IllustrationBRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS.
1981 Buick Skylark
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →1Owner complaints
Model-year median: 3
2Recall campaignsView recall details →
3InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1981 Buick Skylark
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 1 owner complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 3 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 1 reports
- Fuel System, Gasoline: 1 reports
- Power Train: 1 reports
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1 reports
- Vehicle Speed Control: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 81V038000 — Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
- 80V129000 — Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Skylark years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsRecall campaigns
281V038000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
Mar 24, 1981
THE ENGINE-TO-BODY GROUND CABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING MANUFACTURE. THE CABLE COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK DUE TO THE RELATIVE MOTION BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND BODY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: A NEW GROUND CABLE WILL BE INSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE.
80V129000 · Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections
Oct 8, 1980
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITH THE POWER STEERING HOSE INCORRECTLY ROUTED. THE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY THEN CONTACT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, RESULTING IN DETERIORATION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE HOSE AND LEAKAGE OF POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE HOSES AND INLET PIPE AND ADD A CLIP AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
3EA87006 · Power St. Assist
Opened Dec 16, 1986 · Closed Sep 19, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER:GM HAS DEVELOPED A SPLITRING FIELD REPAIR KIT AND IS EXTENDING THE WARRANRY ON ALL 1982-84 A,J, AND X, BODY CARS AND 1985 C,BODY CARS.THE WARRANTY APPLIES TO CARSTHAT ARE FOR 50,000 MILES OR 5 YRS.IT INCLUDES REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUSREPAIRS.ANALYSIS:WEARING OF THE RACK AND PINION HOUSING AND LOW AMBIENT TEMPCAN CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF POWER ASSIST.TEFLON O RINGS FAIL TO SEALOFF INTERNAL PRESSURE.STATUS:EVALUATING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OFFER BY GM.======
DP83008 · Locked Power Steering System
Opened Mar 23, 1983 · Closed Jul 20, 1983
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
LOCKED POWER STEERING SYSTEM
DP82010 · Trans. Lockups And Trans. Hard Shifting
Opened May 20, 1982 · Closed Oct 18, 1982
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
TRANS. LOCKUPS AND TRANS. HARD SHIFTING
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.