MYRModel Year Report

1988 Buick Skylark

○ Not enough data
1988 Buick Skylark
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:36:15.608Z

Only 14 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 14 complaints 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, 1988 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 1988 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
1988: 14 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 14 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 of 14 total reports mention: vehicle speed control.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE 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

NHTSA ODI report, 19970804

SERVICE BRAKES

3 of 14 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASH
SEAT BELTS

2 of 14 total reports mention: seat belts, most commonly citing anchorage.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 of 14 total reports mention: fuel system, gasoline, most commonly citing fuel rail and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AND CAR CUT OFF, RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. RAISED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. INSURANCE EXPERT SAID CAUSE OF FIRE WAS FROM FUEL FEED HOSE .

NHTSA ODI report, 19971027

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 14 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19871104 — exterior lighting

UNEXPECTED LOSS OF TAIL LAMP AND SIDE MARKER LAMP FUNCTION MAY OCCUR, REDUCING OTHER DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL.

Campaign 87V169000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19890117 — EA (closed 19900508)

BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS

R 19900329 — fuel system, gasoline

FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 90V042000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19900829 — EA (closed 19920330)

BRAKE PERFORMANCE

R 19921103 — fuel system, gasoline

FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.

Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 92V150000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1988 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (3 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for seat belts issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 87V169000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 90V042000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 92V150000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) 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 1988 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 1988 Buick Skylark?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1988 Buick Skylark have?

4 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.