1997 Buick Skylark: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 79 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (15% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. The failure and the current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2014
“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. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start with the key in the ignition. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who diagnosed that the instrument panel cluster or central computer would need to be replaced. The contact was then referred to an authorized dealer for possible repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2013
“1997 buick skylark. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recall *tgw the consumer was informed there was a short in the wiring system which was causing the battery to die. The consumer referenced recall # 02v070000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 buick skylark. After parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that the water pump was leaking. There were no warning lights present prior to the failure. He checked the water and oil levels daily. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The failure mileage was 26,000 and current mileage was 27,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2008
“Power windows - very slow going up and down for the last two years. All 4 window regulators and motors have stopped working at the same time. Cannot put windows down to get out of car if it lands in a canal or waterway along the highway. Cost $500.00 a window to have them replaced. Friend has a 2002 buick and all 4 window regulators and motors do not work.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2005
“While driving 25 mph the passenger side air bag deployed inadvertently. The cause has not been determined. Please provide additional information. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2005
“When making a left hand turn steering wheel was hard to turn, and made a loud dragging noise. Dealerships mechanic was notified, but did not resolve the problem.*ak”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2004
“When it rains the car leaks. It has been doing this for a few years. Previously it was in a garage, so we don't no for sure how long this has been going on. We brought it to a garage to be fixed, they worked on the area of the cowl section. But couldn't fix it. Also the air conditioning never worked right and had to have a charge every year. Finally it quit all together. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2004
“While parking horn continuously sounded. The gear shift lever knob broke off. The dealership had to replace the entire air bag system in order to correct the horn failure and replaced the shifter knob. *ak *nlm”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2003
“Engine was running while vehicle was in park. Suddenly gear slipped out of park into reverse and vehicle hit a house. *ak *yh”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2002
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 7 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
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 UNIVERSAL PRESSURE REGULATORS (UPR) WERE PRODUCED WITHOUT AN O'RING AND RETAINER.
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.
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 PRODUCES ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT INTERNAL SWITCH PARTS.
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 AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737, BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.
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 REVERSED. THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE VEHICLE NOT RUNNING CORRECTLY (IDLE ROUGH AND/OR STALL) DUE TO AN OVERLY RICH FUEL BLEND OR THE VEHICLE'S EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CARBON CANISTER MAY LEAK FUEL.
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.
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 THE INSULATION ON THE NEGATIVE CABLE BECOMES SUFFICIENTLY WORN, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT CAN OCCUR BETWEEN THE POSITIVE TERMINAL AND NEGATIVE CABLE RESULTING IN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT FLOW.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Skylark by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Buick Skylark reliable?
NHTSA has 79 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Buick Skylark. The most complained-about area is electrical system (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Buick Skylark problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,033 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Buick Skylark have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.