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: 8 of 24 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.
Electrical System. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports
What owners actually said
24 reports
138,000 miles · Feb 23, 2016
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO START AND THE ANTI-THEFT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V036000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10837851
96,000 miles · Jul 16, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK …
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TL* THE CONTACT WAS A PASSENGER IN A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. DUE TO THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE EYES AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10734483
185,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
MANIFOLD GASKET FAILED, LEAKING COOLANT INTO ENGINE OIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10440082
193,000 miles · Jul 5, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO CRASH OCCURRED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER, NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 193,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410566
46,000 miles · Dec 9, 2009
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK. WHEN IT RAINED, WATER FLOODED THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR MAT AND PEDALS. ALSO THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL AFTER IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46000. UPDATED 1/28/10 *CN UPDATED 02/03/10.
NHTSA ODI #10295131
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2005
Electrical System
DT: CONTACT STATED THAT ON 7-11-05 HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR PUT IN. IT FAILED ON 8-13-05., AND IT WAS REPLACED ON 8-14-05. IT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE TESTER AS CONSISTENT. IT WAS ARCHING AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE ALTERNATOR WAS #8225-7. THEY WILL REPLACE IT IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME; BUT THAT DID NOT H…
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DT: CONTACT STATED THAT ON 7-11-05 HAD A NEW ALTERNATOR PUT IN. IT FAILED ON 8-13-05., AND IT WAS REPLACED ON 8-14-05. IT IS NOT SHOWING UP ON THE TESTER AS CONSISTENT. IT WAS ARCHING AND DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE ALTERNATOR WAS #8225-7. THEY WILL REPLACE IT IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME; BUT THAT DID NOT HELP THE CALL NOW BECAUSE CAR DIED THE FREEWAY. A MECHANIC TOLD HER THEY WERE PUTTING BAD REGULATORS IN THESE ALTERNATORS. THIS INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING COMPANIES;: CAR QUEST, AND BBB INDUSTRIES; 5640 COMMERCE EAST, MOBILE, AL 36619. PALLADIUM; BOX 2710 RONOAKE, VA 24001. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10133015
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2005
Air BagsInjury
I WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAG OF A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK (N BODY) DEPLOYED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, IN FACT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A BUILDING AND NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I SUSTAINED A BRAIN SHEAR INJURY AND I AM STILL RECOVERING. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED IN N BODY GM VEHICLES. GENERA…
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I WAS INJURED WHEN THE AIRBAG OF A 1998 BUICK SKYLARK (N BODY) DEPLOYED WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, IN FACT THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN A BUILDING AND NOT EVEN IN MOTION. I SUSTAINED A BRAIN SHEAR INJURY AND I AM STILL RECOVERING. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER INCIDENTS WHERE THIS OCCURRED IN N BODY GM VEHICLES. GENERAL MOTORS PAID FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE BUT HAS NOT CONTACTED ME IN REGARD TO MY INJURIES OR LOST WAGES.(I WAS OUT OF WORK 2 MONTHS AND RECENTLY RETURNED ON A LIMITED BASIS. GENERAL MOTORS BLAMES THE DEPLOYMENT ON MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. I LIVE IN WESTERN NEW YORK WHERE WITH OUR WEATHER IT IS IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO HAVE MOISTURE ON THE FLOOR. ONE OF THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED A DEPLOYMENT IS ALSO INJURED. PLEASE LOOK IN TO THIS MATTER AS THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY IS VERY GREAT. THANKS MIKE HALL PS I HAVE THE PARTS FROM THE DEPLOYMENT THAT I WAS INVOLVED IN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10115975
93,000 miles · Mar 9, 2004
Electrical System
SOMETIMES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE DRIVER HAS TO HOLD THE KEY IN THE CRANK POSITION UNTIL THE VEHICLE WILL START. THERE IS A DELAY IN STARTING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10061668
85,000 miles · Mar 8, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 040025000 CONCERNING IGNITION SWITCH. DEALER CHARGED CONSUMER FOR REPLACING THE IGNITION SWITCH .*AK
NHTSA ODI #10061614
82,000 miles · Mar 8, 2004
Electrical System
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. WHEN TURNING THE KEY VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *AK
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE SWITCH IS DAMAGED, A FIRE COULD OCCUR IN THE STEERING COLUMN, EVEN WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND THE KEY REMOVED. THE FIRE COULD SPREAD TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR, WHICH COULD INJURE OCCUPANTS OR CAUSE DAMAGE TO ADJOINING STRUCTURES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RELAY KIT IN THESE VEHICLES TO PREVENT HIGH CURRENT FROM FLOWING THROUGH THE IGNITION SWITCH, AND CHECK THAT YOUR CAR WILL START WITH A PROPERLY CHARGED BATTERY AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN ON MARCH 1, 2004. 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 1-800-630-2438, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CHECK THEIR VEHICLE ONLINE BY GOING TO WWW.MYGMLINK.COM AND ENTERING THE VEHICLE'S IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1998 Buick Skylark Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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