1997 Buick Skylark

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #02V070000March 6, 20021,589,948 vehicles affected

  electrical system: ignition: switch

  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.

  If the switch is damaged, a fire could occur in the steering column, even with the engine off and the key removed.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #97V059000April 8, 19973,464 vehicles affected

  electrical system: wiring: front underhood

  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.

  This high current flow Can cause arcing and result in an underhood fire.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #96V212000October 30, 1996245 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

  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."

  In the event of a rear end collision, the vehicle sheet metal structure will not perform as designed causing unexpected damage to the fuel tank or fuel lines, resulting in fuel leakage. If this is a fuel leak and an ignition source, a fire could occur.

  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.

Other model years

• 1991 38
• 1992 32
• 1993 46
• 1994 68
• 1995 85
• 1996 85
• 1997