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
- 85
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 1996
None on file
21% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 85 complaints
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 | 48 |
| 1994 | 69 |
| 1995 | 86 |
| 1996 | 85 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 24 |
| 2000 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
21% · 18 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show 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, 2016-05-31
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, 2015-05-21
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, 2014-04-14
Service brakes
19% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Engine and engine cooling
19% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and emission control.
Electrical system
19% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Seat belts
9% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing anchorage and retractor.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1996Complaint volume 85 complaints filed for this model year.
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1996-11-04Air bags96V211000 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…
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…
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1997-01-06Steering96V249000 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.
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1998-02-28Interior lighting98V027000 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…
Remedy: Dealers will run a diagnostic test on the lamp control module and, if necessary, replace it.
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2002-03-27Electrical system02V070000 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…
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…
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2007-03-20Fuel system, gasoline07E015000 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…
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.
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2007-04-27Fuel system, other07E021000 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…
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.
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 18 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 16 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V211000 · Air bags
- Recall 96V249000 · Steering
- Recall 98V027000 · Interior lighting
- Recall 02V070000 · Electrical system
- Recall 07E015000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 07E021000 · Fuel system, other
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1996 Buick Skylark have?
- 6 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.