1997 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
- 79
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1997
None on file
28% of complaints
Complaints per year
1997: 79 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.
Service brakes
28% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Show complaint excerpts
The entire time I have owned this car, there have been issues with the ABS - especially when the road is wet and driving down hill.
NHTSA ODI report, 2015-05-24
Electrical system
20% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing switch and ignition.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Buick Skylark. The contact stated that the anti-theft system would activate independently, causing the vehicle to stall without warning. The failure was recurring with the illumination of the anti-theft warning light.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-04-02
Engine and engine cooling
15% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and engine.
Air bags
15% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and side/window.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Buick Skylark. The contact stated that the air bags deployed unexpectedly. A police report was not filed and an injury was sustained. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-10
Air bag light illuminated. Dealer found nothing wrong. Vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident which caused vehicle to hit a telephone pole. Upon impact, front air bags did not deploy. Driver was wearing a seat belt.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-08-13
The vehicle was involved in a frontal collision while driving at 30 MPH and none of the air bag deployed. Dealer notified.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-12
Vehicle speed control
8% · 6 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and cables.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 Buick Skylark. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle would not stop.
NHTSA ODI report, 2007-10-10
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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1996-11-11Fuel system, gasoline96V212000 During assembly of the left rear quarter panel, some welds were missed. This does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 301, "Fuel system integrity."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for the missing welds and, if necessary, place three whelds between the involved panels applying primer, sealer and anti-corrosion materials.
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1997Complaint volume 79 complaints filed for this model year.
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1997-04-30Electrical system97V059000 The protective cover for the underhood fuse center was omitted. Without this cover, the positive terminal bolt on the fuse block is exposed and can contact the insulated negative battery cable. If…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect these vehicles for the presence of the protective cover and, if necessary, install a protective cover to the underhood fuse center.
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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
1997 Buick Skylark — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 22 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 12 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V212000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 97V059000 · Electrical system
- 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 1997 Buick Skylark reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Buick Skylark is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1997 Buick Skylark?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1997 Buick Skylark have?
- 5 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.