IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK
1988 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 →14Owner complaints
Model-year median: 3
3Recall campaignsView recall details →
2InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1988 Buick Skylark
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 14 owner complaints · 3 recall campaigns · 2 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)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3 reports
- Vehicle Speed Control: 3 reports
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
- Seat Belts: 2 reports
- Electrical System: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
- 92V150000 — Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
- 90V042000 — Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
- 87V169000 — Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
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
All reported categories
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 14 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.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.
3 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
Seat Belts complaints
2 reportsTHE FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT WILL NOT COME OUT OF THE DOOR. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
Recall campaigns
392V150000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Oct 19, 1992
FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN ANUNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
90V042000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Mar 5, 1990
FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY COULD CRACK OR SEPARATE AT THE COUPLING ON THE ENGINE END OF THE HOSE ASSEMBLY, ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: REPLACE FRONT FUEL FEED HOSE ASSEMBLY.
87V169000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
Oct 26, 1987
UNEXPECTED LOSS OF TAIL LAMP AND SIDE MARKER LAMP FUNCTION MAY OCCUR, REDUCING OTHER DRIVERS ABILITY TO SEE THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNINGIN CONDITIONS OF POOR VISIBILITY, SEVERE WEATHER OR NIGHTTIME.
Remedy: REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH PANEL.
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
2EA90041 · Brake Performance
Opened Aug 29, 1990 · Closed Mar 30, 1992
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
===
EA89010 · Brake Ineffectiveness
Opened Jan 17, 1989 · Closed May 8, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.