1996 Buick Skylark
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 0 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 3 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 8 |
| 1985 | 6 |
| 1986 | 8 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 14 |
| 1989 | 4 |
| 1990 | 19 |
| 1991 | 38 |
| 1992 | 32 |
| 1993 | 46 |
| 1994 | 68 |
| 1995 | 85 |
| 1996 | 85 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 24 |
| 2000 | 1 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
12% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
ON JULY 30 2008 THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED IN MY 1996 BUICK SKYLARK. I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. MINOR INJURIES BRUISES AND A SMALL CUT ON MY CHEST AREA.
NHTSA ODI report, 20080809
CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S NOTICE FOR AIR BAG DEFECT ON NOV./96 HAD THE REPAIRS DONE DEC./96.
NHTSA ODI report, 19970422
WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020903
8% of complaints: air bags — 7 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, ON MAY 5 2016, 10 PM, WENT OUT TO PUT WINDOWS UP IN CAR, VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY,OPENED DOOR, LEANED IN TO TURN ON KEY, WHEN I TURNED ON KEY, HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION, TWO THOUGHTS BEFORE I BLACKED OUT, THOUGHT I HAD BEEN SHOT & WHAT...
NHTSA ODI report, 20160531
THE AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THEN CAUSED THE HORN TO CONTINUOUSLY GO OFF. NOT FIVE MINUTES INTO MY DRIVE IT WENT OFF WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING FROM BEING STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20150521
WHEN CAR PUT IN REVERSE, AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING KNOT AND BRUISING TO ARM. 4/14/14 CALLED 800-222-1020 AND SPOKE TO FRANKLIN THAT STATED AIRBAGS ARE NOT COVERED EVEN FOR DEFECT AFTER WARRANTY OF CAR IS OVER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20140414
7% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH5% of complaints: seat belts — 4 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 4 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
DURING DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG, THE AIR BAG FABRIC CAN SNAG ON A REINFORCEMENT INSIDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CAUSING THE EXPANDING AIR BAG TO LIFT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD AND THEN DEPLOY U
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PADS AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A PLASTIC EDGE PROTECTOR TO THE INSTRUMENT PANEL PAD REINFORCEMENT. ON CERTAIN EARLY-PRODUCTION VEHICLES, THE INSTRUMENT PANE
Campaign 96V211000 — check if this car was fixed
THE STEERING COLUMN LOWER PINCH BOLT WAS NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED DURING ASSEMBLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN PINCH BOLT FOR CORRECT TORQUE AND, IF NECESSARY, TIGHTEN THE BOLT TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
Campaign 96V249000 — check if this car was fixed
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POTENTIAL FOR THE INTERIOR LAMPS TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE VEHICLES ARE BEING DRIVEN. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQU
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON THE LAMP CONTROL MODULE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IT.
Campaign 98V027000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE ENGINE FAILS TO START AND THE DRIVER HOLDS THE KEY IN THE "START" POSITION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD, HIGH CURRENT FLOWS THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND SOMETIMES P
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN
Campaign 02V070000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN DELPHI AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMP MODULES / MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES (MRA) THAT WERE SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. DURING PRODUCTION THE MRAS VENT AND FUEL RETURN TUBES WERE REVERS
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE MRAS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 1-877-335-7443.
Campaign 07E015000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN DELPHI FUEL PRESSURE REGULATORS, P/NOS. FP10020-11B1, FP10026-11B1, AND FP10027-11B1, SOLD AFTER JANUARY 9, 2007, AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE UNI
Remedy: DELPHI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE UPR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DELPHI AT 877-411-8770.
Campaign 07E021000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
1996 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (7 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 96V211000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 96V249000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 98V027000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V070000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E015000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E021000 (fuel system, other) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 1996 Buick Skylark reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Buick Skylark is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Buick Skylark?
The most-reported component is air bags:frontal, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Skylark have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.