1998 Buick Skylark: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 24 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
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 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. While parked, the vehicle was not able to start and the anti-theft warning light illuminated. The contact mentioned that it took multiple attempts to start the vehicle. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the starter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v036000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2015
“Tl* the contact was a passenger in a 1998 buick skylark. While driving approximately 50 mph, another vehicle ran a red light and crashed into the vehicle. The air bags deployed and a police report was filed. Due to the air bag deployment, the passenger sustained injuries to the eyes and the driver sustained injuries to the back that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed by the police department. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the front drivers side air bags deployed. No crash occurred and no injuries were reported. Neither the manufacturer, nor the dealer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 193,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2011
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“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 buick skylark. When it rained, water flooded the drivers side floor mat and pedals. Also the airbag light would illuminate on the instrument control after it rained. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealership. The failure mileage was 46000. Updated 1/28/10 *cn updated 02/03/10.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2009
“Dt: contact stated that on 7-11-05 had a new alternator put in. It failed on 8-13-05., and it was replaced on 8-14-05. It is not showing up on the tester as consistent. It was arching and draining the battery. The part number for the alternator was #8225-7. They will replace it in a certain amount of time; but that did not help the call now because car died the freeway. A mechanic told her they were putting bad regulators in these alternators. This included the following companies;: car quest, and bbb industries; 5640 commerce east, mobile, al 36619. Palladium; box 2710 ronoake, va 24001. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2005
“Consumer received recall 040025000 concerning ignition switch. Dealer charged consumer for replacing the ignition switch .*ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2004
“Lack of acceleration when driving, intermittently. Vehicle been to the dealer, and the problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Aug 2002
“Power window on the driver side failed to go up. Dealer notified ,and they informed that regultor motor needed to be replaced. Feel free to provide any further information.*ak”Owner report · Visibility · Jul 2002
“Consumer's vehicle will stall while traveling at any speed. When engine is warm and has been running, it is more likely to shut off. Dealership cannot determine cause of defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2001
“Front control arm bushing is coming loose at only 28,972 miles which could cause other related probelms. Dealer claims they are aware of defect. *ak *slc”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2001
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
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.
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 1998 Buick Skylark reliable?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Buick Skylark. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 1998 Buick Skylark have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:pressure relief devices. 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.