MYRModel Year Report

1988 Buick Skylark

○ Not enough data
1988 Buick Skylark
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:39.494Z

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
14

Too few to rank

Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 1988

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 1984 1985: 6 complaints 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 0 complaints 1988: 14 complaints 1988 14 1989: 4 complaints 1990: 19 complaints 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 1985 1986: 8 complaints 1987: 0 complaints 1988: 14 complaints 1988 14 1989: 4 complaints 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 1987: 0 complaints 1987 1988: 14 complaints 1988 14 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

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 1997-08-04

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, 1997-10-27

Engine and engine cooling

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

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    1987-11-04Exterior lighting87V169000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    1989-01-17Engineering analysisClosed 1990-05-08 Brake ineffectiveness
  3. R
    1990-03-29Fuel system, gasoline90V042000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    1990-08-29Engineering analysisClosed 1992-03-30 Brake performance
  5. R
    1992-11-03Fuel system, gasoline92V150000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. 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

1988 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Vehicle speed control: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
  • Seat belts: 2 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 87V169000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 90V042000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 92V150000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • 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 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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.