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1986 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 →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 3

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
1
19838
19846
19858
19860
198714
19884
1989
Compare all Skylark years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
2Equipment
2Seat Belts
2Electrical System
1Structure
1
All reported categories
Visibility
1Wheels
1

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: 2 of 8 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 →
  • Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. 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 reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Equipment complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
72,060 miles · Jun 21, 2004
EquipmentStructure

I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT. I COMMUTE ABOUT 50 MILES TO SCHOOL AND BACK. I WAS IN BRICK NJ ON RT 70 ABOUT TO ENTER THE PARKWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY HOOD. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I WAS USING GALLONS OF COOLANT IN MY CAR. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND OPENED MY HOOD SO THE CAR COULD COOL. IT WAS THEN DRIVE ABLE TO THE N…

Read full complaint

I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT. I COMMUTE ABOUT 50 MILES TO SCHOOL AND BACK. I WAS IN BRICK NJ ON RT 70 ABOUT TO ENTER THE PARKWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY HOOD. BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I WAS USING GALLONS OF COOLANT IN MY CAR. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND OPENED MY HOOD SO THE CAR COULD COOL. IT WAS THEN DRIVE ABLE TO THE NEAREST MECHANIC WHERE HE REPLACED MY INTAKE GASKET. DURING THE DURATION OF THIS DAY EVENT I HAD TO MISS 1 CLASS AND HAD TO ASK MY FATHER TO DRIVE ME SO I WOULDNT MISS MY OTHER TWO EXAMS FOR THE DAY. THE INTAKE COST ME 527.35. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10078537

197,967 miles · Jan 15, 2004
Equipment

ELECTRONIC DASHBOARD FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10071285

Official recalls

1

88V014000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch

Jan 8, 1988

UNDER EXTENDED HEADLAMP USAGE, CIRCUITRY IN THE HEADLAMP SWITCH PANEL MIGHT EXPERIENCE INCREASED RESISTANCE AND EXCESSIVE HEAT BUILDUP.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: HEADLIGHTS WOULD CYCLE ON AND OFF. SUDDEN LOSS OFHEADLIGHTS UNDER SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTIMER DRIVING CONDITIONS COULD RESULTIN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH WITH MODIFIED SWITCH.

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

2

EA91045 · 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

PE91099 · Safety Belt Cut At D-RING

Opened Jul 15, 1991 · Closed Nov 7, 1991

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts

There is no summary currently available