IllustrationPROVIDE IN DETAIL WHAT SAFETY DEFECTS THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN THE SUMMARY. *AK
1985 Buick Skylark
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Skylark years →Counts vary with age, sales 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 6 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 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 2 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
6 reportsHI! I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS APPLICABLE IF I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY...CAR JUST DIED, NO PROBLEM WITH RESTARTING, JUST LIKE NO FUEL GOING TO MOTOR, AFTER COOLING DOWN FOR A WHILE , IT WAS "OKAY"MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO GET A CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, IN NOV./1999 AND NOW IN JA…
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HI! I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS APPLICABLE IF I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I WAS ON THE FREEWAY...CAR JUST DIED, NO PROBLEM WITH RESTARTING, JUST LIKE NO FUEL GOING TO MOTOR, AFTER COOLING DOWN FOR A WHILE , IT WAS "OKAY"MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. I FINALLY HAD TO GO TO GET A CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, IN NOV./1999 AND NOW IN JANUARY OF 2000, I NEED A NEW CONVERTOR, AGAIN. THE REPAIRMAN SAID IT WAS RUNNING TOO RICH, CAUSING THE INSIDE OF THE CONVERTOR TO MELT, AND THEN BREAK INSIDE. A NEW ONE IN 2 MONTHS??? PLEASE EXCUSE THIS PLEA IF I AM NOT SUPPOSE TO BE WRITING AS THE SECOND OWNER. THE FIRST OWNER WAS A LITTLE OLD LADY, AND THOSE ARE ORIGINAL MILES. I GOT THE CAR AT 16,500 MILES. YOU WOULD THINK IT WAS A GOOD THING TO HAVE SO FEW MILES...APPARENTLY NOT. HELP??!! THANKS IN ADVANCE. CAMIE GLEGHORN. *AK
ENGINE FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE.(OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM
STEERING; POWER STEERING, STEERING EFFORT INCREASES DURING COLD START TEMPORARY LACK OF POWER STEERING, CAN NOT MAKE A RIGHT TURN EA87-006. *AK
POWER STEERING FLUID IS NOT GETTING TO THE BRACKET. TT CONSUMER STATES STEERING BRACKET IS GOING OUT, POWER STEERING FLUID DOES NOT REACH BEARING, THIS IS WHAT CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT BUICK DEALERS CONSUMER STATES WHAT IS DANGEROUS ABOUT THIS, IS WHEN YOU WANT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS AND VEHICLE WANT STO CON…
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POWER STEERING FLUID IS NOT GETTING TO THE BRACKET. TT CONSUMER STATES STEERING BRACKET IS GOING OUT, POWER STEERING FLUID DOES NOT REACH BEARING, THIS IS WHAT CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY TWO DIFFERENT BUICK DEALERS CONSUMER STATES WHAT IS DANGEROUS ABOUT THIS, IS WHEN YOU WANT TO TURN RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS AND VEHICLE WANT STO CONTINUE TO GO STRAIGH. ALSO CONSUMER HAS A FUEL LEAK THE FUMES ARE COMING INSIDE VEHICLE VERY STRONG ODOR HAVE TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DOWN.*JB
HEATER FAILS TO HEAT VEHICLE PROPERLY. *SKD
Official recalls
184V132000 · Vehicle Speed Control:springs
Oct 16, 1984
THE THROTTLE LINKAGE MAY BIND BECAUSE DURING NORMAL OPERATION, THE THROTTLE BODY CASE MAY INTERFERE WITH THE LINKAGE. THIS INTERFERENCE COULD PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM CLOSING EVEN THOUGH THE DRIVER HAS REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT VEHICLES AND IMPROVE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE AND THROTTLE BODY CASING IF NEEDED, 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA91045 · Seat Belt Separation
Opened Nov 7, 1991 · Closed Oct 26, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA87006 · 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.======
EA86025 · Windshield Wipers
Opened Aug 25, 1986 · Closed Mar 2, 1988
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility
SUMMARY:GM BELIEVES THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED THROUGH ITS PUBLI-CATION OF 7 SERVICE BULLETINS CONCERNING THIS MATTER. IN ADDITION, GMDOES NOT BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE REPRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD.ANALYSIS: THREE FAILURE MODES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED; INSULATING FILM MAYBUILD UP BETWEEN THE BRUSH FACE AND THE COMMUTATOR OF THE WIPER MOTOR,CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE WIPER MOTOR BRUSH AND DISENGAGEMENT OF THEWIPER ARMS MAY OCCUR. IN VIEW OF THE EXISTING LEGAL PRECEDENT, THE LARGENUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS CONCERNING WIPER MOTOR FAILURES (114,000) ANDTHE HIGH WIPER MOTOR AND MOTOR KIT PART SALES (251,000), IT IS IMPERATIVETHAT THIS MATTER RECEIVE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT.STATUS: GM RESPONSE DATED 2/23/87. ANALYZING AS TIME PERMITS.EA CLOSED 3/2/88.=== D@