipment, most commonly citing tank valve/gauge and electrical.

Show complaint excerpts

I am a college student. I commute about 50 miles to school and back. I was in brick nj on rt 70 about to enter the parkway when I saw smoke coming out of my hood. Before this happened I was using gallons of coolant in my car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-06-21

Also filed under Structure

Electronic dashboard failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Engine and engine cooling

2 of 8 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing engine and cooling system.

Show complaint excerpts

Engine failure due to a defective engine head gasket/also overheated.

NHTSA ODI report, 1996-10-18

Wheels

1 of 8 total reports mentions: wheels.

Visibility

1 of 8 total reports mentions: visibility, most commonly citing switch/wiring.

Show complaint excerpts

Windshield wipers will not stay on , have to hold switch in when driving. Had vehicle in for repair of windshield wipers and they still won't work.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-03-11

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1988-02-11Exterior lighting88V014000 Under extended headlamp usage, circuitry in the headlamp switch panel might experience increased resistance and excessive heat buildup.

    Remedy: Replace headlight switch with modified switch.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1991-07-15Preliminary evaluationClosed 1991-11-07 Safety belt cut at d-ring
  3. I
    1991-11-07Engineering analysisClosed 1992-10-26 Seat belt separation
  4. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1986 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Equipment: 2 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 88V014000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 1986 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 1986 Buick Skylark?
The most-reported component is seat belts, accounting for 25% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1986 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.